Fontanes: Churches, Garriottes and Rural Paths

Fontanes offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: two churches with their own architectural styles, stone village details, a natural area near the town centre and the Circuit des saveurs. If you are looking for a hotel in Fontanes, you can plan your trip around these themes. Fontanes-Lalbenque railway station is located in the commune of Fontanes. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Churches and architectural styles

The Église Saint-Clair was built at the end of the 15th century and remodelled in the 18th century. Its vault has two small domes with octagonal bases. The first bay—a section of the church interior—contains carved corbels and keystones from the 15th century. The construction date, remodelling and older carved elements mark different periods in the history of the building. This means that details of individual architectural elements sit alongside information about the overall form of the vault.

The Église Saint-Cevet is defined by its location and ground plan: it stands alone on a hill about three kilometres from the village, overlooking the plateau. Its ground plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and the church has a ribbed vault. Its approximate distance from the village and its position on the hill give this church a distinctive connection to the surrounding landscape.

Traditional buildings in Fontanes are made of dressed stone, sometimes with small amounts of brick. Another local architectural feature is the garriotte: a small vaulted structure built entirely of stone, formerly used by shepherds for shelter. Some are still in good condition. These buildings’ former practical use can be distinguished from their present state of preservation.

Village details and landscape

On a walk through Fontanes, you can spot pigeonniers and see restored wells. A washhouse stands in a meadow shaded by ash trees near the school. There is also a preserved and restored natural area close to the town centre. These offer several points of interest for planning your visit: village details to see on a walk, a washhouse by the school and a natural area near the centre.

The Circuit des saveurs adds a route through the countryside to the village’s points of interest. It is accessible to horse riders and mountain bikers, and passes through truffle groves, by small dry-stone structures and through damper areas. These different features make the route a distinct attraction alongside the churches and stone buildings. If you include the route in your travel plans, treat the activities and places as separate topics: the information about horse riders and mountain bikers refers to the Circuit des saveurs.

Culture and events

Fontanes Art et culture offers concerts, activities and exhibitions. If you would like to plan your stay around an event, check the specific dates for your trip. A municipal events calendar lists an event at Saint-Cevet in late May or early June, featuring a walk on the Circuit des saveurs and a gourmet meal. Dates may vary from year to year; check a current announcement before planning to attend.

The Fête de Fontanes is listed in the municipal programme as a two-day event on the first Sunday in September. If you are planning a trip for the festival, check the latest announcement beforehand. This will help you plan your visit without treating the dates listed as a guarantee of the current programme.

Discover more destinations: Le Boulvé, Lacam-D'ourcet, Lentillac-Du-Causse, Mayrinhac-Lentour, Issepts, Mayrac, Luzech, Puy-L'evéque

For the broader travel overview: Lot.