Saint Cirq Lapopie

The Camino Trail

As you’re walking around this beautiful village, consider the fact that almost nothing has changed since the middle ages. The same hotels, B&Bs & restaurants. The only difference is that there are now more tourists than pilgrims. It’s one of those towns where you get an instant ‘feel’ for its past.

History

During the middle ages, the region was controlled by the feudal dynasties of 3 main families. The Lapopies, the Cardaillacs and the Gourdons. Yes, the same as the town we live in. As a result, the village has become dominated by fortified houses and castles built between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries by the different families. Even now, there remains the fortified castle gates at the bottom of the village, put there to provide protection to the villagers.