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Gourdon (Lot)

Visit Gourdon (Lot), Midi-Pyrenees

Gourdon is in the Lot department of the Midi-Pyrenees, near the border with the Dordogne - Sarlat is 25km to the north-west. (Wrong Gourdon? see Gourdon, Provence!)

Historically Gourdon was an important town and had four monasteries at one time. The town was given by Count Raymond I of Toulouse to the Gourdon family in 961 but they were nearly wiped out in 1189 by Richard the Lionheart. Rumour has it that the family were avenged by a surviving son who fatally shot Richard in the shoulder at the siege of Chalus.

Explore Gourdon

Gourdon is a pleasant little town built of honey coloured stone and set on a hill so that it can be seen for miles around.

Start your visit at the top of Gourdon and the ‘table of orientation’ allowing you to identify the surrounding sites and enjoy the lovely view. Just below is the imposing St Pierre's church that was built in the 15th century and dominates the skyline of Gourdon.

Below the church you have a warren of little streets with medieval houses and some interesting shops to explore.

Another interesting church in Gourdon is the Church of Notre-Dame des Cordeliers, dating from the 13th century. The imposing square clocktower was added at the end of the 19th century.

You will see other interesting monuments, such as the Maison Cavaignac with a decorative renaissance entrance and the 16th century Maison du Senechal and many other buildings in the local yellow stone.

Continue walking and you can browse though the shops of the more modern town. To make sure you don't miss anything pick up a brochure from the tourist office and follow walk number 1 and walk number 2 to see the main points of interest.

Gourdon is a good size town and would make a good base to explore nearby sites in Lot and the Dordogne.

Attractions near to Gourdon

Uzech - proper name Uzech-les-Oules, known for its pottery, and above all the 'epis de faitage', mini painted and glazed pottery 'towers' to protect the top corners of a roof, and often very decorative;

The Cougnac caves (Grottes de Cougnac) feature extensive rock formations (stalactites etc) and also the oldest prehistoric paintings of animals that are open to the public.

Gourdon is set in attractive countryside, and there are numerous small villages to discover nearby. Often without major highlights, but each with its own charm and personality, located in particularly attractive surroundings, or with lovely views across the Lot countryside. Be sure to visit some of these: Saint-Germain-du-Bel-Air; Saint-Projet; Concorès; Saint-Clair; Saint-Cirq-Souillaguet; Peyrilles; Saint-Chamarand; Lamothe-Cassel; Montamel and Saint-Cirq-Madelon.

Photos of Gourdon (Lot) (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Gourdon (Lot): Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Gourdon (Lot), France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: La Roque-Gageac 16km; Chateau de Castelnaud 19km; Rocamadour 19km; Chateau de Beynac 19km; Beynac 19km; Chateau des Milandes 21km; Chateau de Puymartin 21km; Martel 22km; Abri de Cap Blanc 26km; Saint-Cyprien 27km; Gramat 27km; Saint-Amand-de-Coly 29km; Carennac 29km; Turenne 30km; Belves 30km; Font-de-Gaume 31km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Gourdon (Lot)

Gourdon (Lot) tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye Sainte Marie (Souillac) - religious monument (11km) : Jardins du château de Caudon - remarkable garden (14km) : Eglise notre-Dame de Nativité (Cenac-et-Saint-Julien) - religious monument (14km) : Cathédrale Saint-Sardos (Sarlat) - religious monument (15km) : Jardins de Marqueyssac - remarkable garden (17km) : Jardins de l'Albarède - remarkable garden (17km) : Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac - remarkable garden (18km) : Jardin de la Daille - remarkable garden (18km) :