The Circuit Découverte du Bourg Historique makes it easy to plan an exploration of Excideuil’s historic town centre: the self-guided tour is free and available year-round. Allow about one to one and a half hours for a short visit. This makes it easy to weigh the tour against other interests such as architectural history, a market day or outdoor activities.

History at the Église Saint Thomas

The Église Saint Thomas brings together two distinct historical connections. It was built in the 12th century on the site of a chapel that was probably dependent on Saint Médard Abbey. The church also houses the gilded wooden altarpiece from the Chapelle de Sainte Constance, which came from the Chapelle des Cordeliers. The two chapel references should be distinguished: the first is the chapel at the building site, probably dependent on Saint Médard; the Chapelle des Cordeliers, by contrast, is where the altarpiece came from.

Château and panorama over the Loue

The municipal section of the Château d’Excideuil is open free of charge year-round. From the Château, you can enjoy a panorama over the Loue Valley. The Château thus offers a different perspective on the town’s history: the Circuit focuses on the historic town centre, while the panorama draws your gaze across the Loue Valley.

Thursday market day

The Marché d’Excideuil takes place in the town centre every Thursday morning throughout the year. For a short trip, this weekly schedule is the key planning difference: the market is on Thursday mornings, while the year-round Circuit can be fitted in based on its approximate visiting time of one to one and a half hours. If market day falls during your stay, you can plan your visit around it; it’s worth checking the latest market information before you go.

Puzzles and outdoor activities

The Tèrra-Aventura trail “le grand trouveur d’Excideuil” has been available in Excideuil since June 2019. With Tèrra Aventura, participants follow puzzles using a smartphone, either alone or with their family, leading to a hidden object they must find. This sets the activity apart from the Circuit Découverte: the tour is self-guided, whereas puzzles and a smartphone shape the experience here.

Blue mountain bike route no. 2 starts in Excideuil and is 26.6 km long. Its number, blue rating and length provide concrete guidance for planning; as the route may change in the future, it’s advisable to check the latest route information before setting off. The Roches Enchantées are a site bordered by karst cliffs, offering opportunities for climbing and geological exploration of the area. If you’re weighing up a mountain bike route based on its stated length, you can use the 26.6 kilometres as a guide; at the Roches Enchantées, the focus is on climbing and geology.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Paul-Lizonne, Saint-Crépin-De-Richemont, Villefranche-Du-Périgord, Bonneville-Et-Saint-Avit-De-Fumadières, Pomport, Veyrines-de-Vergt, Le Bugue, Saint-Julien-De-Lampon

For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.