Courpiac brings together two very different interests: the stone sculptures of Église Saint-Christophe and the wetland landscape of Lacs de Laubesc. At the church, capitals and traces of fortification draw attention to several building phases. At the lakes, ponds, an extensive wetland and an educational trail set the scene. Cycling routes lead to the town centre and through Courpiac and Cessac. You can tailor your stay to culture, landscape or cycling.

Church, sculptures and fortifications

The south portal of Église Saint-Christophe has historiated capitals depicting Samson and the lion, sirens and centaurs. A capital is the top part of a column or pier; here, these architectural features are decorated with figures. There are two more capitals on the chancel arch. They depict Original Sin and the multiplication of the loaves and date from 1130 to 1140. The different locations and themes of the sculptures offer architecture enthusiasts specific details to observe and compare.

The building’s history extends beyond its capitals. The church was fortified in the 16th century: the choir was raised, a loophole was added and a machicolation was built. A loophole is a narrow opening in a fortification; a machicolation projects beyond the outer wall and has an opening underneath. This makes it possible to consider the figurative decoration and later changes to the defensive architecture as distinct aspects of the building. Another historical landmark is the former Priory of Saint-Christophe, whose apse and south entrance feature sculpted decoration.

Lacs de Laubesc: ponds and wetland

Lacs de Laubesc are located in the communes of Cessac and Courpiac and consist of two ponds covering 4 and 5 hectares respectively. The site covers 22 hectares and is a wetland. The figures therefore describe different areas: the 4- and 5-hectare measurements refer to the ponds, while 22 hectares refers to the site. It is an inviting place for walks and to explore the remarkable wetland landscape. An educational trail provides information about the site’s fragile ecosystems. The walk and the trail offer different perspectives: one leads through the landscape, while the other focuses on its ecological context.

Cycling routes and historic transport routes

The Boucle vélo n°20 Romagne leads to the centre of Courpiac. A cycling route runs along the eastern edge of the commune, offering a circular ride through Courpiac and Cessac and to the lakes of Cessac. The town centre as a route destination and a circuit through two communes thus provide different points of reference for planning a route.

A former railway line was converted into a cycling route in the 1990s. Originally, it was used to transport natural stone from the quarries of Entre-2-Mers (Frontenac) for buildings in Bordeaux and the surrounding area. Its former role as a transport route and its later conversion into a cycling route give it a distinct historical dimension. For a specific trip, it is advisable to check route conditions in advance, as they may change.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pondaurat, Saint-Sulpice-Et-Cameyrac, Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye, Lormont, Pujols-Sur-Ciron, Cadillac, Tabanac, Le Puy.

For the broader travel overview: Gironde.