Figeac

The museum dedicated to Jean-Francois Champollion and the history of writing is housed in the Champollion family home. The collection covers writing systems from Mesopotamian cuneiform to Chinese calligraphy to Egyptian hieroglyphics. The story of how Champollion cracked the code of the Rosetta Stone is told with clarity and drama. Outside, in the Place des Ecritures, a full-scale reproduction of the Rosetta Stone is carved into the ground in black granite. It is a remarkable public artwork in a

The old town of Figeac is a joy to explore on foot. The narrow streets connect a series of small squares, each surrounded by medieval and Renaissance buildings. Look up to see the soleilhos, the open-topped attic galleries on the upper floors that were used for drying goods. The timber-framed houses, the stone towers, and the carved doorways create a townscape that has changed little in 500 years. The Saturday morning market in the Place Carnot is lively and colourful.

From Figeac, you can continue on the main GR65 route to Cahors (about 90 km through the Causse limestone plateau). Or you can take the Cele Valley variant (GR651), which follows the Cele river through limestone gorges, past painted prehistoric caves, and through villages including Marcilhac-sur-Cele and Cabrerets before rejoining the GR65 near Cahors. The Cele variant is slightly longer but many pilgrims consider it more beautiful. The main route has more pilgrim infrastructure. Both are excelle

You are now in the Lot department, the heartland of duck cuisine. Confit de canard (duck leg slowly cooked in its own fat), magret de canard (pan-seared duck breast), foie gras, and gizzard salad (salade de gesiers) appear on every menu. The local Cahors wine, made from the Malbec grape, is dark, rich, and the perfect partner for duck in all its forms. Figeac's restaurants serve these regional specialities well, and the quality-to-price ratio is excellent.

Figeac is a natural rest day candidate. The museum, the old town, the Saturday market, and the restaurants all justify a day off. The town also has good transport connections (train to Toulouse, bus to Cahors) if you need to adjust your schedule. After the remote stages through the Aubrac and the descent to the Lot valley, Figeac feels urban and civilised without being overwhelming. A day of wandering, eating, and resting here sets you up well for the stages ahead.