Le Blanquier is situated just outside the mediaval village of Montferrand-du-Périgord and less than 15 minutes drive from famous bastides and other medieval villages, such as Beaumont, Monpazier, or Belvès. While they should definitely be visited, there are also some less famous hidden gems, where you may enjoy some authentic charm of the French countryside away from the tourist crowds.
Let us guide you down the country lanes and inspire you for some “aaaaahhh moments”.
MONTFERRAND-DU-PERIGORD
Our medieval village retains many features typical of the period. Its 11th-century castle features mullioned windows, a keep and ramparts. In the village, there is a beautiful 16th-century market hall supported by stone pillars. The old church is 800m from the village and is a little gem. Its nave and heart are covered with paintings dating from between the 12th and 16th centuries. It is easy to walk to and you can enjoy its charm in quiet contemplation.
SAINT-AVIT-SÉNIEUR
Saint-Avit-Sénieur is a hilltop village with its UNESCO-listed abbey clearly visible in the distance. The building is 55m long. The remains of the cloister are open to visitors. From June to September there is a light show on the facades of the abbey with sound/music effects. A discovery trail has been set up to help visitors discover the village and its history during the Hundred Years’ War. You can also learn about the life of the monks and medieval medicine. There is a little grocery shop which serves drinks as well, a degustation restaurant and since more recently a restaurant with cultural events.
MOLIÈRES
An English bastide founded in 1284, it remained unfinished and became the smallest bastide in Dordogne. In 1316, Guilhem de Toulouse, seneschal of Périgord for Edward II of England, chose Molières as the base of his power and decided to build his castle there. The castle was also unfinished. All that remains is the enclosure with ramparts and a square keep. The narrow streets and arcades of the village are full of charm and greenery. And the pub is also a great place to get some refreshments or a nice meal.
CADOUIN
You can but fall in love with Cadouin, a village full of character, dominated by its abbey in the centre of the village. Founded in 1115, it is a typical example of a monastic site built according to the rule of Saint Benedict. It has all its own buildings: the church, the cloister and the communal area. The church has three naves with four barrel-vaulted bays and a massive west entrance wall. Don’t hesitate to enter the UNESCO-listed cloister. It is a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic art. A stroll through the village’s flower-filled medieval streets will take you to some lovely craft shops. Farmers’ markets are held under the covered market in summer. If you want to surprise your taste buds, we wholeheartedly recommend the fine cuisine restaurant “Les Terrasses de la Côte Rouge”. Make sure you book in advance.
URVAL
This little village surprises with its pretty houses typical of the Dordogne region, with their ochre stone facades and sloping roofs. The narrow streets are full of flowers and decorated with handicrafts. In the heart of the village you’ll find a communal oven, an increasingly rare sight! It was used to bake bread in feudal times. Today it is used once a year for the Urval festival in August! Don’t forget to visit the fortified Romanesque church. It consists of a floor above the nave containing defensive chambers that served as a refuge for the villagers in the event of an attack.