The panorama from the cemetery, the Église Saint-Blaise and the Boucle Bardovienne show Bardou from three perspectives: landscape, architectural history and outdoor activity. The village combines a striking location above the Issigeac Plateau with a church whose history dates back to the 11th century and a circular route with three very easy variants.
Hilltop Setting and Landscape
From Bardou cemetery, the panorama stretches across the Issigeac Plateau. Bardou lies at the summit of a 170-metre-high hill overlooking the plateau. The location and the view describe two closely related but distinct aspects: the hill defines the village’s setting, while the cemetery is identified as a specific viewpoint. Along the Boucle Bardovienne, visitors also pass ponds, enclosed springs and fountains. These water features indicate springs emerging below the village and give the route its own connection to the landscape.
Église Saint-Blaise: Architectural History on Site
The Église Saint-Blaise is a church in the early Romanesque style. Three monks from Cadouin built it in the 11th century. Its architectural features include a 13th-century chapel, an original entrance portal and a bell-gable rising above the portal. Thus, the building brings together an early founding date and a chapel element dated to a later period. Those interested in architecture can understand the church both through its stylistic classification and its specific features: the construction period, chapel, portal and bell-gable each offer a different point of reference.
The Château de Bardou and Its History
The Château de Bardou belongs to a different historical chapter. Formerly a fortress called Fort St John, it served as a garrison during the Hundred Years’ War. The château includes the remains of a 13th-century English fortress. The access restriction is important when planning: the château is privately owned and cannot be visited. Its history can therefore be understood as part of the local context, not as a planned sightseeing stop.
The Boucle Bardovienne: Three Variants
The Boucle Bardovienne starts in Bardou and is 4.2 km long. It offers three very easy variants: on foot, taking 1 hour 30 minutes; on horseback, taking 40 minutes; and by mountain bike, taking 35 minutes. The times make it easy to choose according to activity and available time: the walking option takes the longest, while the horseback and mountain-bike options differ by five minutes. This means the circular route can be considered not only by distance but also by preferred mode of travel and stated duration. Along the way, it passes the Chartreuse d’Entraygues. Ponds, enclosed springs and fountains are also part of its landscape; they indicate springs emerging below the village.
Other Historical and Geographical Connections
At the hamlet of La Mouthe, an old ditch surrounded a watchtower that served as a toll station in the Middle Ages. This historical connection differs from the church’s architecture and the château’s former role as a garrison: here, the focus is on its function as a toll station. Another named route is the Chemin Bergerac–Rocamadour. It passes through Bardou and Naussannes before reaching Beaumont-du-Périgord.
Discover more destinations: Lisle, Loubejac, Clermont-De-Beauregard, Saint-Crépin-De-Richemont, Naussannes, Nontron, Cubjac, Fonroque
For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.
