Religious heritage

The first time the church has been quoted is in 1218, in the polyptych in Perigueux. Initially a Romanesque church, it has been restored during the XIX century. The West front is really interesting; it has been classed as Historical monument in 1984.

The church is noteworthy thanks to its situation, its architectural elegance and its bell tower. Its ogival arch dates back to the XIV century. Its shape is that of a Latin cross, perfectly regular. All the archways are made of ribbed stone. There are 7 windows. On the other hand, the structural stones are extremely porous, that is why before the church was wet. There are 3 doors and two chapels; the one on the left is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin, the one on the right to Saint Antony.
The painted wooden altarpiece has been restored in 1999, thanks to a contribution by Miss Jacqueline Beytout, which revealed some beautiful polychrome paintings.

The church and its bell tower of the XII century is classed as Historical Monument.
The West front presents a gothic door with four broken arches covered by an archivolt and surrounded by two flat buttresses.
The interior furniture (XVII and XVIII) creates a noteworthy group.
Organ and gold wood of the XVII century: chosen by André ISOIR, the St Germain des Prés organist in Paris, to realize some records for his Bach executions, as well as other organists. Organ concerts every summer in July and August.

Old parish church, near the cemetery.
Once named Saint-Clair. It has been given to Saint-Cyprien in 1276 and it became a priory. The choir is boarded by two gothic arches: the one in the West side lays down on some dosserets pillars; the one in the East side is an engaged column, with a graven capitals.
The cornice lies down on eight graved corbels: animal masks.
The apse is formed by seven external sides and it presents three openings. The cornice borders this church laying on some simple corbels. Squared bell tower above the choir.

In 1814, not far from the church of Redon Espic, a young shepherd lady, Marie-Jeanne Grave, 14 years old, is watching after some sheep. She is 14 years old when she has the vision of a white dressed lady, with some blue ribbons shoes and a luminous cross around her neck. During the second vision, the Virgin asks her to bring her parents back to Christianity, employees of Mr Chabannes, mayor of the village of Bézenac, otherwise they will die soon. Brightened up by her parents and her circle, she dies the 24th of November 1814. It is in the site of the vision where an annual pilgrimage takes place every 8th of September, since 1815.

The first Roman church dates back to 1143. It has been given to the Abbey of Sauve Majeure in Gironde, in 1199, by the bishop of
Périgueux.
It has been destroyed during the Hundred Years War. The rests are some rough-stones at the base of the existing Church.
The Gothic church has been destroyed by the Protestants of Turenne and restored at beginnings of the XII century.
This is composed by four chapels which belong to the four Lords of Siorac and which represent their own cradles. Till 1900 a
cemetery surrounded the church.

This building has been entirely rebuilt in 1745 by the local Lord, as expiation - as it is said- for the fire in the church by his ancestors, during the religious wars. General restoration in 1806.
At the bottom of the castle, a wall of the ancient church is still visible, with an opening and a blind door of the XIII century.

The original parts of the old church are the chancel and the front (restored).
The front is interesting: there is a rectangular bell tower-wall, with four openings in the arch. The first level shows an opening in the arch. The first level was made by a central gate and two lateral ones, covered by some gothic arches.
The block, unfortunately injured, seems to date back to the end XII beginnings XIII century.
Not far from here: the church of Saint-Jean from Bigaroque, built for the "castrum" (the hamlet) by Clement the V, it dates back to the XIV the century.

The Roman choir dates back to the XI or XII century. It is probably settled on an ancient place of worship, dig in the rock.
The nave and the cemetery have been restored in 1888 (construction of bell tower with Tribune).
The altar piece:
Classed an historical monument, the altar piece comes from the ancient abbey of Fongauffier, today disappeared. During the XVII century, this artistic piece has been consecrated to Saint Benoît and his sister, Sainte Scholastique.

Au coeur du village médiéval de Belvès, venez découvrir la vie quotidienne des manants ayant occupés ses grottes du XIIIème au XVIIIème siècle. Un voyage dans l'histoire que vous ne pourrez pas oublier!!!

The church dates back to the XII century. The great door has been restored in the XVII century.
A recent restoration of the whole building has emphasized the half-moon shape with graved capitals. On both parts of the entry, you can observe two beautiful stone stoups, decorated with some scallop shells. Lateral chapels dates back to the XV century.
They show the blazon of Beaumont. Over the cupola in the transept, a circular altar has recently been settled, made with an ancient sand millstone. The altar piece of the XVII century has been offered by the Lordship of Beaumont.

Situées à mi chemin entre Sarlat et Les Eyzies, Les Cabanes du Breuil, dont l'origine reste un mystère, furent l'habitat rural des Bénédictins de Sarlat jusqu'au milieu du XVème siècle. Elles devinrent ensuite, aux XVIIIème et XIXème siècles des ateliers artisanaux. Depuis 1950, ce patrimoine est conservé au sein d'une ferme familiale.

Night guided visit, with torches. Every Tuesday night from the 13th of July to the 24th of August.

Guided visit for groups on demand.

Meeting point: 20h30 Jean Ladignac square.
Free entry - Torch: 2 €

C'est en 1307 que l'histoire de Domme rencontre celle des Templiers. La Porte des tours (un des plus beaux joyaux du Périgord) va servir de Prison au Templiers. Ils graveront sur les murs de la Tour de nombreux graffiti, émouvants témoignage de leur foi. 7 tableaux différents ont été gravés par les Templiers. Tous sont liés à l'iconographie religieuse. Un message certe, mais un message que nul ne peut traduire. Un profond mystère que l'on sait important. peut-être, ici, le Trésor Spirituel des fameux Chevaliers de l'Ordre du Temple.

Priory of Redon- Espic

Every Tuesday from the 14th of July to the 30 of August, at 4.30 p.m.
Guided visit of the church and of the Priory of Redon-Espic, hidden architectural treasures of the Périgord Noir. Where 800 years ago some monks settled in the middle of the forest. A emotionally interesting discovery.

Meeting point at the Church of Redon-Espic: from St-Cyprien, take the RD25, direction "Sarlat par les coteaux". After about 3 km, turn right, then at the corner of the gas Company, turn left; turn left again until you reach the old church of Redon-Espic.

You will pay your visit once there and directly to the guide.

Adults: 4 €

Children under 12 years: 2.50 €

Contact: Anne BECHEAU speaker guide, specialised in local architecture and in the history of the Périgord Noir.

Tél : 06 03 04 38 97 mail : anne.becheau@orange.fr