©Saint Côme D'olt Aveyron |© B. Colomb Lozère Sauvage Pour Pact Aubrac

DiscoverSaint-Côme-d'OltA village on the river

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In the Lot valley in Aveyron, at the foot of the Aubrac mountains, lies Saint Côme d’Olt, classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages. The village owes its name to a hospice dedicated to Saints Côme and Damien, located near today’s chapelle des pénitents. “Olt” is the former name of the river Lot, which borders the village.

Getting there

Saint Côme d'olt chemin de compostelle. — ©Pilgrimage to Compostela, St Côme d'Olt.|© B. Colomb Lozère Sauvage Pour Pact Aubrac

©Saint Côme D'olt, seen from the sky.|© B. Colomb Lozère Sauvage pour PACT Aubrac.

St-Côme-d’Olt

A stage on the road to Santiago de Compostela

At the time of the Crusades, Saint-Côme-d’Olt was no more than a small settlement in the Bouisse (boxwood) district, not far from the Gallo-Roman road linking Rodez to Javols. An infirmary was located near the Bouisse chapel. It welcomed weary travelers and pilgrims after their arduous crossing of the Aubrac, Saint-Côme being located on the Via Podiensis of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Saint Côme d'Olt church and village lanes. — ©The church of Saint Côme d'Olt and its flamed bell tower.|© B. Colomb Lozère Sauvage pour PACT Aubrac.

A village

A well-preserved heritage

The village of Saint-Côme-d’Olt has preserved its character over the centuries. The heart of the village will take you back in time with its rich heritage and picturesque streets… In the 12th century, the lords of Calmont d’Olt, a site overlooking Espalion, built a castle around which the village grew. The old castle is now the town hall, which is listed as a Historic Monument. To guard against enemy invasion, the inhabitants of Saint Côme, under the lord’s orders, also built fortifications pierced only by three gates, which today give the village its medieval appearance. The ramparts, now integrated into the houses, have retained two of their three fortified gates: Porte de la Barrieyre du Théron, and Porte Neuve, which provide access to the village center.