Our Blog - Puycelsi, France

I think I have mentioned this before, but there are several "lists" of villages and towns across France, some on a list of the "most beautiful villages in France" and others that are on "detours" that are close to major autoroutes. There are 155 (or so) of the most beautiful villages in mainland France (and a few more that are in the overseas departments). We pulled the list and have decided to try to visit all of them. We have already done a few even before we knew about the list. We thought we would take a couple hours and see what we could that are fairly close to Toulouse.

The village of Puycelsi is perched on a rocky peak overlooking the Vère River. The city was founded in the 10th century by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Aurillac, near an ancient prehistoric site. The city was besieged during the Crusade of the Shepards in 1320 and by the English in 1386 during the Hundred Years' War. The city was never taken by force. The village was almost abandoned in the 1950's, which I can maybe understand since I read that basically running water wasn't available in the town until 1960.

A few pictures from afar, showing how the houses are perched up on the top of the hill.

Here we can see the ramparts up-close, which date from the 14th century. This is the first Hirissou gate, which is a typical gate here (not that glamorous or ornate, but it seems that it was pretty effective).

Not what I would really call a "castle", but this was the home of the Captain Governors in the 14th century.

Like with many of the medieval towns that we have seen, there are still half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. There are also a few that still have ancient sundials on the walls.

The Église Saint-Corneille was built in the 14th and 15th centuries in Southern Gothic style. It has a single nave with 6 side chapels. The clock-tower was added in 1805. The retable, which is decorated panel behind the altar, was created in 1689.

This is called the ancienne Auberge, or former Inn, although it is actually still a hotel. It is in great shape (as you would expect from a hotel) and still has 18th century architectural features including the arched doorway and mullioned windows. You can also see iron rods with rings built into the exterior walls (close-up in 2nd picture). These are called "sargets" and were used to hang flags during important processions and festivals. You can also see them in the 3rd & 4th pictures, which is another building on the same square.

This was the Town Hall, or "Maison Commune", from 1790 to 2016. The first mayor of the town was elected by the 130 voters in the district, replacing a municipal council made up of 2 people from the town and 2 additional from the countryside. A small market used to take place on the ground floor.

The former Gendarmerie (police station) has an interesting architecture. The ground floor is made from stones and then you can see the first floor is made of bricks and has an encorbellement, or overhang. Then at the top is a gallery with fine wooden columns. An infantry brigade came here after the Revolution but then left in 1857.

Not sure if this really comes out as well in a picture as in person, but I was trying to show how the integrated the ramparts into the existing rocky outcropping.