The Tourist Sites the Périgord Vert

Wondering what to visit when you are on holiday in the Dordogne ? Check out our pages which provide information on the best tourist sites in the Périgord Vert, the must-sees when you are on holiday around Brantôme, near the Périgord Limousin Regional Natural Park... Visits to castles, caves, villages and breathtaking natural sites!

Jumilhac Castle (13th, 17th and 18th centuries)

A site in the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, Jumilhac Castle is an ancient fortress which was remodeled during the Renaissance and then covered, around 1600, with magical roofs decorated with ridge tiles with lordly allegories, unique in France.

Restructured in the 17th century and decorated with "French-style" gardens that were renovated on the theme: Gold and Alchemy (two local cultural events). It impresses with its harmony and splendor: large paneled and parqueted living room "à la Versailles", Louis XIII ceremonial staircase, dining room, kitchen with multiple coppers, La Fileuse's bedroom (frescoes and legend)...

Listed as a Historic Monument, the residence of the Marquis de Jumilhac is a witness to five centuries of History, Art and Architecture in Marche Limousine. It reflects the glory and power of the Jumilhacs, its builders, and is known to be "the Black Pearl of Haut Périgord".

Mareuil sur Belle Castle (12th and 15th centuries)

Situated between the vast spaces of the Ribéracois and a rough and high country to the north, Mareuil-sur-Belle is an ancient barony, one of the four of Périgord, and has preserved its 12th century castle. Rebuilt in the 16th century.

Puyguilhem Castle in Villars (16th century)

The Château de Puyguilhem, built at the beginning of the 16th century, presents the characteristics of the Loire châteaux of the time of François 1er. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful Renaissance château in Périgord, in any case the most original and the richest in sculptures. 

Bourdeilles Castle (13th-16th centuries)

Bourdeilles Castle is built on rocks overlooking the Dronne. A former barony of Périgord, it is a feudal fortress and a Renaissance dwelling. It offers you painted decoration from the 16th and 17th centuries. A true museum of furniture.

Château de la Chapelle Faucher (13th and 15th century) (between Brantôme and Thiviers)

Overlooking the Côle Valley, the Château de la Chapelle Faucher has belonged to the same family for 500 years. It is witness to 800 years of history. It was devastated in 1916 by a fire caused by lightning but retains its curtain walls and its entrance postern.

Villars cave

In the heart of the Périgord Vert, the Villars cave, where the concretions are particularly remarkable, is a cavern decorated with paintings dating from the ancient Magdalenian, beautiful and varied, notably representing horses as well as a man/bison scene.

Shaded parking, shop, bar, shaded or covered picnic area.

Villars Cave © Agence Les Conteurs and Departmental Tourism Committee 24

Vendoire peat bogs (near Verteillac)

10,000 years ago, there was only a large basin full of water here. Century after century, in 10 times 1,000 years, men have witnessed its natural filling and have embedded their history in its fragile soil.

You will discover how peat is formed, how it was used by humans over time, and the precious memories left over the ages. You will learn how to date the land and reconstruct geological and human history.

You will listen to the pulsation of a world before pollution. Plants will tell you their secrets along the discovery trails. Marked, they will give you new information that you will not find anywhere else.

You will then dive into a very ancient cultural past. You will marvel at this precious little sanctuary of nature where the peat bog continues to live at its multi-millennial rhythm.

Brantôme Abbey - The oldest bell tower in France

Brantôme Abbey was founded in 769 by Charlemagne. Ransacked by the Normans and rebuilt in the 11th century by Abbot Guillaume , it was mainly Abbot Pierre de Mareuil who built the most characteristic buildings in the 16th century.

After a major restoration in the 19th century, today you will visit the abbey church, the convent buildings, and the Fernand museum.

Boschaud Abbey

Very close to the castle of Puyguilhem, discover the Cistercian abbey of Boschaud dating from the 12th century, devastated during the Hundred Years' War and during the Wars of Religion. Long and sadly abandoned, it was taken over in 1950 by the historical monuments who then undertook to clear and consolidate the ruins

Nestled in the heart of nature, the remains of this ancient abbey are very moving and worth the detour.

Bernardieres Castle

The Château des BERNARDIÈRES is camped on the rocks overlooking the Nizonne. Watchtower or advanced post, it matters little to Bertrand du Guesclin who chases the English away in September 1377.

Varaignes Castle

Workshop-Museum of Weavers and Charentaise Slippers : located within the Château de Varaignes, whose stones bear traces of the evolution of architecture from the 14th century to the end of the 16th century, this workshop-museum presents the trades, technologies and history of textile felt and the peasant-weaver.

Richemont Castle

Richemont Castle is a beautiful castle near Brantôme that offers guided tours in July and August. Built from 1564 by Pierre de Bourdeille , Richemont offers two main buildings at right angles. This is where the writer wrote " Les dames galantes ", he lived in Richemont until his death; you will visit the writer's bedroom in particular...

Meulières interpretation trail

On this archaeological site, you will walk along an interpretive trail of millstone cuttings, 2.7 km long. A walk of about 1h30 min. The visits are free with commentary on request at the Périgord Dronne et Belle Tourist Office. Parking. Walking shoes recommended.

Natural Site of the Argentine Plateau

Along a path, perfectly guided by numerous explanatory panels, you will discover the many riches of the limestone plateau of Argentina. Fauna and Flora, Quarries, Mushroom farms, hilltop village... This site is classified "Natura 2000". Parking. A 6km walk of approximately 2h30 min.

Beaussac Cave

The Beaussac cave is a cave with natural concretions. Different themes are covered during the visit: caving genesis, underground fauna, concretions, prehistoric man and caveman. Accessories for an introduction to caving are provided. Bring boots and a change of clothes. Accessible from 9 years old.

The Auvézère Gorges

The Périgord Vert has several landscape facets composed of remarkable fauna and flora.

Go hiking in the Auvézère gorges to discover a natural, healthy and preserved environment. Hiking maps are available at the Excideuil Tourist Office and several routes are possible.

These are sporty routes where it is essential to have good hiking shoes.

Admire the waterfalls as you walk along the rocks, listen to the soothing sound of the sometimes tumultuous river. Several other loops run along the river and some allow you to see different landscapes as you go.

We wish you a great holiday in Périgord Vert, remember to consult our pages on the best visits to make in Périgord Noir, Périgord Blanc and Périgord Pourpre !