Saint-Avit-Sénieur is located south-west of the Dordogne, bordering the Périgord Pourpre and Périgord Black. Or between Bergerac and Sarlat countries.
Traces of human presence dating from the Acheulean (300,000 years BC) were found at Saint-Avit-Sénieur. Towards the end of the fifth century, legend qu'Avitus converted to Catholicism became a hermit. He performs miracles, and later became his sanctuary then a place of pilgrimage especially for walkers of St. Jacques de Compostela. The church built in the twelfth century was the subject of fires, looting, during the Hundred Years War. The walls collapsed then served as a quarry for the construction of houses of the inhabitants nearby.
Intense agricultural activity was conducted in the municipality. Currently small farms tend to disappear to make way for GAEC larger and more viable for operators.
In December 2010, the town was closed (with Monpazier Cadouin Biron) Major Site of Aquitaine.