The Best Things to do in Figeac, France
This post is about the best things to do in Figeac. Figeac, nestled in the heart of southwest France’s Lot Valley, is a beautifully preserved medieval town known for its rich history, great food and its unique culture that is characteristic of the Occitanie region.
Why visit Figeac
Figeac is officially classified as a “Ville d’art et d’histoire”. Its story begins in the 9th century, when a Benedictine abbey was founded on the banks of the Célé River. It developed into a bustling medieval town, partly due to its strategic location on the Via Podiensis to Santiago de Compostela.
Figeac preserved much of its medieval heritage. With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, lively markets, and picturesque riverbanks, it is one of the more charming towns on the via Podiensis and therefore remains a popular place among pilgrims to take a rest day on their camino.
Figeac certainly deserves your time. The town is not only beloved among pilgrims, but also local tourists as there are enough interesting things to do in Figeac.
Things to do in Figeac
Museum of Champollion
Figeac is also famous as the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, the scholar who unlocked the mysteries of Egyptian hieroglyphs through his study of the Rosetta Stone. Housed in the birthplace of Jean‑François Champollion, is a wonderful museum exploring over 5,000 years of writing systems from around the world. Of course there is a special ficus on the Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Place des Écritures
Figeac is very proud of Champollion. Besides the museum is the place des Ecritures with a giant Rosetta stone replica on the ground.
The Church of Saint Saveur
The Church of Saint-Sauveur, founded alongside the Benedictine abbey in the 9th century, is the oldest and most important church in Figeac. It was a must stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. There still is a special pilgrims office where pilgrims can get a stamp in their credential.
Visit Eglise Notre Dame de Puy
It’s an easy climb up the colline du Puy with its church. The Église Notre-Dame-du-Puy in Figeac takes its name from Le Puy-en-Velay, a major starting point on the Camino de Santiago. In the Middle Ages, churches dedicated to “Notre-Dame-du-Puy” were often founded in towns along the pilgrimage route.
The church itself is modest and the main reason to visit are the panoramic views of Figeac.
Wander the historic streets
Figeac’s old town retains its medieval layout, complete with sandstone houses, timbered façades, and intricately carved merchant buildings from the 12th–14th centuries. It’s a joy to simply wander the streets of the small, but beautiful old town.
Try local delicacies
No trip to Figeac is complete without indulging in the flavors of the Lot region. Duck takes center stage here, whether in the form of foie gras, tender magret de canard, or slow-cooked confit. If you’re visiting in winter, keep an eye out for the prized black truffles from nearby Lalbenque.
For dessert, look out for regional pastries like croustade, with its flaky layers wrapped around apples or prunes, or Pastis Quercynois, a delicate apple-filled pastry sometimes flavored with plum brandy. Walnuts, another local treasure, appear in cakes, oils, and liqueurs, adding a rustic touch to many dishes.
Visit the Figeac Saturday market
If you’re lucky enough to be in town on Saturday market day, you’ll find a lot of the Lot delicacies in abundance, alongside fresh produce and charcuterie. Stalls overflow with regional specialties: fragrant cheeses like Rocamadour, baskets of walnuts, golden pastries, and seasonal produce straight from nearby farms. You’ll also find duck and truffle products, Cahors wines, and artisan breads
Start your camino in the Célé valley
Most people start their camino on the Via Podiensis in the historic town of Le Puy en Velay, but Figeac is also a beautiful and practical place to start your Camino. In any case, those hiking the Via Podiensis to Santiago have a choice to make in Figeac.
From Figeac you basically have three choices to walk to Cahors, the next big town on the route. One is to follow the main GR65 route on the Via Podiensis. One other trail goes through the famous pilgrimage village of Rocamadour. But the most scenic trail is the GR651 into the Célé valley.
I was very happy with my choice to hike the GR651 Célé Valley variant when walking the french Camino le Puy, even though it added three more days to my itinerary. The Céle Valley lies within the Causses du Quercy Regional National park, featuring forests, riverside landscapes, deep valleys and limestone cliffs.
Figeac Travel Tips
Where to sleep in Figeac
Pilgrims: some of my favourite pilgrim accommodations on the Via Podiensis were just outside Figeac. Antoine le Pelerin is run by a very friendly couple from Reunion that cook delicious Creole dishes from the island. Unfortunately it is closed at the moment. My other recommendation is Relais de Saint Jacques in Faycelles. It’s one of the few donativo accomodations on the camino le Puy and the owners also run Fleur au chapeau, a project for people recovering from a burnout. Another Donativo within Figeac itself is the church gite du Carmel.
Budget: If you are not a pilgrim or prefer more privacy you can stay at Le Fauborg with private rooms that offer good value for money
Midrange: Hotel La Quatorze is a more luxurious option with nice rooms in the center of Figeac.
How to get to Figeac
It is easy to reach Figeac by train. From Paris you can take the TGV to Brive-la-Gaillarde where you can transfer to the local TER train. You can check the timetables and book your tickets on SNCF. The earlier you book, the cheaper your tickets.
Figeac also has regional TER connections to cities like Rocamadour, Cahors, Toulouse, and Aurillac.
When to visit Figeac
The best time to visit Figeac are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). During these seasons, the weather is mild, the countryside is at its most beautiful (think wildflowers in spring and golden vineyards in autumn), and the town is lively without being overcrowded.
Summer (July–August) is also a popular time, with long sunny days, bustling markets, and cultural events like open-air concerts and festivals. However, it can get quite warm, and the town sees more visitors, especially those walking the Camino de Santiago.
Disclaimer: This post about the best things to do in Figeac contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!