Travel Around The Clock

About twenty kilometers from Brive-la-Gaillarde , on the border between Limousin and Quercy, Collonges-la-Rouge offers an original and unusual spectacle, both for the splendor of its buildings in purple sandstone, against the contrasting green of the valley and for the wealth of its heritage. Collonges-la-Rouge Mornings are probably the best time to visit it; sitting for a moment on the terrace of a café, listening to the village gradually awakening and admiring the sunlight that magnifies this architectural gem. Collonges-la-Rouge The village has very ancient origins. Indeed, the monks of the Charroux abbey in Poitou founded a priory here in the 8th century following a donation from Count Roger de Limoges. The priory was integrated by the Viscount de Turenne in 844 that attracted, under his protection, a population of peasants, artisans and traders. Around its buildings, protected by a fence, the community thrived on pilgrims, heading to Compostela via Rocamadour, as a source of incom...

Beynac In the heart of the Périgord Noir, in the Dordogne Valley, Beynac-et-Cazenac is one of the “most beautiful villages in France”.  Built on limestone cliffs, it has a unique character, surely more defensive than La Roque Gageac but more open than Domme , with its castle clinging to the cliff and overlooking the entire valley.  Beynac The “magic trio” of Beynac, namely the river, the village and the castle, is somewhat a trademark, which contributes to the reputation of this charming village of just over 500 inhabitants. Beynac The small medieval village of Beynac-et-Cazenac enchants the visitors with its old cobbled streets and squares, its stately chapel which has become the Church of Sainte Marie, its Calvary overlooking the Dordogne and its views of exceptional beauty. Beynac Beynac Beynac Beynac Beynac Walking through the narrow and steep alleys, amidst houses with lauze roofs and blond facades, you can reach the top of the village, from where the imposing Beynac cas...

Saint-Emilion is the ideal destination for a weekend break in the countryside and a must stop on a road trip through France. Saint-Emilion Saint-Emilion is known all over the world for its wines and its beautiful chateaux surrounded by vineyards, but very few people know that this village has a rich history of 2000 years. One of the testimonies of this historical baggage is underground, in the 200 Km of galleries that run under the village; the rest is above, in the many religious buildings and monuments to visit .  The village was founded in the 8th century by a Breton monk, Emilian. Since 1999, Saint Emilion and the 8 municipalities within its jurisdiction have been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site .  Here, the omnipresent limestone provides an exceptional soil for the vines. And the same limestone was used to build the elegant medieval city and many buildings in Bordeaux. As soon as you enter this small town, you will come across the ancient ruins of a former Dominic...

Gateway to the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park , Brantôme is the pearl of the Périgord Vert. Its position on an island nestled below a cliff, between two arms of the Dronne river, earned it the nickname "Venice of the Périgord". Brantome Brantôme has the appearance of a magical city that reveals its beauty around its medieval alleys: its imposing abbey, its beautiful Renaissance style houses and its gardens crossed by canals project the visitor back in time. Brantome The majestic Benedictine abbey, founded at the end of the 8th century, rises by the river, watched over by its Romanesque bell tower (one of the oldest in France), while, behind the limestone cliff, a little jewel shelters: the remains of the troglodyte monastery including the enigmatic Cave of the Last Judgment adorned with two monumental bas-reliefs.   Bell Tower, Brantome  Last Judgement cave, Brantome  Saint Sicarius fountain, Brantome It is said that Charlemagne consecrated the abbey a...

Dramatically built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the homonymous village, the Château de Bourdeilles, is one of the four baronies of Périgord  (Beynac, Mareuil, Biron et Bourdeilles). It had an eventful history, especially during the Hundred Years War , and has seen, over the centuries, the construction and destruction of several buildings. Chateau de Bourdeilles Today the site brings together two castles from different eras: a medieval fortress from the 13th century flanked by an impressive keep and an elegant Renaissance dwelling housing the richest furniture collection in Nouvelle Aquitaine , including more than 700 works. Chateau de Bourdeilles The architecture of the 13th century castle is clearly military: the imposing ensemble consists of a courtyard surrounded by fortified walls, an octagonal keep and a stately home.  In the courtyard, there is a gate tower, surrounding walls pierced with niches and machicolations as well as a rampart walk, attesting to the defen...

Built at the end of the 15th century and later transformed by François de Caumont out of love for his wife, the Chateau des Milandes became famous thanks to Joséphine Baker who acquired it in 1937. Often called a “woman's castle” because of its history and its architecture with soft and harmonious lines, it perfectly combines the spirit of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Chateau des Milandes A stately chapel to the south of the castle was built in 1503. True gem of Gothic art, this funeral chapel  chapel, mutilated during the Revolution, is now under restoration. During excavations inside the building, 16th century paintings and wall frescoes were discovered; a true unsuspected and inestimable treasure. A painting restoration project has been launched by the owner of the castle, to safeguard this heritage. Chapel, Chateau des Milandes Let’s not forget the architectural beauty of the Château des Milandes with its delicate, regular and elegant lines and its typically Gothic so...

Chateau de Losse In the town of Thonac, near Montignac and the prehistoric caves of Lascaux , in the Périgord Noir, the Chateau de Losse and its gardens dominate the Vézère valley.  Originally, a medieval stronghold, the castle is surrounded by wide and deep moats, and it's accessible via a large châtelet which gives the whole building an impression of power, before entering the inner courtyard. The harmonious proportions of the buildings and the decoration of its facade reveal all the elegance of the Renaissance architecture. It was in the 12th century, that the de Losse family, originally from Flanders, stronghold of the crown of France, settled on the banks of the Vézère. The Marquis Jean II de Losse will be its worthy representative. By his will, the castle was transformed in 1576 into a private residence.  Chateau de Losse Page under François 1st, he became captain and fiery adversary of Charles V and acquired high responsibilities as Governor before becoming a ...