Saint-Come-d'Olt

Visit Saint-Come-d'Olt, Midi-Pyrenees

Saint-Come d'Olt is a village about 25 kilometres north-east of Rodez, in the Aveyron department of the Midi-Pyrenees on the banks of the Lot River. It is a pretty village, and well worth a visit if you are in the region.

The village is classed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France' and is also on the popular pilgrimage route that leads from Le Puy-en-Velay to Santiage de Compostella (in Spain).

Exploring Saint Come d'Olt

Enter the village through one of the original gateways through the fortifications. These are the Porte Neuve, the Porte Malimande and the Porte Theron (the first two are original while the third is a reconstruction, identical to the original gateway).

The historic centre of Saint-Come d'Olt is very compact and has lots of attractive medieval buildings squeezed in to the small space, centred around the church and the surrounding streets.

The church of St-Come-d'Olt in the centre of the village was constructed in the early 16th century in the gothic style. Look at the heavy and ornamented wooden doors and statues in the entrance then look skyward - a very unusual aspect of the church is the spire, which is twisted (perhaps not the technical term!) from top to bottom - there are very few churches of the design to be found. (In fact no one even knows if the design is intentional or accidental.)

The other main building in the centre is the Chateau de Castelnau. The castle was built in the 12th century, the towers were added in the 14th century, and the building was substantially modified in the renaissance style during the 15th century to make it more comfortable for living in - apart from the towers it has the appearance of a manor house rather than a medieval castle.

The castle is currently the Town Hall for the village.

You can also see the Chapel of Penitents on the edge of the village. This roman style church was originally the main church for the parish, and the destination for pilgrims passing through. The porch and small belltower are more recent additions (15th and 18th century respectively).

Just along the Rue de la Bouisse from the chapel is a small memorial called the Ouradou. This was erected in tribute to those who died when the plague arrived in the village in 1586, killing three quarters of the population.

Before leaving the village stroll down to the river and cross the bridge for a nice view back across the river and rooftops of Saint-Come-d'Olt.

Attractions nearby

After exploring Saint-Come-d'olt take a drive up the hill opposite to see the 'lava flow' - a curious sight, where an enormous 'river of rock' spreads down the hillside, surrounded by trees and fields. A very unusual and interesting sight, a nice picnic spot alongside, and your children can enjoy clambering over the massive rocks!

Theer are numerous other villages in the Lot valley and surrounding countryside - among those close by in the Lot Valley you can visit Espalion, Sainte-Eulalie d'Olt and Estaing (the last two are also 'most beautiful villages of France). A little further west but worth the journey is Conques, another pilgrimage centre.

See Midi-Pyrenees and Aveyron (the region and department for Saint-Come-d'Olt) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Saint-Come-d'Olt: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Saint-Come-d'Olt, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Entraygues 24km; Rodez 26km; Severac-le-Chateau 30km; Conques 34km; Vieillevie 35km; Marvejols 38km; Gorges du Tarn 40km; Belcastel 41km; Mourjou 43km; Aumont Aubrac 44km; Marcoles 47km;

Saint-Come-d'Olt tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin d'Eden du château du Colombier - remarkable garden (25km) : Cascade du Déroc - site of natural beauty (25km) :

See more places and a map at places near Saint-Come-d'Olt