Bars can be explored through two distinct aspects: its church, with its architectural and bell history, and activities ranging from plants to walking trails. The Harmonium Museum is housed in the church; the Route des Canons and several circular routes also lead to other points of interest. When planning your visit, you can therefore choose between culture, music, nature or a combination of all three.
The Church and Harmonium Museum
The portal of Bars church has a Gothic appearance. Above it rises a bell-wall tower with four sound openings, two of which hold bells. One dates from 1653, the other from the early years of the 17th century. The church is thought to have been founded between 1025 and 1120 and is considered a priory under the authority of a Benedictine abbey founded in 1025. Visible architecture and early church history thus come together in the same building: the view of the portal and bell tower sits alongside questions about the church's historical role.
The Harmonium Museum is housed in the 11th-century church, whose restoration was completed in August 2005. The collection includes 19th-century harmoniums, including some instruments signed by famous artists. The building's history and the music's history belong to different periods: the church dates from the 11th century, while the instruments date from the 19th. Knowledgeable visitors may play some of the harmoniums. If this opportunity to try them out is important to you, check the arrangements before your visit.
Plants, Literature and Trails
The Atelier des herbes folles offers a different kind of hands-on activity: it invites visitors to learn about and identify a plant, discover its story and sometimes even eat it, free of charge and in a participatory setting. The focus is on an individual plant rather than a building or collection. Fables by Jean de La Fontaine can also be discovered around the village; their display may depend on local upkeep. If you would like to explore plants and literature as well as the church and instrument collection, you will find more to discover here.
The routes also vary in length and format. The Route des Canons is an approximately 34-kilometre rural route through ten municipalities, including Bars. Along it, Bars is associated with the “forge itinérante” (itinerant forge) practised in the forest. The Boucle de la Croze is a 6.2-kilometre circular walking trail in the area around Bars. This puts a longer route through several municipalities alongside a shorter circular trail, while making clear that they are not the same kind of outing.
There is a car park beside Bars church, with information boards about the municipality's circular trails. The boards can help you find your way when exploring the local routes. Check parking and trail conditions on site before planning your walk.
Food and Music
Le Bistrot Gourmand serves local and international cuisine. Piano bar music is also offered there; if you are coming for the music programme, ask about it in advance. The menu and services may change.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Front-d'Alemps, Villefranche-Du-Périgord, Sainte-Nathalène, Lamonzie-Saint-Martin, Chenaud, Lavalade, Église-Neuve-d'Issac, Périgueux.
For the main travel overview: Dordogne.
