Revival of a quaint Quercy village
Nestled in the historic Quercy region, in the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park, the village of Saint-Cernin du Causse is an ideal starting point for exploring this beautiful, unspoiled area.
Located near iconic Quercy sites such as Rocamadour and Padirac Chasm (40kms); Figeac (48kms); Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (34kms); Cahors (28kms) and Cabrerets in the Célé Valley (20kms), the village is a perfect base for tourists.
You can easily access these destinations while enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside, far from the tourist crowds.
The village has garnered admiration, particularly from British expatriates, who have carefully restored and breathed new life into its charming old houses, and have also contributed to the restoration of the village church, thus injecting a new dynamism into the community.
The surprising and colourful church of Saint-Cernin du Causse
The unassuming facade of the Eglise de Saint-Cernin du Causse, a church built in 1846 and enlarged in 1870, contrasts sharply with its vibrant interior.
Passing through the old wooden door and climbing the time-worn stone steps, you indeed discover an interior that is truly a marvel of contemporary stained glass, its luminous hues illuminating the intricately carved frescoes that adorn the walls and pillars.
The nave and side chapels, skillfully painted, house a polychrome statue of Christ, his hands raised in blessing.
One of the church’s treasures is a breathtaking fresco, meticulously restored, that adorns the nave’s vault and was painted at the end of the 19th century by the local artist Henri Petit.
The church also boasts a bell whose origins date back to 1303. But its origins are a true mystery. No one knows if it came from an old church or if it was brought from afar!
Department of Lot
Coordinates: Lat 44.598868 – Long 1.584807
Credits: Photos are ©melangedmagic – Evelyn Jackson – Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Header by Thierry46 CC BY-SA 3.0
