Discovering the heritage between Dronne and Belle
Cave art, medieval fortresses or Renaissance châteaux, churches and abbeys… the Périgord between Dronne and Belle invites you to take a real journey through time and is sure to delight all heritage lovers. Every bend in the road reveals a treasure, and there are many exceptional sites waiting to be discovered.
In the shadow of its abbey and thousand-year-old bell tower, the ancient town of Brantôme, nicknamed the Venice of Périgord because of its position on an island surrounded by the river, reveals its secrets as you wander through its narrow streets. An enchanting setting to start your discovery of the region.
Next stop is the village of Bourdeilles, whose majestic castle was, like that of Mareuil, another prestigious stronghold, the seat of one of the four baronies of Périgord.
Nestling in the heart of a green setting, Puyguilhem castle stands out for its grace and epitomises the elegance of Renaissance architecture.
Literature buffs won’t want to miss Château de Richemont, the home of Pierre de Bourdeille, known as Brantôme, an astute chronicler of his time and author of the famous collection Les Dames galantes.
The Château de la Hierce will appeal to history buffs, while the remains of theCistercian abbey of Boschaud, in Villars, exude a profound atmosphere of serenity, conducive to contemplation.
The Villars cave impresses with the enchanting beauty of its natural concretions and the richness of its prehistoric paintings, including one of the rare human representations known in cave art.
The mysterious cluzeaux of Mareuillais – as ancient troglodytic dwellings dug into the rock are known in Périgord – bear witness to human occupation dating back to the earliest times.
At Saint-Crépin-de-Richemont, the millstone trail plunges you into the forgotten history of millstone, once essential to the manufacture of the millstones used to grind grain.
Finally, the local gardens invite you to take a sensory walk and discover the flora of Périgord… and beyond!
