Saint-Jean-de-Côle walks

A walk in the countryside completes your visit to Saint-Jean-de-Côle, one of the most beautiful villages in France, first along the hillside, on the shaded route of the old railway line, and then on the crest of the hills overlooking the Côle valley.

A lovely walk through the rolling countryside of the Périgord Vert, well marked between meadows and woods. The route is proposed and maintained by the local association "Amis Chemin".

A fairly long but easy hike: the slopes are gentle and the elevation gain is moderate. There are some beautiful wooded sections, mainly towards the end, and a few views of the rolling countryside, but there are also some paved sections that can be a bit long.

A circular alternative to the walk to Saut du Chalard takes you along the rushing Dronne river on a slightly difficult path at the bottom of a wooded valley that is always shaded.

Brantôme, the Venice of Périgord...

This is a pleasant, shaded walk, away from roads, along the banks of the River Isle, at the foot of the Château de Jumilhac-le-Grand. Have fun counting the number of bridges you cross. Here's a clue: you can count them on the fingers of one hand.

Or the ancient winter solstice circular. During this hike, you can see the throne of the King of the Chauzes, which, together with the Rey des Chauzes, forms the ancient winter solstice observatory: explanation on site. You can also see the Cluzeau de Borie Belet and Merovingian sarcophagi.

This hike will give you an insight into the life of the monks of the Order of Grandmont, who were only allowed to eat fish from the large pond at Saint-Estèphe. You will pass their priory, then the Menhir de Fixard and the Tour de Piégut with its history. You can also take an old Roman road and explore the discoveries of centuries past in the small villages you pass through.

Some points of interest in the village: you will pass the Tour Pigeonnier, the Pierre à Sacrifice or Peyre d'Ermale or Dermale. Further on, there is a climbing site and a troglodytic village dating from the 12th-13th centuries. Don't miss the Peyrelevade dolmen, dating from the Neolithic period and listed as a Historic Monument since 1960, and the sculptures visible on the gate of a quarry.

Discover the Bonnes Fontaines de Courbefy, unique places of worship that are found in large numbers in Limousin. Those in Courbefy were particularly renowned and frequented, one of them even accompanied by a cross covered with ex-votos, offerings and marks of devotion. Courbefy is an abandoned village, and the announcement of its sale made international headlines a few years ago.

Come and discover Périgueux, capital of the Périgord region, rooted in its past but still as lively as ever. Its narrow streets and small squares are sure to charm you.

This route will take you to the heart of Limousin villages, past oratories, good fountains and prayer trees, witnesses to ancestral spiritual activity. You are in the Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park.

Hike from the centre of Granges d'Ans, through the countryside along pretty communal paths and a few tarmac sections. Enjoy the landscapes and views of the hills. Don't hesitate to take a few detours to see the wash houses.

A beautiful hike covering many kilometres but with little elevation gain. Pleasant paths between low walls and woods, especially after the hamlet of Beauzens. Interesting village, churches, castle, hamlet of Beauzens, stele.

A beautiful hike that can be adapted to suit your preferences (shorter or longer variants, return trips to viewpoints). Lots of pleasant paths in the woods, few roads. Numerous viewpoints, a castle, springs, a pond...

This loop, mainly through woodland, will take you to some of the Périgord Noir's lesser-known châteaux: Saint-Rabier, Rastignac, Larres and Le-Maine. A steep climb will take you to the heights of Larres from Taravellou. The return journey is on a gentler slope through the village of La-Chapelle-Saint-Jean. There is a bit of tarmac at the start and finish, but overall there are far more paths than roads.

A superb walk, mostly through woodland with very little road. Walk around Peyrignac and its hamlets, enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest.