Saint Geniez d'Olt, la Ville Lumière
It is said that in the late 15th century there lived in St-Geniez a fisherman whose two children had captured a gopher. The little animal ran off scared on a stormy afternoon. The two children ran after it when a violent storm started and immersed the valley in a real deluge. On their return, several houses, including theirs had been washed away. By fleeing the little animal had saved their lives. They were nicknamed "the Marmots". By extension the name was given to all the inhabitants.
Saint-Geniez d'Olt is a small town of 2000 permanent inhabitants whose population quadruples in the summer season.
Built on both sides of the Lot river, the city benefits from a privileged situation between 2 natural regions : the Causses, in the South, and the Aubrac Mountains, in the North.
The visitor who discovers Saint-Geniez for the first time is struck by the architectural richness of this city. Since the Middle Ages, St-Geniez has taken advantage of the cloth industry to become, in the 18th century, one of the most important towns in Rouergue.
From its past, the city has preserved its heritage: cloister and chapel of the Augustins (XV - XVIIs.), parish church (XI - XVIIs.), mansions (XVIIs.), Talabot monument (XIXs.)
In the Age of Enlightenment, the city welcomed philosophers, thinkers, writers,... Faithful to this past, St-Geniez perpetuates this cultural vocation throughout the year : music, shows, dance, traditions, ...
All occasions are good to share moments of pleasure.
The newly renovated town center is perfectly adapted to people with reduced mobility. Information plaques help you to know better the heritage of the city.
Saint-Geniez is an ideal place to live in a preserved environment and is a perfect starting point for discovering and practicing outdoor activities, with family or friends.
Thanks to the A75 freeway, 15 minutes away, the Mediterranean coast is less than two hours away.
The legend of the marmots :
It is said that at the end of the 15th century, a fisherman lived in St-Geniez whose two children had caught a marmot. One stormy afternoon, the little animal ran away, frightened. The two children went after it as a violent storm broke out, drowning the valley in a veritable deluge. When they returned, several houses, including their own, had been washed away. Their lives had been spared by the escape of the little animal. They were familiarly called the Marmots. This name was given, by extension, to all the inhabitants.
