CONQUES, 37km north of Rodez, is one of the great villages of southwest France. It occupies a spectacular position on the flanks of the steep, densely wooded gorge of the little River Dourdou, a tributary of the Lot. For all its glory, Conques is not easy to get to. The only public transport to the village is a seasonal bus which runs up the Tarn valley via Vieillevie and as far as St. Geniez d'Olt. The shuttle makes one run in each direction (June & Sept Mon; July–Aug Tues, Thurs & Sat), allowing you to visit Conques and return the same day.It's the abbey which brought the village into existence. Its origins go back to a hermit called Dadon who settled here around 800 AD and founded a community of Benedictine monks, one of whom pilfered the relics of the martyred girl, Ste Foy, from the monastery at Agen. Known for her ability to cure blindness and liberate captives, Ste Foy's presence brought the pilgrims flocking to Conques in ever-increasing numbers, which earned the abbey a prime place on the pilgrimage route to Compostela.
Pages in section ‘Conques’: The village, Practicalities, Abbey church.
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