Conques

View of the Abbey of Sainte-Foy

Conques is in Aveyron, France.

Understand

Porte du Barry

Conques is on the traditional Le Puy pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. It's a village of 1563 inhabitants (2020) located in Aveyron in a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains and forests. It's one of the most beautiful historic village in France. In the middle age, the village was an important sanctuary. During your trip, you will discover real treasures such as the Romanesque abbey church or even a real Medieval treasure. The picturesque alleys and half-timbered houses will delight you.

Get around

At the entrance, you will find a large parking for cars. Walking is the best solution.

The 14th-century "Pont Romain" over the Dourdou River, part of the Way of St. James

See

• Abbey of Sainte-Foy (Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques). This Benedictine abbey was founded in the 8th century by the hermit Dadon. It is qualified as pilgrimages church. Since 1998, the abbey is registered as UNESCO world heritage. The interior is famous for its windows painted by Pierre Soulage. If you spend the night in Conques, don't miss to do a night tour on upper-galeries accompanied by organ music
• The Tympanus of the Tympanus of the last judgement. Above the main door of the church, you will find The tympanus of the last judgement with its 1244 characters which represent the heaven and hell. Like the abbey, the tympanus is illuminated at night. A great visual experience awaits you.
• the treasury of conques (museum). In this museum all statues are made with gold, silver and precious stones. The main treasure is the "statue saint Foy "also called "Majesty". It's one of five greatest medieval goldsmiths work in Europe. The museum proposes a combined entrance with the museum " Joseph Fau" (€6.50/adult - €2.50/child)

Do

Visit the Abbey-Church of Saint-Foy, the main attraction here.

Beside the Le Puy pilgrimage route, there are several nice walks in the surroundings; in less than an hour, you can reach the cross opposite to the village.

To go into the details, you can choose to do guided tours around the city. Each takes around 45 minutes.

Before leaving Conques, you have the possibility to go up at "the site of bancarel". It's a hike during 20 minutes. You will understand how the village was built around the church.

Buy

No supermarket, only some small grocery stores, not often open, even in summer. In winter, the village is virtually dead, so be sure to bring enough food with you.

Eat

Close to Conques (less than a kilometer), the restaurant Hervé Busset is awarded one star by the famous "Guide Michelin" and nature is honored.

Au parvis (restaurant, bar, creperie, ice cream). You can eat in a restaurant with panoramic view on the tympanus for €9. It offers you a regional cuisine and salads from €9

Or else, with a panoramic view over the valley, and a family atmosphere, you have a restaurant " chez Deny" which proposes you simply cuisine and fresh products .

Sleep

Conques doesn't have an unlimited choice of accommodations but low-priced ones are available.

• Vacation house. You have the possibility to sleep in a youth hotel from €12 per night. Groups and individuals are welcome. The half-board costs €19 and €9 for breakfast.
• Guest house Called " Au castellou", 300 meters of the abbey. Family room and meals cost €30.
• "Saint Jacques". In this 2-star hotel you can sleep for €30 with wifi and a TV in the bedroom but also a comfortable environment in front of the abbey and a gastronomic table.

Connect

There is a 4G signal in the town and its surroundings, and some cafés including L'Auberge Saint-Jacques offer Wi-Fi connections.