Saint-Matré combines two hiking trails with church art and olive oil production. If you are looking for accommodation, you can choose a place to stay based on what you want to shape your visit: a hike through varied landscapes, a focus on cultural history or an interest in local production. The routes differ in length and starting point; the churches and the olive oil mill bring architecture, art and production into the picture as additional themes.

Hiking through varied landscapes

The Circuit des Petits Ruisseaux et des Grandes Vignes passes through limestone heaths, oak forests, a valley with streams and a plateau dotted with vineyards. This circular route brings several types of landscape together. If you would like to experience different landscapes while hiking, you can look to this combination of heathland, forest, a stream valley and vineyards.

The circular route starts at the junction of the D 4 and D 656 in Saint-Matré. It is 11 km long, marked in yellow and listed as taking 3 hours and 30 minutes to walk. For planning, you can take the starting point, route length, markings and walking time into account together. Allow time for breaks in addition to the stated walking time if you plan to combine the circular route with other activities on the same day.

The Circuit de la Martille is 6.83 km long and starts at the square in Saint-Matré. By distance, it is shorter than the 11 km circular route. If you are choosing between the two hikes, distance and starting point offer a concrete comparison: one route starts at the square, the other at the junction of the D 4 and D 656.

Church architecture and artwork

The Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Saint-Matré dates from the 18th century. The church houses a painting of the Deposition from the Cross, which is listed in the register of movable objects classified as historic monuments. The building’s history and the artwork offer two different points of reference: the century refers to the church, while the listing applies to the painting as a movable object.

The Église Saint-Benoît de Coulourgues was built in the 12th century. This provides a contrast in date with Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Saint-Matré: the two churches mentioned date from different centuries.

Olive oil from the Quercy Blanc

Carole and Philippe de Faucamberge founded the Oliveraie du Quercy Blanc in 2011. The business currently produces cold-extracted olive oil at its mill in the centre of Saint-Matré. The founding year, production method and location of the mill provide a specific connection between olive oil production and the town.

The Oliveraie du Quercy Blanc manages four hectares of olive groves in the Quercy Blanc, cultivated under certified organic methods.

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