Montcuq

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Montcuq is a small town and commune in south-western France in the Lot département. Lying 25km outside of Cahors, its residents are known as Montcuqois.

The town remains vibrant and a popular tourist destination. It still has a rich agricultural industry, and is known for its manufacture of meringues and gaufres de Saint Daumes waffles.

The town's name derives from the Latin montem cuci meaning "cuckoo mountain".

[edit] History

The town's foundation dates back to at least Roman times.

A stronghold of the Cathars the town received its charter from Raymond VI in the 12th century. On June 1, 1212, Simon de Montfort took the castle after it had been deserted by its defenders, and gave it to Beaudouin, half-brother of the Count of Toulouse, an ally of the Crusaders.

On February 17, 1214 Beaudouin marched on the Château de Lolmie, and after a short battle was arrested by Ratier de Castelnau, despite also being an ally of de Montfort. Transported to Montcuq and deprived of food, he refused to order his soldiers to surrender. The French garrison offered to surrender if their lives be spared, but they were soon massacred. Beaudouin was Montauban and hanged at his brother's command.

After the Treaty of Meaux in 1229, the French king rebuilt the walls of both the town and castle of which only the keep remains.

The castle was retaken several times by the English during the 14th century, and in the 16th century was plundered by the Huguenots.

[edit] Trivia

In a well-known joke (1976), Daniel Prevost in his TV show visits the town and jokes by asking a Montcuquois : "Is Montcuq is well lit? Because I've heard it was sometimes gloomy...". Montcuq sounds like in the french "mon cul", meaning 'my ass'. [1])