Carennac
Encyclopedia
Carennac is a commune
in the Lot department in south-western France
.
Carennac belongs to the historical region of Quercy
.
A village lies in the fertile valley of the Dordogne River
, nestled under the barren, parched plateau locally named 'le Causse'. Its most remarkable landmarks are a medieval priory, combining an eleventh century church and cloister, and a 16th century castle, in which famous author of The Adventures of Telemachus, François Fénelon
, lived from 1681 to 1685. The church features a remarkable tympanum
, and the cloister a 15th century "mise au tombeau".
(along with 148 others, including neighbouring Loubressac
, Autoire
, Curemonte
and Turenne
). The surroundings of the village are of equal picturesque charm: the Dordogne's quick waters attract canoe enthusiasts in droves, the valley's corn fields, walnut groves and ancient villages make for a perfect setting for outdoor activities, such as camping, riding and trekking. The Causse plateau is strewn with chasms and caves. The summer months are notably warm and dry, temperatures averaging 30°.
(pilgrimage) sites. Other notable landmarks are the Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
, the Castle of Montal and the prehistoric caves of Lacave
and Presque. Further on, Sarlat-la-Canéda
, Brive-la-Gaillarde
, Cahors
and Aurillac
are regional hubs. The A20 motorway (linking Paris
to Toulouse
and Spain
) lies 30 km (18.6 mi) away from Carennac. The closest railway station is 4 km (2.5 mi) away, in Bétaille.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Lot department in south-western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Carennac belongs to the historical region of Quercy
Quercy
Quercy is a former province of France located in the country's southwest, bounded on the north by Limousin, on the west by Périgord and Agenais, on the south by Gascony and Languedoc, and on the east by Rouergue and Auvergne....
.
A village lies in the fertile valley of the Dordogne River
Dordogne River
The Dordogne is a river in south-central and southwest France.-Name:Contrary to appearances, the name of the Dordogne is not a recent word resulting from the names of the Dore and the Dogne...
, nestled under the barren, parched plateau locally named 'le Causse'. Its most remarkable landmarks are a medieval priory, combining an eleventh century church and cloister, and a 16th century castle, in which famous author of The Adventures of Telemachus, François Fénelon
François Fénelon
François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon, more commonly known as François Fénelon , was a French Roman Catholic archbishop, theologian, poet and writer...
, lived from 1681 to 1685. The church features a remarkable tympanum
Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element....
, and the cloister a 15th century "mise au tombeau".
Activities
Carennac is one of the most beautiful villages of FranceLes Plus Beaux Villages de France
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France is an independent association, created in 1982, which aims to promote assets of small and picturesque French villages of quality heritage...
(along with 148 others, including neighbouring Loubressac
Loubressac
Loubressac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, Autoire
Autoire
Autoire is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, Curemonte
Curemonte
Curemonte is a commune in the Corrèze department in central France.It is a medieval village characterised by its three castles. In a fortified position on a ridge overlooking a valley on both its eastern and western flanks, the village has historically had a strategic importance in the...
and Turenne
Turenne, Corrèze
Turenne is a commune in the Corrèze department in the Limousin region in central France. It is characterised by its height and unique position on top of a cliff....
). The surroundings of the village are of equal picturesque charm: the Dordogne's quick waters attract canoe enthusiasts in droves, the valley's corn fields, walnut groves and ancient villages make for a perfect setting for outdoor activities, such as camping, riding and trekking. The Causse plateau is strewn with chasms and caves. The summer months are notably warm and dry, temperatures averaging 30°.
Surroundings and access
A few kilometres from the village lie the famous Gouffre de Padirac (caves) and RocamadourRocamadour
Rocamadour is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France. It lies in the former province of Quercy.Rocamadour has attracted visitors for its setting in a gorge above a tributary of the River Dordogne, and especially for its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin...
(pilgrimage) sites. Other notable landmarks are the Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
The Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux is a castle in the commune of Prudhomat, Lot département, France. One of the most impressive in the Quercy region, it has been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1862.-History:...
, the Castle of Montal and the prehistoric caves of Lacave
Lacave, Lot
Lacave is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
and Presque. Further on, Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat-la-Canéda , or simply Sarlat, is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.Sarlat is one of the most attractive and alluring towns in southwestern France.-Geography:...
, Brive-la-Gaillarde
Brive-la-Gaillarde
Brive-la-Gaillarde is a commune of France. It is a sub-prefecture of the Corrèze department. The population of the urban area was 89,260 as of 1999. Although it is by far the biggest commune in Corrèze, the capital is Tulle.-History:...
, Cahors
Cahors
Cahors is the capital of the Lot department in south-western France.Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or peninsula...
and Aurillac
Aurillac
Aurillac is a commune in the Auvergne region in south-central France, capital of the Cantal department.Aurillac's inhabitants are called Aurillacois, and are also Cantaliens or Cantalous in Occitan....
are regional hubs. The A20 motorway (linking Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) lies 30 km (18.6 mi) away from Carennac. The closest railway station is 4 km (2.5 mi) away, in Bétaille.