Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère circular walk

de fr

Halfway between Lascaux and Les Eyzies, Saint-Léon lies at the heart of the Vallée de l’Homme. Inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the remains of dwellings at the Conquil site, Saint-Léon owes its name to one of the first bishops of Périgueux. Situated near a Roman road, this village was, until the advent of the railway, primarily a thriving port on the Vézère, so much so that during the Revolution it was known as Port-Léon. From the cemetery chapel at the eastern entrance to the village, the road leads past Clérans Castle and the Manoir de la Salle to a 12th-century Romanesque church with a slate roof, a key venue for the Périgord Noir Music Festival.

Details

n°39321219
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.10 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 338 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 338 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 558 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 220 ft
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Description of the walk

From Montignac-Lascaux, take the D706 towards Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. Park by the war memorial.

(S/E) Take the small road leading down towards the river and go under the iron bridge. After 100 metres, turn right onto the dirt track running alongside the river. Go round the back of the church and continue straight on, following the river. Walk along the castle’s outer wall until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Turn left, then head uphill to the hamlet known as Le Crucifix. Continue straight on until you reach the crossroads.

(2) Turn left and walk to the cemetery.

(3) Take the road on the left and turn right onto Chemin de la Croix. Cross the Route de la Vallée (D706) then take the path opposite leading to the hamlet known as Les Tuilières. The path joins Impasse des Tuilières; follow it to the left until you reach the mast.

(4) Turn left, cross the area known as ‘Les Garennes’ until you reach the Route des Lacets.

(5) Turn left onto it, cross the D706, and continue straight on until you return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 220 ft - Information board by the river - Vézère (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.4 - alt. 226 ft - Junction – path on the left - Vézère (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 0.62 - alt. 243 ft - Impasse de la Rochette
  4. 3 : mi 0.77 - alt. 240 ft - Chemin de la Croix
  5. 4 : mi 1.37 - alt. 558 ft - Transmitter mast
  6. 5 : mi 1.7 - alt. 259 ft - Route des Lacets
  7. S/E : mi 2.1 - alt. 220 ft - Information board by the river - Donjon et Manoir de La Salle

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
2.5 / 5
Marcheur solitaire
Marcheur solitaire

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A leisurely walk, just to stretch your legs; a stroll through the village itself is more interesting.

Machine-translated

HHenri46
HHenri46

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

What’s disappointing is that you’re often on tarmac; it’s not a major criticism of the route
The Dordogne is great for visiting castles and prehistoric sites, but not for hiking

Machine-translated

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