Caylus: Medieval Lanes, Architecture and Nature

Those looking for a hotel in Caylus can choose a destination whose medieval lanes, historic buildings, and nature and hiking options appeal to a range of interests. The townscape, architectural history, and surrounding landscape offer different focal points for a stay.

The medieval townscape

Caylus’s medieval lanes climb the slope of a rocky hill, above which the remains of a castle stand out. Rue Droite runs through the former castle moat and offers views of medieval stone and half-timbered buildings. The lanes bring together a variety of historic architectural features, so the townscape cannot be reduced to a single architectural style.

The Maison des Loups is another of Caylus’s notable buildings. It takes its name from gargoyles shaped like wolves, a reference to a specific detail of the building.

Churches, the market hall and historic architecture

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is classified as a Monument historique; its present structure dates largely from the 14th century. The market hall in Caylus was built in 1505 and designated a Monument historique in 1900. Its remarkable roof structure and four-sided slate roof are supported by eighteen octagonal stone pillars. Its construction date and later protected status mark two distinct chapters in its history.

The Pavillon Gauléjac is a residential building dating from the 15th century. Its architectural features include a polygonal stair tower and a portal in the Flamboyant style. The square Old Tower is what remains of the former royal castle. It overlooks the town and is topped by a terrace.

The Christ of Zadkine represents a different period. Ossip Zadkine created it between 1950 and 1953 in his studio in Les Arques. The figure, more than 5.40 metres tall, was carved from an elm trunk from the forests of the Quercy. Its artist, creation period, material, and size give the work a profile distinct from that of the medieval buildings.

Geology, nature and trails

The Petrifying Waterfall has been a protected site since 1942. Its distinctive feature is geological: tufa deposits form as a result of carbonate-rich water. Geology, as well as architectural history, is therefore a possible focus for a stay in Caylus.

Lake Labarthe lies in a valley basin designated an Espace Naturel Sensible (sensitive natural area). Visitors can fish, walk and picnic there, and there is also a botanical educational trail, an orientation board and a playground. Swimming is prohibited. The Black Swift Trail at Lake Labarthe is an easy 1.9-kilometre loop that takes two hours.

The Cirque de Labarthe is the starting point for the PR3 hiking trail and provides access to the medieval village of Caylus. Saint-Symphorien is also a starting point for hiking trails. The Church of Saint-Symphorien was founded in 1011 and is a 15th-century priory with a miraculous spring. Visits are possible by appointment or during the European Heritage Days.

Finding your way around town

From the tourist information office, you can follow an explanatory walking tour of Caylus using a town map. This lets you explore the town while discovering the different features of its buildings and history.

For the regional travel overview: Tarn-Et-Garonne.