PRESS KIT
- 2013 Press contact:
Régine COMBAL
directionotconques@wanadoo.fr
05 65 72 85 00
Au exceptional heritage
The village of Conques, classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France, is nested inside a protected natural site. It’s one
of the reference in matter of Romanesque architecture (abbey-church and tympanum of the Last Judgment), medieval goldsmith
art (Treasure of Saint-Foy) and contemporary art (church windows by Pierre Soulages).
AN INTERNATIONAL FAME
o Abbey-church and Pilgrims’ Bridge registered on the list of
worldwide heritage by UNESCO on account of the paths in France to
Santiago de Compostela.
o Treasure of medieval goldsmith art (9th-19th century), unique in
France (Majesty of Saint Foy, reliquary of Pepin, A « from
Charlemagne »…). Open everyday, all year round.
o Village of Conques labelled Plus beaux villages de France.
o Site of Conques classified Great Site in Midi-Pyrénées.
o Contemporary stained-glasses by Pierre Soulages, painter of
international fame.
Visits
THE INEVITABLE GUIDED TOURS
Key point in the discovery of the site of CONQUES
Guided tours are adaptable to visitors with disabilities
FOR GROUPS – All year round with a reservation, in French, English and Spanish.
FOR INDIVIDUALS – April to October or during school holidays (in French) or, depending of
availability in English and Spanish.
OUR GUIDED TOURS
o
Abbey-church Saint-Foy (11th-12th century) and its famous Tympanum of the Last Judgment.
An ideal tour to discover the History of Conques and its Romanesque heritage.
Adult Fee 4€, child 2€
o
Abbey-church Saint-Foy and Goldsmith Treasure (for groups only). This guided tour quite
appreciated by the groups, presents the History, the Architecture, the Sculpture and the
Goldsmith art. Adult fee 8.70€, child 4€
o
Gallery of the abbey-church. Discovery of the second level of the church and its collection of
Romanesque capitals and contemporary windows. Unique fee 4.50€ (restricted access: older
than 12)
o
Medieval village of Conques and its narrow streets, a discovery of the characteristics of its
architecture and the activities from the past. Adult fee 4€, child 2€
o
Thematic tours (contemporary windows by Pierre Soulages, …). Adult fee 4.50€, child 2€
FREE TOUR: Goldsmith art Treasure and its famous Majesty of saint
Foy. Open everyday, all year round (except Jan. 01 and Dec. 25).
Adult fee 6.20€, Reduced fee (groups…) 4.20€, child 2€
An exceptional treasure – At the end of the 8th century, the hermit
Dadon chose this place to prey in solitude. Conques’ first monastery of
Benedictines was then born. The relics of Saint Foy brought from Agen
by one of the monks in 866 changed Conques into a pilgrimage site,
famous for its reliquaries made of gold and silver, including the Majesty of
Saint Foy. The worshipping of the saint girl spread throughout the
western Christendom. This Treasure, unique in France, was saved during
the Revolution by Conques’ residents.
Key Events – Culture
The cultural life of CONQUES is set around concerts, shows, theatre, artistic exhibits, literature,
conferences … all along the year.
THE KEY EVENTS OF CONQUES
o NIGHT TOUR – Organ and Light Show in the Church gallery (May-September at 21:30).
The visit of the upper gallery at night, with light and organ play, brings delight to the visitor
using this large corridor built during Romanesque times, above the side aisles and the
ambulatory. It brings a strong emotion and wonder. Unique fee 6€ (restricted access:
older than 12).
o
THE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL « La Lumière du Roman » (end July, early August) –
Musical gathering of famous names from the sacred repertoire during major concerts held
in the Romanesque abbey-church or the auditorium (400 seats) in the Centre européen.
Contact: www.ceacm.com
o
THE FESTIVITIES OF SAINT FOY – Religious and traditional celebration around the
Majesty of Saint Foy (October 6th or following Sunday)
THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE YEAR 2013
o The 1000 years of the Book of Miracles of Saint Foy (exhibited in the Treasure) written
in Conques by Bernard of Angers, from the year 1013.
o The 20 years of the Centre européen: Exceptional program to celebrate this anniversary
(Music festival, theatre…). Contact : www.ceacm.com
Local flavours
The monks from Conques founded priories and built churches in many places. They conquered the land and worked on the soils
with patience. It is believed they are responsible for the first vineyard coming from the grape variety “fer servadou “or Mansois, in
Marcillac valley (saumancés in Occitan). This grape variety, very ancient, gave the wine labelled AOC since 1990, the red and
rosé wine of Marcillac. It gets its uniqueness from its character and its raspberry and blackcurrant flavours.
Ancestral cultures: Chestnut, vineyard, walnut oil, saffron, honey
GASTROMONY WITH OCCITAN ACCENTS
o Wine from Conques GAEC Rols&Rols (Vins de Pays de l’Aveyron)
o Aperitif Saint-Hervé and Ratafia
o Fouace, Soleil de Marcillac, pompe à l’huile (pastries)
o Farçous, estofinade, aligot, tripous, truffade, chevreau à l’oseille
o Salt meat (ham, sausage, friton), foie gras
o Cabecou (goat chesse)
o Grindstoned flour bread
Tasting in our numerous restaurants, at the local producers or on the traditional markets.
Leisure activities
Many leisure activities are possible around Conques.
Hiking, kayaking, fishing, horse riding, biking, boat rides,
animal parks, farm and vineyards visits...
Artists and creative craftsmen
Discover the many savoir-faire, the talents and inventiveness of our numerous artists and creative craftsmen. Some studios and
workshops are only open during the high season. Workshops from the association Chemins des Arts invite you to discover their
valuable savoir-faire, in particular during the Festival des Arts.
Conques
o Sculpture / ceramics – Cairn / Pot au Feu – Tel. 06 80 71 14 95 / 06 30 43 92 08
o Line-engraver – M. Casalonga – Tel. 05 65 69 83 85
o Painting / sculpture – Galerie Lepage – Tel. 06 82 49 74 41
o Painting - l’Ostal del pintre – Tel. 06 84 14 90 30
o Sculpture / etching / artist’s studio – La Grange à Palabres – Tel. 06 30 97 29 25
o Wood sculpture / Tapestry-making – J.-P. Caen and C. Laché (La Vaysse) – Tel. 05 65 72 85 60
o Leather craftsman – M. Gaillac – Tel. 05 65 72 82 10
o Saddler, harness and leather craftsman – La Sellerie de Conques – Tel. 06 84 35 82 27
o Glass – La Perle d’art – Tel. 06 16 85 89 39
Clairvaux – Tapestry studio / secondhand shop – La Chine du Vallon – Tel. 06 83 40 01 50
Grand-Vabre – Ceramics - Poterie de la Confluence (Les Cazelles) – Tel. 05 65 67 31 94
Villecomtal – Textile mill - Filature des Landes – Tel. 05 65 44 61 13
Mouret (Le Grand-Mas)
o Cabinet-making – Jean-Paul Costes – Tel. 05 65 71 87 55
o Photographies Aveyron Images – Z. Mouret – Tel. 06 08 62 64 37
Muret-le-château – Visual artist / Metal sculpture – Le Métalfou – Tel. 05 65 74 46 54
Saint-Cyprien
o Ceramics - Al-Terre Poterie – Tel. 06 87 88 67 61
o Craft Soap making - Savonnerie artisanale de Conques – Tel. 09 71 53 44 76
Saint-Félix-de-Lunel – Calligraphy / illumination – Virginie Sanhes – Tel. 06 83 32 03 21
Salles-la-Source – Galerie des Ondes – Tel. 06 73 77 17 71
Valady – Painting – Christiane Benoit-Granier – Tel. 06 89 33 49 08
Espeyrac – Artistic Blacksmith – La Forge de Denys – Tel. 06 81 90 31 15
Accommodation – Restaurant
Numerous facilities are present, for all budgets (hotels, B&B, camping, accommodations for groups, family and for
walkers) and numerous restaurants. Some are open all year round. www.conques.fr
One restaurant with a Michelin star in Conques: Restaurant Hervé Busset*
Coming to Conques
Conques is located North-West of Aveyron (department 12)
Localisation: 38 km North of Rodez
GPS (Long. 2°23’50 ‘’, lat. 44°36’01’’)
TRANSPORTS
Road D901
Bus line (Rodez-Conques – MO. to FRI., except civic
holidays and WE)
Taxi (Société Lample) – Tel. 04 71 49 95 55
Pilgrims and luggage transports – along the GR65
SNCF Train - Rodez or St-Christophe (line Rodez-Paris)
Airport Rodez-Aveyron – Paris, Lyon, Londres, Charleroi,
Dublin – Tel. 05 65 42 20 30
Office de Tourisme – Le Bourg – 12320 Conques
Tel. 05 65 72 85 00 – Fax. 05 65 72 87 03
www.conques.fr - email : tourisme@conques.fr
Opening hours (Tourist Office, Treasure, Museum)
April to September – 9:30-12:30 – 14:00-18:30 - October to March: 10:00-12:00 – 14:00-18:00
Photo credits : Office de Tourisme Conques-Marcillac, CEACM, R. Combal, G. Mazars, Z. Mouret (Aveyron Images), D. Viet