Conques is located in the Dourdou de Conques river valley in the southwest of the country and is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in France thanks to the abbey of Sainte-Foy. In this region, I was also able to visit other beautiful villages, such as Najac or Belcastel.
CONQUES
Conques is located less than 200 kilometers north of Toulouse, in the hitherto unknown department of Aveyron, in the aforementioned Occitania region.
Pilgrims started coming here in the 11th century when the monks of the abbey obtained the relics of Sainte Foy, one of the first Christian martyrs. Since then, the abbey has been a stop on the French Way of St. James.
The village of Conques has just 300 inhabitants and clings to the side of a mountain. There is not a single house in this village that breaks the harmony of the landscape. Its main street opens onto the abbey of Sainte-Foy which is undoubtedly the most important building.
Hotels in Conques
The interior of the abbey is in Romanesque style with a very high nave and three chapels at the east end (built to provide more altars for pilgrims). It was built between 1045 and 1060. Of particular note in this historical and monumental ensemble is the abbey’s treasure, which has managed to survive the Revolution, hidden by the townspeople.
MIDI-PYRÉNÉES ROADTRIP
