In Sembas, a named walking loop meets a rich architectural history. The 9.6 km Sembas loop, la boucle de Lacenne, connects the town hall near Lacenne with the church of the same name and the church of Sembas. The GR® 652, a Way of St James route via Le Puy-en-Velay, also passes through Sembas. If you are planning a stay, these specific walking and heritage themes can help you decide whether the area suits your travel interests.
Walking the Lacenne Loop
The loop is 9.6 km long and follows a ridge path. From there, you can see the hamlet of Lacenne and the free-standing bell tower of the church of Sembas. Its named points of reference are the town hall near Lacenne, the church of the same name and the church of Sembas. The route therefore connects local landmarks and churches with views of Lacenne and the bell tower.
The distinction between the two walking routes can help you choose: the Lacenne loop is a circular route with a stated length of 9.6 km. The GR® 652 is the Way of St James route via Le Puy-en-Velay that passes through Sembas and uses part of the loop. This lets you distinguish the local circuit from the Way of St James route without treating them as the same route.
Churches and the History of Lacenne
The bastide of Lacenne was founded in 1283 by the King of England and the Abbot of Pérignac. It was built near a church erected on the site of a Gallo-Roman villa. The history of Lacenne therefore brings together two distinct points in time: the medieval founding of the bastide and the older site associated with the church.
Different periods of construction can also be seen at the church of Saint-Cybar de Sembas. The first bay and two side chapels, which form a transept, were built at the beginning of the 16th century. The apse, by contrast, appears to date from the Middle Ages. The church stands on the Plateau de Serres among plum trees; its free-standing bell tower is also one of the sights along the ridge path. If you are interested in architectural history, there are several specific details to look out for.
Historic Architecture in Sembas
The Maison forte de Lassalle is dated to the late 13th or early 14th century based on the place name La Salle and its masonry. Its architectural features include a masonry well that provides protected access to a lower-lying spring. The dating is an attribution, while the well and access describe the structure more specifically.
The Château de Lacenne is laid out around an enclosed courtyard, with a residential building at the far end. The former entrance led through a dovecote gatehouse, which has since been demolished. Together with the well at the Maison forte, this example shows two different architectural solutions: a courtyard with a residential building and protected access to a lower-lying spring. Both provide concrete architectural points of interest in Sembas’s cultural heritage.
Planning Your Trip
Sembas is about 20 km north of Agen via the N21, D13, D113 and D212. This approximate geographic location provides a point of reference for planning alongside the local attractions. If you are looking for a hotel in Sembas, you can first consider whether you would rather plan your stay around the walking loop and the GR® 652 or around the churches and historic architecture.
Discover more destinations: Salles, Espiens, Cavarc, Bourgougnague, Meilhan-Sur-Garonne, Monsempron-Libos, Marmande, Castelmoron-Sur-Lot.
For the regional travel overview: Lot Et Garonne.
