Saint-André-D'allas combines a clear choice of hiking routes with local history that spans both medieval themes and prehistoric finds. The circular trails start at the church square and offer different distances. Building history, past uses and archaeological discoveries provide further points of interest. When planning your trip, you can decide whether hiking or local history will be the focus of your stay.
Circular hiking trails: three distances and varied landscapes
The first circular hiking trail offers three loops: 10.5 km, 13 km and 19 km. The difference between the shortest and longest is 8.5 km. The middle loop is 2.5 km longer than the shortest and 6 km shorter than the longest. This gives you three clearly distinct route lengths to choose from. The circular hiking trails mentioned start at the church square in Saint-André. From this starting point, you can factor your preferred loop into your plans.
The loop through the Petite Beune valley follows a shady riverside path for part of the way and crosses fields for the rest. This valley route therefore combines riverside stretches with sections through fields. Along with the distance, the landscape itself gives you a specific basis for making your choice.
Building history and historical themes
The Église Saint-André was built at the beginning of the 14th century. In the 15th century, the vaults of the nave and choir collapsed; they were rebuilt at the end of the same century. Its building history therefore includes both its initial construction and the later rebuilding of the two vaulted areas.
In the 14th century, Boussieyral was a residence of the bishops of Sarlat. Pas Estret reveals a different period: several prehistoric human burials were discovered beneath its rock shelter in 1911. 1911 is the year of discovery; the burials themselves are classified as prehistoric. Here, a medieval residential function and a prehistoric find discovered only in the 20th century stand alongside one another as distinct historical themes.
The Cabanes du Breuil bring together several phases of use and preservation. Until the middle of the 15th century, they served as rural accommodation for the Benedictines of Sarlat. In the 18th and 19th centuries, they became craft workshops. They have been preserved on a family farm since 1950. These phases should be distinguished when placing them in their historical context: the Benedictines' accommodation dates to the Middle Ages, the workshops belong to a much later period, and preservation began in 1950.
The protection status of the Maison d'habitation et cabanes en pierre sèche du Breuil is partial: some parts are listed as a Monument historique, while others are classified as a Monument historique. A workshop on dry-stone wall construction, open to everyone, is also offered on the grounds of the Cabanes du Breuil. As workshop dates may change, check them before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Coutures, Saint-Mesmin, Tursac, Clermont-D'excideuil, Fleurac, Beaumont-Du-Périgord, Cours-De-Pile, Saint-Geniès
Return to the regional travel guide: Dordogne.
