Guide Perigord_version anglaise

Over the centuries, the abbey saw extensive reconstruction work. From 1850, Paul Abadie, student of Viollet-le-Duc took over. He removed three of the cloister galleries.The west gallery is the only element to have survived the revivalist architect’s fury.

©Jean-DanielSudres ©BertrandRieger

E

A Walk through the Venice of Périgord Like an Island, the heart of Brantôme is surrounded by the waters of the river Dronne with just five bridges to connect it to “solid ground”. There’s no resisting the charm of the gorgeous riverside houses, reflected in the water. Take a seat on the patio of the Bar du Marché A  , and just take in the scenery: right across from the town center Brantôme’s Abbey B (below) , unfolds its monumental façade. At the foot of the sanctuary, the unusual Coudé Bridge C  , has a bend in its span over the river Dronne. The bridge was designed in the XVIth century for the monks to cross from the Abbey to their private gardens. Today these peaceful gardens and their centuries old trees, provide an ideal setting for a romantic stroll.

B Boulevard C h a r l e m a g n e

D78

D

Allée Henri IV

Rue Victor Hugo

Dronne River

A

teu r

Rue Puy

Rue Pas

joli

de Meyjounissas

D939E2

D78E2

Rue Car

Quai Berlin

C

not

Dronne River

F

©BertrandRieger

50m

One of the Dordogne’s most Prestigious Abbeys

Allegedly founded by Charlemagne to safeguard the relics of the child martyr Saint Sicaire, this Benedictine Abbey lived its finest hours in the XVIth century with its commendatory abbots Pierre de Mareuil followed by Pierre de Bourdeille. Today the buildings house the Town Hall and a museum dedicated to the symbolist painter Fernand Desmoulin (1853-1914).

40

41