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The Richard the Lionheart Road

In the Middle Ages, the Viscounty of Limoges was bordered to the south-west by castles, churches and fortified towns forming a line of defence at the limits of the Duchy of Aquitaine, a possession of the Plantagenets and of Richard the Lionheart in particular, the latter having been mortally wounded before Châlus-Chabrol in 1199.
On the green slopes of the Limousin Mountains, these sites constitute by their historical past, their architectural beauty. Their artistic richness and their environment, a fascinating and magnificent heritage, partly included in the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin.

The gold gallery

There is gold in the soil of Jumilhac. Certain rivers such as the Isle, the Valouse or the Périgord have a reputation for carrying gold. At Tindeix, 7-8 km to the north-east, a 63 metre shaft was dug at the beginning of the century to find a vein about one metre thick.
Despite the concession granted in 1923, the work stopped. In the old days, 2500 kg of gold were said to have been extracted from the site. At Les Fouilloux, we see a gigantic hole. What could be more natural than to create a Gold Gallery? Here you can learn, among other things, about the history of these galleries, which were mined as early as 250 BC, and how to extract the gold from the ore.

Discover the bike-rail of Bussiere-Galant

An original and unique covered ride in the land of the leaf-peepers. Become the master of your machine, make a child’s dream come true: ride on a formerly forbidden area, an old railway line
Ta-tac-tatoum, Ta-tac-tatoum the bicycle-rail moves quietly through meadows, fields and hills with chestnut groves and carries you along to the sound of its characteristic music.
While stretching your legs, following the meanders of the emerging Dronne Valley, the bike-rail of the Pays des Feuillardiers (as it is called) will lead you over 6 kilometres to the meeting of preserved landscapes, beautiful residences of the past, legendary sites. Behind the curve, at the end of the rails, an imaginary vehicle will perhaps appear!

The Grotte of Villars

The Grotte of Villars was discovered in 1953 by the Périgueux Speleo-club. It is the largest underground network in the Périgord, more than 13 km have been explored to date. The underground river has dug huge rooms linked together by galleries. The seeping water has created one of the most beautiful natural settings. During the guided tour you will see impressive calcite flows, fine stalactites, gours, translucent draperies and countless stalagmites.

Castle of Jumilhac

Barring the gorges of the isle, the old castle, built around 1580 by Antoine Chapelle, 1st Count of Jumilhac (1597), impresses by the exuberance of its roofs surmounted by allegorical ridges which inspired Gustave Doré in the 19th century. Enlarged by two wings and adorned with
“It is impressive for its harmony and splendour. The room of La Fileuse, its curious mural frescoes and its legend, the long staircase of the XVIIth century, the large living room panelled and parqueted “à la Versailles” and its splendid Louis XIII chimney all of carved wood,…, earn it the reputation of being the Black Pearl of the High Périgord.