Autoire

Visit Autoire, Midi-Pyrenees

Autoire, a classified 'most beautiful village of France', is to the north-east of Rocamadour and in the north of the Lot department of the Midi-Pyrenees (so accessible also from the eastern Dordogne or southern Auvergne regions, between which it is squeezed).

The village is set in the attractive countryside of the region, with vineyards and fruit trees, forested hills and limestone cliffs looking down on the village and is a quiet, very attractive Quercy village in the traditional light stone of the area, with several colombage buildings.

Exploring Autoire

The village isn't very large - a 'main street' through the centre and a small road that winds up the steep hill behind the village - but it is pretty close to perfect, with a lovely mix of houses and buildings around the central square and fountain, and a small church.

Behind the church there is a small belvedere with views along the valley in which Autoire is situated. Many of the buildings have unusual and interesting features - keep an eye out especially for some lovely decorative stone windows.

It's hard to define the appeal of Autoire, but it is one of those villages that simply belong where they are, a lovely ensemble of traditional buildings in a lovely setting - hence the number of artists who tend to be attracted by the village. The village is best visited in spring, when it has a widespread reputation for the flowers that fill the streets and gardens.

There are also a couple of restaurants in Autoire - we had a good 'standard' lunch in one, while the other also has an outdoor terrace.

Attractions nearby

The most important attraction close to Autoire, and visible from the village, is the waterfall and the cirque d'Autoire, an impressive 30 metre high cascade in one of the gorges that split the land in the region, from which there are also fine views down the valley to the village below. Below the waterfall is a pretty, verdant pond.

Other walks through the rocky landscape, where you will see small caves and splendid views of the village, are also recommended and climb up the hill through the centre of the cirque, so you are in the middle of the 'horseshoe' of the cirque with a very lovely view down to the village in the valley below.

You might like to visit nearby Chateau de Montal (perhaps best known as home to the Mona Lisa during World War 2) and Chateau de Castelnau-Bretenoux after you have finished exploring Autoire.

Other classified beautiful villages close to Autoire include Carennac, Curemonte, Loubressac and Turenne.

Photos of Autoire (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Autoire: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Autoire, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Carennac 10km; Gramat 11km; Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne 14km; Lacapelle-Marival 16km; Curemonte 17km; Rocamadour 17km; Martel 19km; Assier Chateau 20km; Cardaillac 24km; Collonges-la-Rouge 26km; Souillac 27km; Argentat 28km; Turenne 29km; Figeac 33km; Maurs 34km; Gourdon (Lot) 35km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Autoire

Autoire tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Gouffre de Padirac - site of natural beauty (5km) : Eglise de Saint Pierre (Carennac) - religious monument (10km) : Abbaye Sainte Marie (Souillac) - religious monument (27km) : Causses du Quercy - regional natural parc (33km) : Gouffre de la Fage - site of natural beauty (36km) : Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac - remarkable garden (41km) : Jardins du château de Caudon - remarkable garden (48km) : Cathédrale Saint-Sardos (Sarlat) - religious monument (48km) :

French version: see Autoire (Francais)