Coly Saint-Amand: discovery of a typical Périgord town

It is all the charm of Périgord that we discover by visiting this territory and more particularly the village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly. Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France , you only need a glance to understand the reason for this distinction. A few minutes from Montignac Lascaux , the town of Coly Saint-Amand straddles the Vallée de l'Homme and the Sarladais . Learn more about the heritage , culture and history of the village by walking on one of the educational trails . The inhabitants are warm , they love their village of which they share all the secrets with the curious visitors that we are… Shall we go?

The 12th century abbey, the heart of the village

The abbey is located in the heart of the village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly and it is only a few kilometers below that the small village of Coly and its abbey castle can be found , along the pretty stream of the same name. If the town is extensive, the heart of the village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly is collected and nestled peacefully between two valleys. We park at the entrance to the village or in the parking lot of the old tobacco dryer to start a real fun and educational journey through time!

The former tobacco dryer (now a village hall and catering service for school children)

It is estimated that the birth of the village dates back to the 6th century , the name comes from a hermit who came to evangelize the local rural population. It was in the 12th century that the construction of the imposing Abbey began , with its monumental bell tower 30m high. At that time, the abbey hosted a powerful Augustinian monastic community . Until the 14th century the Abbey prospered, then its decline began and in the middle of the 15th century, at the end of the Hundred Years War, it was largely destroyed along with the village. The wars of religion end up damaging it, then making it fall into oblivion and it threatens to collapse several times, under the eyes of the helpless inhabitants attached to this emblematic and protective building of the village. It is from the XIXth century and with the help of Abbot Carrier and the inhabitants , that the restoration is undertaken and still in progress; today, this responsibility is assumed by the small municipality of 600 inhabitants. The Abbey Church as well as the remains of the fortifications have been classified since 1886 as Historical Monuments .

Enter the Abbey, go through the porch , observe its fortifications , its steeple wall with its stained glass windows, the ceiling of the nave, the high passages, numerous and preserved, the beauty of the ground… On leaving, take a tour of the remains of the Abbey to take on the magnitude of the past grandeur of this inestimable religious heritage!

Pass the porch and admire the imposing steeple wall

Inside the Abbey Church

You have to take a step back to appreciate the 30m abbey in all its height

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Visit the village, know everything, know everything

The inhabitants are very invested in sharing the cultural and heritage elements of their village.

The summer season is punctuated by various events:

• Festival of street performances (s) " Saint-Amand makes his interesting "
• Young theater festival " Les Fabulesques "
• Black Périgord Festival (baroque music).

The Association " Les Amis de Saint-Amand" organizes visits to the Abbey and helps welcome visitors to the Espace Patrimoine.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays there are visits to the Abbey Church . Join a visit to exchange with enthusiasts and learn more about the history of this place.

To organize your stay in Saint-Amand-de-Coly and decide on your getaways, visits and discoveries in this sector, trust the entire team of the Lascaux Dordogne Vallée Vézère Tourist Office! The nearest reception office is in Montignac.

Several interpretation trails are available in Saint-Amand de Coly, they are organized in loops and are provided with informative and educational panels. One of the trails is structured like a game that will be very popular with children!

Coly Saint-Amand, a well-developed village

Take a walk on the flora and fauna interpretation trail and follow in the footsteps of Lébérou

Signs inform you all along the heritage trail

This is the opportunity to enjoy beautiful views

The Historical Circuit allows you to learn more about the History and Heritage of the village, it is a loop with fairly steep reliefs, but which are all opportunities to admire sumptuous viewpoints on the roofs of lauze of the village, the surrounding landscapes and beautiful perspectives on the Abbey.

The nature trail allows you to discover the flora and fauna of the village, passing through pretty wooded areas , count 2.5 km of walking with good shoes. It continues with a fun course for young and old that transports you to the world of local tales , with in particular a discovery of what a Lébérou is … The famous Lébérou!

Saint-Amand-de-Coly is a playground and adventure playground and although the village center is quite small, these explorations will give you the impression of the opposite. You will spend a beautiful day traveling these different routes . The course is also dotted with shady corners , with beautiful views and picnic tables, for those who have thought of bringing food.

Do not forget to also go to survey the rest of the town : towards the village of Coly , the river of the same name flows, it is very pretty! There is a good restaurant, a craft brewery and pretty shaded areas for a stroll. Also follow the road towards the high hills, to admire the view! On the road to Montignac, on the left is the Domaine de la Grande Filolie. There is a very nice chateau, which is private, but you can park and go for a bike ride around the estate or on foot. It is the starting point for many hikes to Valojoulx and the Aubareil Chapel.

Around the village, you can enjoy beautiful views and sometimes you can even see as far as Auvergne, depending on the weather conditions.

A natural village, very well flowered

The educational panels explain what you observe: the old stones, the buildings ...

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Eating at Coly Saint-Amand

In the village there are several catering outlets.

In Saint-Amand-de-Coly:

• The Hôtel de l'Abbaye, just in front of the entrance porch of the Abbey.
• The C.art.thé.sien tea room, near the old tobacco dryer.

In season, on Tuesday evening, you will enjoy a very beautiful local producers' market, with local products, crafts and festive entertainment.

In Coly:

• La Table de Jean in Coly
• The Restaurant of the Manoir Hautegente

The Coly flowing peacefully. It is a mysterious river, the water is very pure and its resurgence plunges miles underground, several explorations have been carried out, without ever succeeding in finding the origin of the Coly!

Accommodation at Coly Saint-Amand

Many accommodations are available at Coly Saint-Amand. Very well located, the town is a few minutes from Montignac Lascaux and the Vézère Valley; you are also right next to Terrasson and Corrèze for a day trip and above all less than 20 minutes from the medieval city of Sarlat and its famous Saturday market, filled with delicacies.

Whether you prefer a hotel , a charming cottage or the friendliness of a bed and breakfast , the good atmosphere of a campsite or unusual accommodation in the trees, there is everything you need! The town's website has made available to holidaymakers a document that groups together all the accommodation.

To discover and visit

In Saint-Amand-de-Coly:

• Stroll through the village and discover the work of Alain Lagorsse , Meilleur Ouvrier de France, a copper and brass craftsman.
• Don't feel like driving or walking on vacation? Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Périgord by renting a bike , at the Coly Saint-Amand mountain bike rental base . You can also take part in guided hikes.
• Electric bikes are available for self-service at stations outside the tourist reception offices of Montignac, Les Eyzies, Le Bugue and Rouffignac . A good idea for traveling the hilly paths of Périgord ...
• If you like chocolate and nuts , come see Muriel at her farm just outside the village, she will introduce you to her Choconoiseries .
• Gourmets can also meet at the regional products shop , just at the entrance to the village. There are all kinds of delicacies but also objects produced by local artisans, honey , confectionery , preserves , jewelry … Perfect for gifts !
  
  

In the village of Coly:

• Push the door of the artisanal brewery La Chavagn ' , which brews delicious beers with the very pure water of Coly. Several ranges are available in the store and tours can be organized.
• Fans of good food are familiar with the taste properties of saffron , which, even used in very small quantities, powerfully flavor any dish. Discover the Safrans du Périgord , at Christian.

La Grande Filolie

Play sports at Coly Saint-Amand!

We hope that all this information will have made you want to discover the very charming town of Coly Saint-Amand, not to be missed during your holidays in Périgord Noir and near Montignac Lascaux .

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