31
july
2024
Departure for Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt
Roaming 37 km (negative and flat elevation gain)
(Subject to modifications).
Sainte Eulalie d'Olt, Senta Eularia in Occitan.
The richly flowered medieval city.
Member of the community of communes of Des Causses à l'Aubrac this charming picturesque village located in the department of Aveyron in the Occitanie region is classified among “ The Most Beautiful Villages in France”.
In the upper Lot Valley, between the Causse and the Aubrac, the town is watered by several tributaries, the Menderson, the Moulinet, the Mas Nouvel ravine, the Coutelle, Glassac, Coustats and Barrage streams.
The 373 gentiles are called the Encaulats.
Legend has it that as a mockery, the name encalats, which means “cabbage eaters”, was given to the inhabitants of the town because there were cabbages in the gardens .
Since the year 2000, the inhabitants of Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt have met every year for a gigantic meal around Cabbage during the winter.
Loving the beauty of their village, every year, the inhabitants decorate their houses with flowers. Thus, Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt has been awarded several times in its category in the competition for towns and villages in bloom since 1986.
There are no words to describe the beauty of this village located in the Lot valley at an altitude of 407 meters up to 876 meters. Nestled in lush greenery, on the left bank of the Lot, lies the medieval village. Rich in its architectural heritage, you can discover two buildings protected as historic monuments, the Saint Eulalie church dating from the 11th century was classified in 1923 and the the 15th century castle century classified in 1976.
Along the Serre stream, the mills bear witness to the old tannery and drapery activities. Its village, organized in successive arcs around the church square, a masterpiece of Gothic art, has allowed it to preserve its authenticity with these houses with slate roofs, built of Lot pebbles with or without half-timbering.
Walking through the narrow, cobbled streets, the renaissance hotel and the mill wheel give rhythm to the life of the flowery village where it is good to stroll.
It was in the Middle Ages that Saint Eulalia was born. The ramparts enhanced with towers which shelter it then earned this small city the name of castrum.
For many years, this historic city has turned to art; not only through the architectural aspect of the town, but also thanks to its inhabitants.
The most telling example is that of Marcel Boudou, painter, to whom a museum is dedicated . Today it bears his name: Marcel Boudou museum-gallery.
Today many artists and craftsmen have settled in the village or in the old restored barn, called the Grange des Arts . The small art school was also established in 1998.
Every year, on the second Sunday in July, the Holy Thorn takes place, where a procession takes place. All the inhabitants of the village, in costume, recreate the main phases of Christ's ascent to Calvary.
The weekend is thus placed under the sign of celebration with a ball and fireworks.
See: LRRD organization
