Martel, Lot
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The covered market in Martel
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 Martel
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Location within Occitanie region
Martel
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| Coordinates: 44°56′16″N 1°36′35″E / 44.9378°N 1.6097°ECoordinates: 44°56′16″N 1°36′35″E / 44.9378°N 1.6097°E | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Occitanie | |
| Department | Lot | |
| Arrondissement | Gourdon | |
| Canton | Martel | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes du Pays de Martel | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Jean-Claude Requier | |
| Area1 | 35.28 km2 (13.62 sq mi) | |
| Population (1999)2 | 1,467 | |
| • Density | 42/km2 (110/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 46185 /46600 | |
| Elevation | 92–336 m (302–1,102 ft) (avg. 240 m or 790 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Martel is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France. It is a small medieval town in a region well known for its walnuts and truffles.
The name of the town means "hammer", and three of these are to be seen on the town's coat of arms. Charles Martel, who earned the nickname "hammer" after his victory over the Muslims, who were trying to conquer Europe, in the Battle of Tours in 732, is said to have founded the town.Henry the Young King died here in 1183. In 1219, the town received its charter and was a fiefdom of the Viscounts of Turenne.
Martel is located about 15 km (9 mi) east of Souillac and 15 km (9 mi) north of the River Dordogne. To the north lies the commune of Cazillac, to the northeast Strenquels, to the east Saint-Denis-lès-Martel, to the southeast Floirac, to the south Montvalent, to the southwest Creysse, to the west Baladou and to the northwest Cuzance. The countryside is rural with rolling hills, pastureland and the cultivation of walnuts. North of the town lies the elevated limestone plateau of Causse de Martel, much of which is covered with oak and beech woodland.
Martel is a medieval town, with the older houses built of pale stone that contrasts with their reddish-brown roofs. The ramparts that used to surround the town are gone but in their place is a wide boulevard and the narrow-streeted central part is a pedestrian area. The town has a distinctive sky-line with medieval towers projecting above the houses, and because of these, the town is sometimes called La ville aux sept tours. The highest tower is that of the Church of Saint-Maur.
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Wikipedia