Guide Perigord_version anglaise

©TitiaCarrizey-Jasick

Alain Lagorsse, coppersmith

“We take our time here”

“Copper and brasswork are time consuming… but we certainly don’t have the same notion of time here, as in the city! I came to Saint-Amand 36 years ago now.The village was lost at the bottom of the glen and the Abbey was overgrown with briars. Little by little, I could see a change come over the place; the village was improved and tourists started to come.The meaning of life makes sense here, there’s a nice quiet family atmosphere that’s ideal for my craft.And as a journeyman craftsman, living in the shadow of the Abbey reinforces my respect for the great builders of medieval times.”

© Bertrand Rieger

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

Different well-signposted routes, and games for children enable families to discover the secrets of the village and the surrounding area. Among them, the “Historic Route” an hour long hike that will lead you tomonuments such as the Abbey, the old hospital and its washroom and the walnut barn… More of a nature trail, the “chemin des Rapiettes” route takes you on an hour and a half long hike, on the trail of lizards and salamanders and local flora growing along the stone walls. Along the Way

A Local Hermit

© Philippe Roy

Where does the name Saint-Amand come from? The village’s religious history tells of Amand, a young nobleman in the middle of the VIth century, who chose to devote himself to a monastic life and to evangelising the local population. He retired to a cave, where it is said, he later died.According to a document written in 1048, a monastery was built on his tomb.After his death, a monastic community settled in this place named after Saint-Amand.

© Bertrand Rieger

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24+1VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD