Mareuil en Périgord

The new town has an important historical heritage built (castles, churches), most of these sites are classified or protected as historical monuments.

A boon for visitors and vacationers lovers of old stones and history!

On the religious level, it is necessary to mention, in Mareuil, which remains chief town of the town, the church Saint-Pardoux, Romanesque style, built in the twelfth century, but which was considerably reshaped in the fifteenth. We admire in particular its square bell-tower adorned with arcatures, renowned as one of the most beautiful Périgord. Information in +33 5 53 60 96 04. And in the village, the church of St. Lawrence, also built in the twelfth century, has kept original only the Romanesque bell tower and his couple. The building was enlarged in the 16th century, now forming a flamboyant Gothic quadrilateral. Information on +33 5 53 60 91 20.

In Saint-Sulpice de Mareuil, the eponymous Romanesque church dates from the 12th century and although its architecture seems sober (a single nave and a vaulted choir with dome dominated by a square steeple), it is its portal decorated very carved (angels and carved griffins) that holds the attention.

In Champeaux-et-La Chapelle-Pommier, the Saint-Martin sur Champeaux church is typical of the Gothic Perigord style, still close to the Romanesque. We can see between the nave and the choir a dome surmounted by a square bell tower pierced with twin bays. Do not miss to admire the old painting, preserved on the door of the sacristy, which represents an abbess. Visit on request at +33 6 12 46 21 38. On La Chapelle-Pommier, the church of Saint-Fiacre dates from the early twelfth century and was the subject of fortification during the Hundred Years War: a defense chamber is thus visible above the choir. Guided tour by appointment on +33 5 53 56 56 34.

In Beaussac, do not forget the Romanesque church of Saint-Etienne (12th century) and the Graulges, the 12th century church which ends with a flat chevet and is endowed with a singular choir of square plan, whose vault forms a dome. On the west facade, a row of arches is supported by columns with capitals adorned with foliage and animals.

Finally, in Leguillac, the Saint-Maurice church was built in the 12th century and like others, was fortified in the 15th, between the Hundred Years War and before the wars of Religion. The bell tower rises from one of the two cupolas surmounting the nave.

As far as the castles of the new town are concerned, the most famous is that of Mareuil, which was the seat of one of the four baronies of Périgord in the Middle Ages (with Beynac, Biron and Bourdeilles). It has the particularity of being a stronghold of plain (unlike fortresses built on spurs to dominate the surroundings). Its moat was formerly fed by the Belle River. The first castle destroyed during the Hundred Years War, it was rebuilt to become a pleasant residence in the fifteenth century and has a flamboyant Gothic chapel. Owned by the family of Talleryrand-Périgord under the Ancien Régime, the castle is maintained and even restored but rarely inhabited. In the twentieth century, it is even the heart of a farm. Beginning in 1963, the estate whose main building forms an L and which is reached by a ramp lined with defensive elements is bought by the dukes of Montebello. Composed of buildings ranging from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, the birthplace of the Arnaut de Mareuil troubadour in the twelfth century, the castle houses a room dedicated to Marshal Lannes (First Empire), grandfather of the current owners. Visit by appointment on +33 5 53 60 46 18.

The territory of the municipality reserves to its visitors other castles! Like the castle Barnardières on Champeaux and La Chapelle-Pommier: the building has the particularity of including elements dating from the feudal period (XIII), and remodeling made in the seventeenth century. Two singularities have marked the history of this castellany. Thus, in the thirteenth century, in a tower, lives for a time the famous Barbarossa, bey of Algiers and admiral of the Turkish fleet. Later, the estate is at the heart of famous forges to make ammunition for the Royal Navy. Information on +33 5 53 60 94 61.

Finally, in Beaussac, a detour through the castle of Aucors is not without interest: built in the eleventh century on a natural rocky outcrop, the fortified site was held by the English during the Hundred War before being taken over by the French in 1435 following a long siege. At the beginning of the 16th century, the house and then a staircase were rebuilt, but the site that borders a cliff is again heavily damaged during the wars of religion. A century later, a new owner gives it life, the central body being framed by watch towers and in the seventeenth century, finally, a spectacular terrace overlooking the void is added. Outdoor visit from July 15th to August 30th. Information on +33 5 53 05 80 63.

Between historic heritage and natural curiosity, the Cluzeaux of Saint-Pardoux-de-Mareuil are also worth a visit, natural caves that were developed and occupied by man since the High Middle Ages. Cavities are used as reserves of grains, others bear the traces of shelves or troughs. Historians claim that a religious community also occupied the site, sarcophagi discovered nearby attesting to the existence of a necropolis on this hill. Information on +33 5 53 05 80 63.

On Beaussac, another cave is visited, but in a more sporting way: including an introduction to speleology, the discovery of galleries and their concretions and specific fauna can delight young people and adults. Information on +33 5 53 05 80 63.

In terms of recreation and sports "nature", still, we can consider a game of mini golf in La Charrue, Vieux-Mareuil (contact +33 5 53 56 65 59), an equestrian ride to the domain of Beaurecueil (join the +33 (0) 5 53 60 99 84) or provide a tasty snack based on regional products paired with a discovery of Arab horses bred in freedom on Mareuil (price: 16 to 20 euros, information +33 6 76 82 85 10).

On Mareuil again, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts and fitness trails are accessible to visitors. Inquire at +33 5 53 60 91 20.

Finally, the territory of the new town is a paradise for lovers of hiking with no less than 13 marked trails, mountain bikers also having many circuits crisscrossing these green landscapes available. Maps and information on +33 5 53 05 80 63.

Every Tuesday morning, the market of Mareuil makes it possible to apprehend the flavors of the regional soil, and the 28 of each month, a big trade fair animates the market town of Mareuil.

In mid-June, in Saint-Pardoux, contest and exhibition of paintings and sculptures.

July 14, concert in the church of the village of Mareuil.

The third weekend of September, art exhibitions in several castles and heritage sites of the new municipality.

The last weekend of September, festival of nomadic arts (circuses, street theater).

In early October in Saint-Pardoux, traditional festival of Broudichoux (with folkloric parades).

• From 13 to 27 april 2024
• 109 impasse de la Vergne, Repaire de la Vergne
• Presentation of repaire de la vergne - Presentation and history of Le Repaire de la Vergne - Free - This event will take place outdoors, but can be moved indoors in case of bad weather - No reservation required

• From 13 to 28 april 2024
• 109 impasse de la Vergne, Repaire de la Vergne
• Free tour of the dovecote - Take a stroll through the dovecote, dating from the early 15th century, and discover the ashlar bolts served by a revolving ladder. - Free - This activity is indoors - No reservation required

• From 13 to 26 april 2024
• 116 impasse de Beaurecueil, Château de Beaurecueil
• Local heritage exhibition - An exhibition of local heritage collected and presented by Yannick Parrot. - Au chapeau - Reservations recommended by e-mail to jean-noel.cuenod@orange.fr (places are limited).

• From 17 to 27 april 2024
• 109 impasse de la Vergne, Repaire de la Vergne
• Exhibition and painting workshop - Sybille Waroux-Marselier draws us into her pictorial rewriting, to be discovered in the course of her exhibition and then in the workshops on offer. "Aquarelles en libertés" from April 17 to 22 and "Balades en aquarelles/carnet de voyage" from April 23 to 27,2024 - 10 ? Per person, with complimentary snack - This activity is indoors - Bring your own supplies - Reservations recommended online or at syboule@gmail.com

• On 24 april 2024
• 116 impasse de Beaurecueil, Château de Beaurecueil
• Children's dance workshop - Discovery dance workshop for children and teenagers, with a performance at 5 p.m. in the Salle Alcide-Dusolier. - Au chapeau - Indoor activities. - Reservations recommended by e-mail to jean-noel.cuenod@orange.fr (places limited to 110).

• From 27 to 28 april 2024
• 116 impasse de Beaurecueil, Château de Beaurecueil
• Dance - poetry "eclats d'instants" & ceramic poetry - Presentation of Jean-Noël Cuénod's new collection "Eclats d'Instants" in the form of a dance-poetry performance by dancers Louis Léguillon and Christine Zwingmann. - There will also be a ceramique-poesie exhibition on Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28, featuring the work of Marie Mazères. - Au chapeau - Indoor entertainment. - Reservations recommended by e-mail to jean-noel.cuenod@orange.fr (places limited to 110).

• On 27 april 2024
• 109 impasse de la Vergne, Repaire de la Vergne
• Recital les "quatr'elles - They are four girls, with their desire and pleasure to sing jazz and French chanson. They'll take us along and share a great moment of humor, dreams, tenderness and SWING ! - Au chapeau - This event is indoors - Reservations not required

• On 1 may 2024
• Eglise Saint-Pardoux-de-Mareuil, Saint-Pardoux-de-Mareuil
• 8:30 am : meet at Rochefolet (parking lot indicated) - 09:00 : start of hike - On return, picnic in the basket at the Léguillac-de-Cercles village hall. Participation : 2 ?

• On 21 may 2024
• 3, place des Promenades, Médiathèque
• Come along with your book of the moment to share, talk and listen over tea, coffee and cookies.

• On 22 may 2024
• 3 place des Promenades, Médiathèque
• Book readings to share the pleasure of text and images and rediscover the pleasure of reading together. Free and open to children aged 0 to 3, accompanied by mom, dad, grandma, nanny…