La Tour-Blanche-Cercles is a town in Dordogne, in Aquitaine region Nova, 35 km northwest of Perigueux.
It was established in January 1, 2017 following the merger of La Tour Blanche, the seat (406 inhabitants) and Circles (200 inhabitants), and therefore has just over 600 inhabitants.
The territory of 23 square kilometers is crossed by Julie, a tributary of the Dronne, and has a green and discreetly hilly landscape, acting transition space between green and Périgord Charente.
The two villages share a unified now already common history. Dependent Perigord in the early Middle Ages, occupied by British troops during the Hundred Years War, The Tower and White Circles incorporate a castellany attached to the fourteenth Angoumois. It was not until the Revolution that they found Perigord and be included in the new department of Dordogne.
Rich of heritage interest and unspoilt rural setting, the two villages have a leisure offer expanded. La Tour-Blanche-Cercles thus reveals a stage of interest during a stay in this rich and greedy tourist area...
Several sites and buildings in the new town testify to a rich past and prove interesting heritage elements to discover.
A circuit can start with the castle of La Tour Blanche, built from the tenth to the twelfth century on a hill, with local materials (lime stone, tiles). Despite a fire in a wing that was still inhabited in 2015, it remains the facades of parties to the regular style (possibly revised) and especially a square tower pierced with loopholes deemed as one of the oldest in France. The assembly is protected as historical monuments. The property is private and restoration is underway. One can however admire all from the road.
In the hamlet of Jonvelle, the ruins of the eponymous castle are also protected (dating from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries), and can be added again, this time better preserved Manor Nanchapt also called Castle Roumailhac. This noble house whose construction was completed in 1617, was restored in the eighteenth and is characterized by two main buildings at right angles indicated by a tower with a staircase leading to the two wings.
Always on the village of Tour-Blanche, on the religious level, the early Gothic church had been burned down during the Wars of Religion, it was replaced by a former hospital chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Recluse and became the church of St. Peter and St. Paul. At the end of the sixteenth century, a square bell tower was added. We still notice at a counter outside a niche containing a statue of the Madonna, proof that the old hospital welcomed the pilgrims.
A dovecote seventeenth century cylindrical and has a conical roof, dormers housing the bearers (niches for pigeons) is also worth visiting, as is the beautiful hall built in the eighteenth century attests to the commercial vocation town. Featuring wooden aisles, the building was once converted into a school and then hall before being restored in 2004 and to recover its original vocation.
In the village, finally, there will be a beautiful stone cross with a bas-relief of the sun and a star of five rays evoking the five wounds of Christ during the Passion.
On the old village of Circles, which is named after its circular shape, the most significant heritage element is the windmill of the White Lands, which dates from the fourteenth century and has been a successful restoration after its acquisition by the community. An association is responsible for its maintenance and animation of the site. The building can be admired freely all year but you can also visit the daily in July and August, weekends in May, June and September and by appointment the rest of the year. Price: € 1. Information +33 5 53 91 11 98. Note that flour is regularly produced and sold on the spot, as hiking trails start from the mill and a picnic area has been set nearby.
Three mansions are also seen in the village: the castle of Fongrenon (XVII), the manor of Bernerie (XVII) and the more ancient, the Calonie, with a dovecote, dating from the thirteenth century to its parts the oldest.
On the religious level, finally, Saint-Cybard church, classified in 1840 as historical monuments, was first included in a priory of the abbey of Angouleme. Dating back to the twelfth century, rebuilt since the Gothic style at the gate and vaults, it impresses with its fortified character: a crenellated tower, west side, adjacent to the church indeed shaped cross. Inside, there is also the arches of the nave, the choir and transept fall on thirty carved capitals.
In the southwest of the territory of the new town, is the last heritage element: Jovelle cave dug into the limestone, inside which were unearthed artifacts and rock carvings dating from the Paleolithic. The site is not accessible except for specialists, is doubly classified: it is protected under the classical monuments but also ecologically as six bat species have found refuge.
Note that a flyer is available for visitors wishing to visit the town thanks to a signposted discovery trail. To remove the town hall. Information +33 5 53 91 11 98.
For leisure, we appreciate being able to visit La Tour Blanche no less than three museums remain housed in the same building.
The first is devoted to plumbing and presents some 1,000 objects tin (lanterns, kitchen utensils, chocolate pots, churns, decorated boxes of time...).
The second presents a collection of 300 stones and fossils found on five continents. Each room has a card stating his name and origin.
The third museum is dedicated to Records. These objects presented or reproduced by local artisans who were exposed during the Festival Records was once held in common. Both scenic and fun but sometimes very serious: some objects were written in the famous Guinness Book.
The museums are open every day except Monday from 1 July to 31 August. Admission: € 1.50. Pass visit three museums: 2 euros. Information +33 5 53 91 11 98.
Natural side, Circles on the Limodore garden is dedicated to the different varieties of orchids available, whether natural or cultured, in the Perigord. Built on a plot of limestone plateau, dotted with small trees and lawns, the garden is maintained by volunteers. Visit in the spring flowering period from April to June on Wednesday and Saturday and the last Sunday in April and the second Sunday of May. By appointment outside these periods. Price: 4 euros. Information +33 5 53 90 86 83.
Most recently was also inaugurated the wild park, always at the ancient village of Circles. It offers a fun course dedicated to all audiences including robbery (hawks), an educational farm and observing wildlife areas (eg wolves). Open from April to the end of the All Saints holidays. Admission: € 5. Information +33 6 83 10 87 39.
The new joint is finally a true paradise for lovers of hiking. Maps and information +33 5 53 90 03 10.
