The troglodyte village of La Madeleine in Périgord Noir
The troglodyte village of La Madeleine in Périgord Noir
865 m - Tursac
Family Time
- English
DISCOVER THE TROGLODYTIC VILLAGE OF LA MADELEINE IN THE VÉZÈRE VALLEY
A prehistoric and medieval getaway near Les Eyzies in the heart of one of the major tourist sites of the Périgord Noir.
The troglodyte village of La Madeleine, nestled in Tursac, on the road between Montignac-Lascaux and Les Eyzies, offers a fascinating dive into the history of the Magdalenian, dating back no less than 17,000 years.
Explore this unique site, witness to human occupation over the centuries, in an exceptional natural setting, at the heart of the major tourist sites of the Périgord Noir.
A prehistoric immersion in the Vézère valley
La Madeleine reveals itself as a troglodyte village with its sumptuous rock shelters in the heart of nature.
On the Prehistory Route, in the Vézère Valley, this very important site immerses visitors in the heart of the lives of our ancestors.
An invitation to explore a friendly village, totally new in the region, offering a unique perspective on different eras of human occupation.
An enriching visit to La Madeleine
The guided tour, conducted by enthusiasts, is recommended to fully appreciate this site, although independent exploration (with audio guide) is also possible.
Enhanced with clear and educational interpretation panels, the visit allows you to understand the uses, customs, trades, activities, habitat and conservation of food at different times.
The village of La Madeleine is an experience that changes with the seasons, offering a pleasant family stroll to be enjoyed for at least half a day, or even longer if you plan a picnic.
A linear walk through the heart of prehistory
The visit begins with sumptuous views of a snail of the Vézère, dominating this part of the valley. During the summer months, you can observe canoes navigating on the river.
After crossing a wooded environment, you will reach the foot of the cliff, where shelters reconstructed with different period materials are revealed. Some are semi-troglodytic, leaning against the cliff, while others exploit the natural crevices of the limestone rock to become real habitats.
La Madeleine is not simply an exhibition or a chance reconstruction, but a real educational site.
The museography enlightens visitors on the different periods of occupation, highlighting the customs, traditions, architectural techniques, trades, activities, habitat, and food preservation.
A journey to the Middle Ages in the heart of the village
La Madeleine reveals its medieval past with the old ruined Petit Marzac castle, halfway through the visit.
During the Middle Ages, the site was a small fortified town, with a castle and all the necessary amenities. The grandiose communal oven, dedicated to baking bread for the lord and his villagers, captivates the attention of visitors.
The village of La Madeleine thus offers a dive into history, revealing an occupation of the site in the Middle Ages, with a small town equipped with defensive installations and infrastructure for daily life.
The Peasants of La Madeleine: a journey through time
The visit to the village continues with an exploration of a new place, which emerged four years ago: Les Paysans de la Madeleine.
Managed by the Hamelin family, this site completes the troglodyte village. Charles and Louis develop the village, while Marie, Louis' sister, realizes a project of a peasant farm.
Together, they revive the traditions of the former inhabitants of La Madeleine, offering an authentic link with the past. Visitors can discover the vegetable garden, an exhibition in an old tobacco drying shed, the farm animals, the medicinal garden and the bakery.
An educational and gourmet experience
The Paysans de la Madeleine transmit the know-how of the peasantry through rich experiences.
The peasant farm offers an immersion in the peasant world, with workshops, activities, Bal Trad type evenings and the Festival of ancient trades in May (for the Ascension weekend).
New “nature” activities are offered, such as animal tracking and cosmetic care workshops using plants from the medicinal garden.
Adults can learn the basics of blacksmithing. An exhibition of photos, objects and agricultural tools in a tobacco drying shed offers a real immersion into the site's past. Some evenings, storytelling evenings bring tales and legends to life in the fantastic setting of the village clinging to the limestone cliff.
A historical discovery of the site of La Madeleine
The site of La Madeleine was discovered in 1863 by Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy, two enthusiasts of primitive arts. The prehistoric site dates back to the occupation of hunter-gatherers and the excavations revealed flint tools, spearheads, decorated limestone plaques, sculptures and engravings of animals, pierced sticks, bone needles, pendants and ornaments.
The most extraordinary discovery was an engraving of a mammoth on a fragment of ivory, proving the coexistence of man and mammoth. La Madeleine thus became a strategic shelter in the 10th century, offering protection against Norman invasions.
An evolution over the centuries
Over the centuries, La Madeleine developed thanks to its favorable environment. The proximity of the alluvial plains facilitated livestock breeding and agriculture. The surrounding plateaus provided game and the Vézère was a crucial economic communication axis. The barges transported various goods on the river, stimulating the local economic growth. La Madeleine prospered until the industrial revolution and the arrival of the train.
The Peasants of La Madeleine: the transmission of peasant common sense
Since 2020, the village of La Madeleine has been looking to the future with the Ferme des Paysans de La Madeleine. This educational farm aims to pass on the know-how of farming, renewing the links between the people of the cliffs and their environment. The site highlights the natural beauty of the place.
A gourmet experience in summer
In summer, visitors can discover the farm's production, from the vegetable garden to the bakery, with artisanal production of natural sourdough bread baked in a wood-fired oven. The plants and vegetables from the garden supply the catering area, offering an outdoor gourmet experience.
Immerse yourself in history and nature at La Madeleine, a preserved prehistoric and medieval site, offering an educational and enriching experience for all history and heritage enthusiasts.
Enjoy a full day or half-day with your family to explore the secrets of La Madeleine and discover peasant traditions with Les Paysans de La Madeleine. A journey through time in the heart of the Périgord Noir awaits you.
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