In Eymet, the historic centre and the landscape of the Pays d’Eymet offer different ways to spend your stay. On the Place de la Bastide, arcaded houses, a fountain and pedestrian areas invite you to stroll through the town centre. The bastide was founded by Alphonse de Poitiers on 28 June 1270. Those interested in local history and architecture will find plenty to explore here; walks, relaxation and fishing, meanwhile, are the main draws in the natural surroundings of Lac de l’Escourou.

The bastide and architecture in the town centre

The Château de la bastide has been entirely converted into a museum since 1963; parts of it are listed as a French historic monument. At Château d’Eymet, a curtain wall, a corner turret and a machicolation above the entrance have been preserved. The complex also includes a square keep dating from the 13th century, known as the Tour Monseigneur or Tour des Anglais. The surviving features give your visit a clear architectural focus, without requiring you to follow a particular order of attractions.

Bridges are also part of the town’s historic character. The medieval Pont Médiéval du Bretou was built in the 13th century to cross the Dropt. Pedestrian refuges are located along the bridge deck. The surviving railway bridge, Pont ferroviaire d’Eymet, is also among the town’s historic heritage features. Each of these structures represents a different chapter in the town’s history.

Walks and nature in the Pays d’Eymet

Lac de l’Escourou is a place for walking, relaxation and fishing in the Pays d’Eymet; it is also a stopover for birds. On the Eymet side of the small lake, the nature trail runs for about a kilometre along the shore. It was created in 2015/16. Its facilities include an accessible fishing platform and an information board about the fish in the lake. If the condition of the facilities is important for your visit, we recommend checking them on site.

The Bretou site offers a different perspective on the landscape: this seven-hectare landscaped park lies on the banks of the Dropt, which is crossed there by a Roman bridge. The park and the lakeside path offer different experiences: Bretou combines parkland with the river, while the lake offers walking, relaxation, fishing and a stopover for birds. When planning your visit, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer a riverside landscape or a lake as your main focus.

Markets and practical information

Eymet’s Thursday market offers regional fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese, as well as goods from local and international craftspeople. If you want to make a visit to the market part of your plans, check the dates before you travel. The Marché des producteurs et créateurs locaux is organised by the local association Eymet en fête for craftspeople and producers. It offers food as well as art and curiosities; the selection may vary from one edition to the next. You should also check dates and whether this market is taking place before your visit.

The Pays d’Eymet also has a free mystery-solving game, “Perce le mystère de la bastide d’Eymet”. The game booklet is available year-round from the tourist information office; confirm that it is available in advance if you want to make the game part of your plans. The tourist information office is located beneath the arcades of the Place de la Bastide, in a building dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.

When looking for a hotel in Eymet, your preferred focus for the stay can be a good starting point: the bastide and château offer history and architecture, while the lake and Bretou provide different landscape experiences. Market visits also depend on the dates. This lets you make culture, walks or market life a priority when planning, without treating them as a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Lisle, Brantôme, Sarrazac, Carlucet, Saint-Front-Sur-Nizonne, Mauzens-Et-Miremont, Chalais, Badefols-D'ans.

For the full travel guide: Dordogne.