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The Périgord Inattendu, a region full of character, is overflowing with mills, châteaux, religious buildings and museums that bear witness to a preserved and fascinating heritage. From traditional crafts to medieval relics and unsuspected treasures, exploring this heritage is an immersive experience that will delight lovers of history, architecture and culture.

Immersing yourself in the heritage of the Périgord means travelling through centuries of history as you pass through the villages, discovering Romanesque churches with their unique architecture, stately homes with formal gardens, and museums that tell the story of the skills of yesteryear. Every stone, every fresco, every object on display evokes a living memory, unique to this region where past and present interact in harmony.

Destination en Périgord Inattendu - Châteaux moulins Périgord Inattendu Castles and mills Labelled villagesMusée de l’outil et de la vie au village - Musées en Périgord InattenduMuseumsL'art roman en Périgord - Eglise de Saint-AulayeRomanesque art

Wind and water mills,
witnesses to ancestral know-how

Once an essential part of local life, mills provided the daily rhythms for craftsmen and farmers. Today, many of them continue this tradition, offering visitors a real journey back in time.

Located at La Tour Blanche Cercles, the Terres Blanches windmill is one of the last still in operation. It reveals the secrets of traditional flour-making and revives an age-old tradition. By appointment, visitors can discover the meticulous work of the miller and the fascinating mechanics that drive its wings.

Housed in a former 12th-century mill, the Maison de la Dronne de Montagrier has had several lives: it was a grain mill, has been producing electricity since 1907 and is now a heritage interpretation centre. Its exceptional natural setting makes it a great place to discover and enjoy, with exhibitions, boat trips and botanical explorations.

Moulin des Terres Blanches à-La Tour Blanche

Between grandeur and legends
castles and historic homes

The châteaux of Unexpected Périgord bear witness to its medieval and Renaissance past. Some, still inhabited, are open to visitors through guided tours or immersive events.

The Château de Fayolle brings its history to life with dramatised tours and storytelling in summer, immersing visitors in an atmosphere worthy of the great historical epics. Château de Clauzuroux, with its elegant architecture and formal gardens, offers free tours by appointment, inviting visitors to take a moment out of time.

Every spring, Châteaux en Fête lifts the veil on residences that are usually closed to the public. Medieval activities, fun workshops and live shows punctuate this not-to-be-missed event for history and heritage enthusiasts.

The exceptional heritage
religious buildings

The sacred architecture of the Unexpected Périgord bears witness to a rich history, with medieval paintings, sculpted portals and fortified buildings recounting centuries of tradition and spirituality. Each church, commandery or temple offers a journey through time, revealing remarkable heritage treasures.

Painted and illuminated churches: preserving sacred art

Some of the region’s churches stand out for their exceptional interior decoration, a reflection of the talent of the artists of yesteryear:

  • Saint-Médard church in Saint-Méard de Dronne (admission €2) has had its interior entirely painted since the 12th century, offering a striking display of colour and religious motifs.
  • The church of Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul in Saint-Paul Lizonne amazes visitors with its colourfully painted ceiling, a testament to medieval artistic refinement.
  • The collegiate church of Notre-Dame in Ribérac, as well as the churches of Sainte-Marie in Bourg-des-Maisons and Saint-Martin in Festalemps, are among the finest expressions of Périgord religious art.
  • The church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens in Siorac de Ribérac stands out for its sound and light show, which enhances its architecture while preserving its defensive fortress appearance.

Marvel at the sculpted portals

The entrances to the churches of the Périgord Inattendu are sometimes transformed into veritable works of art, where every carved detail tells a story:

  • The church of Saint-Pierre de Faye and the church of Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul de Grand Brassac boast richly ornate portals, relics of the skills of the stonemasons.
  • The church of Saint-Martin in Saint-Privat en Périgord and the church of Sainte-Eulalie in Saint-Aulaye boast sculpted facades of great finesse, where religious symbols and plant motifs intertwine harmoniously.

The fascinating remains of religious orders

The imprint of religious orders still marks the landscape of the Unexpected Périgord, through emblematic sites:

  • The Combéranche commandery, once the headquarters of the Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem, is a reminder of the importance of military and hospitaller orders in the region.
  • The Protestant temple at La Roche-Chalais, restored in 2010, is a place of remembrance and culture, bearing witness to the region’s religious diversity.
  • The Saint-Antoine de Cumond commandery, a remnant of an order dedicated to caring for the sick, reveals a lesser-known part of thelocal religious history.

A living heritage to discover

From the simplicity of a Romanesque church to the splendour of a Gothic collegiate church, the religious buildings of the Unexpected Périgord tell a rich and fascinating spiritual and architectural story. Each sculpted stone, each restored fresco contributes to the transmission of a precious cultural heritage, to be discovered along the villages and valleys.

Journey back in time
with the museums

The museums of the Périgord Inattendu offer a fascinating insight into local history and traditions.

  • The Costume Museum in Tocane Saint-Apre: an impressive collection of traditional Périgord clothing.
  • The Gallo-Roman museum at Petit Bersac: ancient remains bearing witness to the Roman presence in the region.
  • The museum of records and minerals at La Tour Blanche: an unusual place combining historical curiosities and collections of precious stones.

The Parcot farm offers a different atmosphere. This veritable time capsule invites you to discover traditional farm architecture and the way of life of the olden days. Self-guided or guided tours allow you to explore this site steeped in history, a reflection of the Périgord’s rural heritage.

Saint-Aulaye, a bastide to explore

The only fortified town in the Périgord Vert, Saint-Aulaye has been awarded the Petite Cité de Caractère label, testifying to its rich architectural and historical heritage. A free discovery walk allows you to wander through the narrow streets and admire its emblematic buildings. For a more in-depth look, free guided tours are available from mid-July to mid-August, providing a captivating insight into the history and development of this unique bastide town.

Voir la Bastide de Saint-Aulaye

Heritage, a living history to be shared

Exploring the Périgord Inattendu means following in the footsteps of builders and craftsmen, discovering exceptional examples of architecture and immersing yourself in a past that is still very much alive. Working mills, lively châteaux, ornate churches and immersive museums make this region a veritable open-air history book. Each site you visit reveals anecdotes, traditions and a preserved heritage just waiting to be shared.