Caylus lies on the slope of a rocky hill, with its medieval alleyways; above them, the remains of a castle rise up. When planning a stay in Caylus, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture and History
The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is classified as a historic monument; its present-day structure dates essentially from the 14th century. The market hall in Caylus was built in 1505 and declared a historic monument in 1900. Eighteen octagonal stone pillars support a remarkable roof structure and a four-sided slate roof.
The Christ de Zadkine was created between 1950 and 1953 by Ossip Zadkine in his studio in Les Arques. The sculpture was carved from an elm trunk from the forests of Quercy and is more than 5.40 metres high. The Gauléjac Pavilion is a 15th-century residential building with a polygonal stair tower and a flamboyant-style portal.
The square Old Tower is all that remains of the former royal castle; it overlooks the town and is crowned by a terrace. Rue Droite runs through the former castle moat and offers views of medieval stone or half-timbered buildings. The Maison des Loups takes its name from its wolf-shaped gargoyles.
Nature
The Petrifying Waterfall has been a protected site since 1942. It is a geological feature formed by tufa deposits from carbonate-rich water.
Lake Labarthe lies in a valley basin designated as an Espace Naturel Sensible. Fishing, walking and picnicking are possible there; there is also a botanical nature trail, an orientation board and a playground. Swimming is prohibited.
Trails and Sightseeing
The Cirque de Labarthe is the starting point of the PR3 hiking trail and provides access to the medieval village of Caylus. The Black Swift Trail at Lake Labarthe is an easy 1.9-kilometre circular route taking two hours.
The Church of Saint-Symphorien was founded in 1011 and is a 15th-century priory with a miraculous spring. Saint-Symphorien is the starting point for hiking trails; visits are possible by arrangement or during the European Heritage Days.
From the tourist information office, visitors can follow an explanatory walking tour through Caylus using a town map.
Further destinations in the directory: Mirabel, Vaïssac, Fabas, Loze, Canals, Montfermier, Monclar-De-Quercy, Caussade
