The 11 things to do in Conques

Discover a selection of the best things to visit in Conques during your visit to one of the most beautiful villages in France!

Nice step on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route , Conques is a pretty city nestled in a green setting. This makes it a lovely jump in time by discovering its picturesque alleys and half-timbered houses that witnessed a medieval era that marked the place considerably.

Fold in its authenticity-filled town and surprise you with the richness of its cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage. Extasted in front of its colorful landscapes and practice outdoor activities allowing you to enjoy as much as possible the surrounding nature. Museums, historical monuments, religious buildings... Here is a selection of uncontournable to do and to visit in Conques for a stay of the most medieval.

1. The Abbey Church of Saint-Foy

Built around the 11th and 12th centuries by the abbé Odolric , the Abbey Church of Saint-Foy has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1840 and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. From its facade — where is splendidly carved Final Judgement - in its interior decorated since 1994 by the fantastic Pierre Soulage stained glass , she visits, she contemplates herself, she admires herself under all seams. Raise your eyes, be curious!

You will discover, as you progress, the slightest architectural details that make it a masterpiece of Romanesque art in France: its 250 Romanesque capitals hiding on the lower part and the Tribunes, its arcs, its Romanesque grids, its majestic pillars and much more.

2. La Chapelle Saint-Roch

Dating from the 16th century, the chapel of Saint-Roch is a testimony of the resurgence of power of the abbey of Conques between the 15th and 16th century. But, beyond its historical status, we move there to admire a magnificent panorama. From the top of its rocky eagle, instead of a primitive castle overlooking the confluence of the Ouche and the Dourdou, it offers visitors a breathtaking view of the village. You may not be disappointed with the displacement!

3. The Château d’Humières

Built in the 16th century by Guy d’Humières, the eponymous castle is a construction of the 16th century composed of a main logis body, which accompanies a stair tower and windows to begs. Far from being imposing, it blends perfectly among the old buildings that make up the village. A real must for architecture lovers who will be delighted to observe his irregularities. A detail due to the challenge of mountain planning.

4. The Porte de Vinzelle

Many buildings in Conques recall its medieval past, and the Porte de Vinzelle — erected at the end of the 12th century — do not derogate from it. Once an opening on the neighboring regions along the Lot in the direction of Figeac and Cahors, it is today an amochous arcade, a vestige of a defensive system having been replaced by a house with doves at the end of the Middle Ages.

5. Sports activities

When you come to visit Conques, between two cultural visits, let yourself be tempted by the many activities available on site. Hiking to kayak rides, fishing and cycling, there is for all tastes!

Hiking

In order to visit the region under all its seams, the hikes remain a must-see during your getaway to Conques. Heat your best walking shoes and explore its surroundings. A starting point for several circuits, including the Chemin du Dadon and the Chapelle Sainte-Foy, you can discover the richness of its heritage in a different way.

Kayak

With family or friends, you will be delighted to take a canoe-kayak ride in the Lot Valley where, by descending the stream, you will have the opportunity to admire a variety of breathtaking landscapes where the skylined cliffs meet the river lined with lush vegetation.

Cyclotourism

Do you have the calves tightened? Therefore, initiate yourself to cyclotourism and take pleasure in pedaling on the different paths winding through a palette of extraordinary panoramas! A fun and ecological way of swiping the region and going to discover its multiple secrets.

Fishing

Renowned to be an ideal fishing spot, the Lot Valley will make the happiness of the Sunday and most seasoned fishermen. The fishing complex located in Grand-Vabre just a few kilometres from Conques is the perfect example. Pikes, carps, sandstones... catches may be good. Get ready, fish!

6. The Bancarel Website

Put the course on the south of the city and find one of the must-sees in Conques: the Bancarel site. Overlooking the village, it is a perfect point of view to marvel at a picture of all beauty where the abbey, medieval houses, Marcillac vineyards and dense green vegetation blend harmoniously. One thing is certain, once at the top of this big rock, you will have full eyes!

7. The bridge over the Dourdou

By taking GR 65 from the centre of Conques, and after passing the Barry's door you will fall nose-nose with the famous Roman bridge. Ranked Historical Monument since 1930, it was a place for pilgrims wishing to join Santiago de Compostela. Nowadays you can pass through it to observe the waters of the Dourdou that it ejaculates or to arrive at the Chapel of Sainte-Foy.

8. The medieval village

It is impossible to visit Conques without walking through the historic streets of this ancient fortified city. Walk through the centuries by observing its architecture, a very beautiful footprint left by the Middle Ages. Let her, through your wanderings, reveal all her little secrets and typical places that helped build her legend. Bread oven, lauze roof, wooden pan... Visit Conques guarantees you a real jump in time.

9. The Chambers of Light

Push the door of the former convent of Saint-Cyprien, and find a surprising set of pieces where dance the lights of Bastien Carré : the Chambers of Light. Let yourself be seduced by the variety of sculptures and installations that carry you in another dimension where dream and poetry are the master words. A real must to visit during your visit to Conques.

10. The Nocturnes

We talked to you about the Abbatiale Sainte-Foy and his famous tympan lové on his façade. The Nocturnes are an opportunity to rediscover the latter through a remarkable visual and artistic demonstration. Rediscover, thanks to a progressive revelation of the colours, this scene of the last judgment where all the characters composing it — angels, elected, damned and demons — is animated in the eyes of the spectators.

11. The Joseph-Fau Museum

Located in the square of the church, in the heart of an old building, the Joseph-Fau Museum is an interesting stop to discover the unique heritage of Conques. With collections mainly from the former abbey, he shows to visitors sculptures, woodworks, tapestries from Felletin, but also a part of the capitals of the Roman cloister.

How to get to Conques?

Convinced by our must-sees, would you like to visit Conques? Therefore, you have to plan your arrival, and so choose your means of transport. Several possibilities are available to you:

The train

To get to Conques via the train, the easiest way is to reach the station Rodez . Once on site, you can take the line 223 the liO bus (2€ the ticket) or book a taxi to arrive at your final destination.

The plane

To get to Conques on the plane, you will have to land in Rodez. Careful, this is a small airport. Therefore, the search for tickets can be complicated, and the latter expensive. Thus, we advise you to use a hotel comparison such as Skyscanner, which will facilitate this research work.

The car

You don't want to use public transport? Therefore, the car remains the best option to get to Conques. But in itself, the car will also be indispensable in case of public transport. Indeed, to visit Conques and its surroundings, it is mandatory or almost to own a vehicle. Think about renting one.

Several roads serve the village. From Paris , for example, you will have to borrow it A20 , while at the start of Montpellier It will be A75 .

Where to stay in Conques?

Small village with a little less than 2,000 inhabitants, Conques therefore does not enjoy an unlimited choice of tourist accommodation. However, a few pretty addresses — such as hotels, hostels or guest rooms — hide for your greatest pleasure. Find the most suitable accommodation by using a Compare hotels . Indeed, it will take your criteria into account and show results accordingly. Finally, you can also opt for a Airbnb , in order to live the stay of the most local ways.

From now on, visiting Conques is a game of children, thanks to all this information. Good trip to the Aveyron!