Carennac

Carennac photo gallery

Location: Situated on the river Dordogne.
Restaurants and shops: There is a small general store. A handful of restaurants and a hotel which is open all year round except mid winter. The Office of Tourism is under the archway and next to the church and there are often exhibitions held nearby.
In a nutshell: A famously picturesque Quercynois village of beautiful houses and narrow lanes clustered around an ancient fortified Cluniac monastery. The cloisters of the church are peaceful and worth visiting - the highlight is the adjoining chapter house with its remarkable 15th century stone carving of the entombment of Christ. The village is highly photogenic and excellent for a pre- or post-lunch perambulation!

Situated on the left bank of the Dordogne, Carennac is a pretty village of stone houses with brown-tiled roofs, clustered around the ancient priory and chateau. The priory was founded in the 10th century. Fenelon, later famous as bishop of Cambrai and the author of Télémaque, was prior of Carennac in 1681 and lived there for many years.

Certain houses date from the 16th century. Of the old ramparts only one fortified gateway, the buildings, the chateau and the tower of the priory remain today.

The 16th century château des Doyens has corner towers and a gallery constructed above the gothic chapels of the church. Today the château houses the 'Espace Patrimoine', a permanent exhibition covering the art and history of the valley of the Dordogne.

It is pleasant to stroll around the narrow streets of the village and admire the architecture of the houses as well as the château and church. Do go through the porchway to visit the church of St-Pierre, to see in particular its porch decorated with a wonderful 12th century sculpture similar to that of the abbey of Beaulieu, and the cloisters next door.

	The entrance to the château and church of St Pierre. The 15th century priory cloisters can also be visited.
	The 12th century tympanum above the doorway to the church of St Pierre, closely resembles those of Beaulieu, Moissac, Collonges-la-Rouge and Cahors. Maybe the same team of sculptors created them all?
	In an almond-shaped mandorla in the centre, Christ is seen in majesty, surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists, with the apostles on either side.
	Inside the cloisters next to the church
	The walls of the château, above the fortified gateway leading to the church and cloisters.
	The tower of Fenelon with île Calypso in the background.