Martel is a commune in the Lot department in southwestern 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 in the Battle of Tours in 732, is said to have founded the town.
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.
There is an eighteenth-century market hall taking up most of the central cobbled square. Markets are held here on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and during late December or January there is an annual truffle market.
We had a lovely few hours wandering around the fabulous streets of this lovely town.
We found loads of interesting things along the way….
My favourite car of all time – a classic
And we thought we had it good…. 
Until we saw this lad in the window
They also had a goat competition in the town – visitors had to find the 6 hidden goats around the town. I only found three 🥴
Martel was a great town and well worth a visit.
Mutts on Tour 