Albas, Lot: tourism & sightseeing
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Visit Albas (Midi-Pyrenees, France)
Photo GalleryThe village of Albas is in southern France, on the Lot river between Puy l'Eveque and Cahors. Usually a quiet village, Albas becomes very lively during its well known wine festivals.
Visiting Albas
The highlights of a visit to Albas, if truth be told, are mostly the views from outside the village! If you approach the village from the east there is a lovely view of the village, river and cliffs a few hundred metres before you actually arrive, and from the west you can cross the bridge for a very scenic view across the river to the church and Chateau de la Blainie.
You can find another very scenic view across Albas and the Lot valley if you follow the signs to the viewpoint (table d'orientation) from the village centre, which takes you high up a hill above the village.
Back in the centre of Albas, the village has a small central square from where it is easy to explore. The principal monument is the church that dominates the centre: this church dates from the middle ages although it has been substantially altered over the centuries, including the belltower rebuilt at the end of the 19th century, so has rather lost the charm of the roman style church that once stood here.
From the front of the church, if you look across the village to the row of stone houses along the hillside, the building to the right of these with a tower is the 19th century Chateau de la Blainie, built by an important French politician and Inspector of Armies called Etienne Pagés.
There are two other castles in Albas: one is the Chateau d'Albas, a 13th century fortress now largely in ruin except for two gateways, and the other is the Château du Port, acrss the river below the village, which is a typical 19th century neo-classical castle.
France This Way comment: although there are several monuments here, Albas is not really a tourist destination but rather a place to stop for a look at the views as you explore the Lot Valley.
Albas wine festivals
The village becomes much more lively for the annual "Fête du vin de Cahors", a wine festival held towards the end of May and a chance for visitors and locals to sample several wines from local producers in a convivial atmosphere.
Attractions nearby
Outside the village (but still in the commune of Albas) a more interesting church is the roman style church at Cénac, built in the 12th century and recently renovated.
The nearby town of Prayssac is lively on Friday, market day. A little further, you will certainly enjoy a visit to the pretty village at Puy-l'Eveque, a short distance downstream to the west, and a chance to explore the historic centre of Cahors to the east.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Lot guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Albas
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Map of Albas and places nearby
Visit near Albas with France This Way reviews
... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Lot
Address: Albas, Luzech, Cahors, Midi-Pyrenees, 46140, France || GPS: latitude 44.469444, longitude 1.2375
Plan your visit to Albas, Lot
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Cahors Pont-Valentré (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (16 km)
- Cahors: secteur sauvegarde (16 km)
- Jardins secrets de Cahors: remarkable garden (16 km)
- Cahors cathédrale St Etienne (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (17 km)
- Jardin du Pèlerin: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Lauzerte: most beautiful village (25 km)
- Jardin de la Daille: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Eglise de Notre-Dame (Lacour): religious monument (30 km)
- Monpazier: secteur sauvegarde (36 km)
- Abbaye de Saint Maurin (Saint-Maurin): religious monument (40 km)
- Cayriech: ville fleurie 4* (41 km)
The French version of this page is at Albas (Francais)
