Discover Vayrac: Uxellodunum and Saint-Martin

Vayrac brings together a range of things to consider when planning a stay: the Uxellodunum oppidum, Saint-Martin Church, walking routes and outdoor activities, as well as markets. If you’re looking for a hotel in Vayrac, you can decide whether culture, outdoor pursuits or everyday local life should shape your plans most.

Uxellodunum and the history of the oppidum

The Uxellodunum oppidum is located on the Puy d’Issolud plateau in Vayrac and Saint-Denis-Lès-Martel. It was the last Gallic town to resist Caesar’s legions during the conquest of Gaul in 51 BC. The site therefore marks a significant chapter in Gallic history.

Archaeological excavations uncovered Gallic and Roman weapons, including arrowheads, pila and catapult bolts. The Musée d’Uxellodunum in Vayrac displays a model of the oppidum and also houses archaeological finds, including a ballista and arrowheads. The model and artefacts offer different ways to explore the oppidum and its historical traces.

Saint-Martin Church: reconstruction and fortification

Saint-Martin Church was completely rebuilt at the end of the 15th century or the beginning of the 16th. It was designed as a fortified church: a masonry wall-walk ran along the top of the apse; sentry posts on the buttresses and surviving corbels from machicolations are also among its documented features.

An account published in 2020 mentions a bell in the bell tower dating from 1512. It bears a Gothic inscription and low-relief carvings, including a depiction of Saint Martin of Tours. The rebuilding period and the bell point to different aspects of the building’s and church’s history, so you need not limit your cultural focus to the oppidum.

Valley, roads and routes

Vayrac lies in a broad valley of the Dordogne, which continues along its tributaries, the Maumont and Sourdoire. On the left bank, the limestone Causse de Gramat plateau and the picturesque village of Mézels, with its scree slopes, shape the landscape around Vayrac. Road connections are also easy to identify: Vayrac can be reached via the D820 from Brive and the D803 towards Souillac.

Vayrac has several hiking trails supported by the Caminols Vayracois association. Check the routes’ availability again locally. The Espace Loisirs des Granges has a mountain-bike course and a playground for children and adults. The leisure area is freely accessible at no charge. Individual facilities may be changed or maintained seasonally; check locally for any temporary access restrictions.

“L’incontournable” is a canoe and kayak trip departing from Vayrac. As seasonal operating dates may change, it is advisable to check them before making plans. The swimming area on the Dordogne is open to everyone all year round, but is not supervised. Before swimming, check seasonal information about supervision and safety.

Markets and products from the Lot

Markets in Vayrac are held on Thursday and Saturday mornings at Place du 11 Novembre. Take public holidays and seasonal exceptions into account when planning. Another way to discover local produce is Les Fermiers du Haut Quercy in Vayrac: the shop brings together 15 producers from the Lot and offers meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and wine. Product availability varies by season.

You can tailor your stay to a range of interests: Uxellodunum and Saint-Martin offer different ways to explore history, while hiking trails, the leisure area and the Dordogne add outdoor activities. Markets and the offerings at Les Fermiers du Haut Quercy provide another connection to everyday life and products from the Lot.

Discover more destinations: Esclauzels, Saint-Martin-Labouval, Puyjourdes, Sauzet, Comiac, Montbrun, Saint-Laurent-Les-Tours, Lunegarde.

For the main travel overview: Lot.