"As Far North in the Midi-Pyrenees As You Can Get" Martel by hquittner

Martel (pop. 1.5K) was expanded into a free town (1219) by the Viscount of Turenne whose lands had been devastated by the English. This was a century after it had bee founded around the Church of St.-Maur (a Benedictine saint). It was a pilgrimage stop on the roads to Rocamadour and Compostela. The subsequent 100years was led to its fortification, including modifications of its new buildings and its church to withstand anticipated warfare. Today the town still boasts of its 7 towers, the most prominent being the belfry of the Hotel de la Raymondie, the church tower and the Hotel de Chauffeur.

Steeple of St.-Maur

The major streets a the edge of town are built upon what was once the defensive ramparts

A Cross in Town

We spent only long enough at Martel to satisfy our church-hopping compulsions. For those with children, there is an open-car steam-powered train trip (7km each way) to the nearby town of St.-Denis. on a 19C track that goes through small tunnels and looks down on valleys (we did not ride it). A rare experience in these days.

• Pros:Worth A Short Visit
• Cons:We missed the Museum in the Hotel de la Raymondie
• In a nutshell:A Nice Town