Bruniquel and its surroundings

Bruniquel is a medieval bastide village which has received the French accolade “un des plus beaux villages de France” (“one of France’s 100 most beautiful places”). Thanks to the advantage of its geographic situation, in the Middle Ages, Bruniquel already stood out for its strong economy. Bruniquel was an important centre for commercial exchanges as well as being a stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. They could stay the night in the hôspital Sainte-Catherine which opened for travelers in 1303.

Two castles dominate the dramatic skyline of la cité. The half-timbered houses with their facades constructed with stone and wood beams, often with overhanging projections and little towers, date from the XIVth, XVth and XVIth centuries. Their ancient doorways often still bear inscriptions from these periods, and their mullioned windows decorated with carvings give testimony to passersby today of Bruniquel’s great wealth. The picturesque medieval street names offer another glimpse of life in earlier times: rue Bombe cul, rue Trotte garces, la place des Oules (des Marmites).

Legend has it Bruniquel’s le château Vieux was built by Merovingian Queen Brunehaut in the VIth century. Part of the castle enclosure is taken up by la tour de la reine Brunehaut. The ‘Young Castle’ (le château Jeune) was erected between 1485 and 1510. Both castles and their gardens are open to visitors.

The two castles were used as the setting for Robert Enrico’s film, “le Vieux fusil”, starring Romy Schneider and Philippe Noiret. You can visit a photo exhibit about the making of the film in le château Vieux.

Around Bruniquel

Bruniquel is set in breath-taking natural surroundings, with the rivers Aveyron and Vère, les gorges d’Aveyron, many hiking and bike routes, canoeing and swimming. More information: www.bruniquel.fr

Here is a small selection of nearby villages, bastides and towns:
• Penne – bastide (7 km)
• Puycelsi – bastide (5km)
• Castelnau-de-Montmirail – bastide (15 km)

Weekly markets:
• Monday – Caussade (12 km)
• Tuesday – Nègrepelisse (12 km)
• Wednesday – Cahors (35 km)
• Thursday – Gaillac (20 km)
• Friday – Montricou (5 km), and Gaillac (30 km)
• Saturday – Montauban (35 km)
• Sunday – Saint-Antonin Noble Val (23 km)

Cities
A wide range of cultural offerings, outstanding cathedrals, beautiful museums, historical sites, cafés terrasses, shops and boutiques, good restaurants, in Toulouse, Cahors, Montauban and Albi.