The attractive town of Martel is in the Lot department, just to the east of the Dordogne and is a region I haven’t mentioned very often. Not, you understand, because it has nothing much to offer – rather, because I want to make sure that its beauty and charm remains unspoiled!
The north-west of the Lot department is the part I know best, and is jam-packed with natural beauty, beautiful scenery and great towns and villages.
Within a small area we find Rocamadour (and the nearby Padirac caves); the string of classified ‘most beautiful villages’ that includes Curemonte, Turenne, Collonges-la-Rouge and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Carennac, Loubressac, Autoire…rarely have so many stunning villages been found in such a small area!
Another highlight you should be sure to visit is the town shown in the picture – Martel.
Martel is best known for having seven towers, and its periods of prosperity during the Middle Ages ensured that many attractive buildings were constructed. Many of them are still to be seen, and it really is a lovely little town. The Palace containing the tourist office is a particular highlight.
So if you are looking for an idea for somewhere to visit, which is at least slightly off the beaten track, you could do worse than explore this very pretty corner of southern France. But if you do – be sure not to tell anyone else, because it is nice that a few corners of France remain at least slightly secret.
