Souillac, Lot

The history of Souillac dates all the way back to 655 AD when a religious order was to up residency in the area, but it was quickly wiped out by Barbarian invaders.

Later, in the 10th century, Benedictine monks founded the monastic community of Sainte-Marie, not far from the religious site of Rocamadour and on the Way of Saint-James. The abbey was built in 12th century and added to the importance of the town.

Occupied by the English in the Hundred Years' War, and attacked by Protestants during the Wars of Religion, the town, the trade routes and the original Romanesque abbey were all but destroyed. After the peace was signed at the Treaties of Westphalia in 1648, Souillac underwent an era of prosperity. 

Trade on the river Dordogne was particularly important during this time, with large warehouses springing up in the town to support this. 

In 1812, Napoleon ordered the construction of a bridge in Souillac to let his armies cross the Dordogne on their way to Spain.

The main attraction in Souillac is without a doubt the Abbey Sainte-Marie that sits as an impressive structure in the heart of the town. This Byzantine and Romanesque style building in a large square, sitting adjacent to the narrow streets of the medieval old town.

A rather unusual offering in Souillac is the Musée d'Automate - a museum of automated toys and mechanical marionettes. The collection is the largest of its kind in Europe and will give you an insight into the history of the Christmas window displays you might see in the Galeries Lafayette or similarly large department stores in London and Paris.

Souillac en Jazz - this international festival began in 1976 and has grown over the years to become one of the most popular jazz festivals in the region. It takes place annually in July.

Being a traditional market town, there is of course a weekly market. It is held each Friday morning around the Place de la Halle.

Sitting near the banks of the Dordogne you can't help but be drawn to this beautiful river, for walking, cycling, canoeing and even some horse riding. 

Located en route to the Upper Dordogne Valley and Périgord Noir, Souillac is crossed by the Dordogne and Borrèze rivers.