Presentation of Carennac in the Lot
Carennac is a French commune located in the Dordogne Valley in the Lot department, in the Occitanie region. It is situated 50 km northeast of Gourdon.
Carennac in the Lot was a medieval village clustered around the church of Saint-Sernin, and subject to the Abbey of Cluny. The parish thus became a priory under the influence of the abbey, and oversaw the construction of the 11th-century church of Saint Peter. The Château des Doyens, built in the 16th century (1681-1685), was home to Fénelon.
A church, a castle, a cloister, and even an island: Carennac in the Lot region invites you to explore every twist and turn of the Dordogne Valley's "Land of Art and History" by canoe, on foot, or by car.
Appreciate the history of the village
The priory, relegated to agricultural use, and the village's decline were marked by the French Revolution. The priory, which escaped ruin, was restored in the 20th century. A soaring array of turrets and tall chimneys against the sky evokes all the beauty of a village designated a "Land of History and Art," which makes Carennac a special destination in the Lot region.
In Carennac, you can also relive the era of the boatmen on the Dordogne River, who traveled down the river aboard "gabares" (flat-bottomed boats). Flat-bottomed boats transport timber to Bordeaux, and later bring back wine, salt, and exotic goods.
In fact, Christian Signol set his trilogy "La rivière Espérance" (The River of Hope) here, which was adapted for television in the summer of 1995 by Josée Dayan.
You can also see:
- The 11th-century Church of Saint-Pierre and its sculpted tympanum
- The chapter house followed by a 15th-century Entombment of Christ
- The cloister, a blend of Romanesque and Flamboyant Gothic styles
- The Deans' Castle
Tourist attractions and events around Carennac in the Lot
Several tourist activities are available around Carennac in the Lot region. For festivities, numerous cultural events are organized by the Saint-Céré Festival. In early August, there is an open-air theater and cinema event, organized by the Friends of Carennac. After August 15th, the village festival takes place on the first Sunday. Exhibitions are held from spring to November. In November, there is a sculpture workshop, and the Christmas market is held in the cloister in December.
Must-see places near Carennac in the Lot region, tourist sites to visit: There is the Church of St. Peter (a religious monument) in Carennac. 7 km away is a site of great natural beauty called the Padirac Cave. Castelnau-Bretenoux Castle (a national monument) and some of the most beautiful villages are 8 km away: Loubressac, Curemonte (9 km), and Autoire (10 km). A Montat Castle (a national monument) is 12 km away. A major French landmark called Rocamadour is 16 km away. An animal park or zoo (Le Rocher des Aigles) is also 16 km away. Other beautiful villages include Collonges-la-Rouge (17 km) and Turenne (19 km).
What to do during your visit to Carennac in the Lot
Carennac in the Lot is one of the most beautiful villages in France, but what can you do in this village and what to do near Carennac in the Lot too? There are attractions to visit near Carennac as mentioned above.
In Carennac, there is a rocky terrace which is a few kilometers from Martel and Souillac in Haut Quercy. Carennac governs the Dordogne river and stretches along a long and beautiful bank, well decorated with old wooden boats. There are also many places to discover, such as the courtyard of the priory of Carennac, the church of St Pierre and its sculpted tympanum. There is also the incredible cloister of the monastery, the Château des Doyens de Carennac.
How to get to Carennac from La Bourgnatelle campsite in Bretenoux?
It is very easy to get to Carennac during your stay at La Bourgnatelle campsite in Bretenoux. Indeed Carennac is located 10 minutes by car from the campsite. The departmental road D918 is the main road which connects Bretenoux to Carennac. It is a pleasant panoramic road to discover the beautiful landscapes of the Lot.