Coly valley hikes: Salignac-Eyvigues.

Medieval festivals at the historic village.

Located right on the edge of the Coly watershed, Salignac commands a strategic position descending towards the Vézère river and the Borrèze valley which descends towards the Dordogne river on the other side. First mention of a castle dates back to the turn of the millennium. Typically enough the original wooden structures start to be replaced by stone buildings in the 11^th and 12^th centuries, to which date back the two dungeons of the Salignac castle.

Medieval festivals at the historic village.

The Salignac family is a likely branch of the Viscounts of Turenne. Located on the border of the vicomté de Turenne, the Causse de Martel and the wooded hillsides of Périgord, the village of Salignac is a place of passage between Quercy, Limousin and Périgord. 

Local producers at the Marché gourmand nocturne.

Summer highlights are its popular medieval festivals at the historic village, its events around the farmers market (Tuesday mornings) and Marché gourmand nocturne (Friday evenings) on the Place du champ de Mars (market square).

Map of Salignac-Eyvigues.

A walk around the village (promenade du bourg) takes a hour and passes Salignac Castle (1), the 17^thcentury Halle and Hôtel noble des Croisiers (2), Eglise Saint Julien (3), village historique (4), a couple of lavoir (5), Market square (6).

Promenade du bourg.

The Salignac Castle has seen a lot of historic changes, reaching its height in the 15^thcentury after which it slowly decayed. The castle suffered damages during the Hundered Years War and the Wars of Religion. During the French Revolution villagers took over the castle, broken up and sold. By 1910 the main building and guardhouse were still standing. By 1912 the Salignac family bought back the castle and turned the remains into a stately manor, leveling most of the ruins and guardhouse to create a garden around three terraces on different levels.

Unique opportunity to visit ‘a work in progress’.

The castle was abandoned again, and by 2006 found new owners that set-out on a multi- generational journey to restore this historic monument. They worked 15 years to stabilize the site, replace structural beams and redo the ‘lauze’ roof. In 2021, 30 years after its last inhabitants left, the castle reopened its doors to the public. A visit gives you the unique opportunity to visit ‘a work in progress’. 

Restored room with its ‘pisé’ floor.

Much of the terraces are currently excavated, which allows for a sneak-peak under the surface. The spiral staircase provides access to the basement cut out from the rock, a room ‘left as they found it’, the central part currently under renovation, as well as a restored room with its ‘pisé’ floor and historic decor. Find out more about the landscape, history, vegetation, the villages and life on the causse:

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