Saint-Jean-de-Cole

The village is quite small but boasts a castle, a large church, a priory, an unusual shaped stone bridge over a lovely stretch of river, lots of colombage (half-timbered houses) and it once won the prize for ‘finest roofs in France’.

The castle, le Chateau de la Marthonie, is a functional but attractive castle and sits on one side of the main square. The castle dates from the 12th century but what you see now dates from a 15th century reconstruction, with a 17th century wing.

The church, which is of a unique design in Perigord, is on another side making the square very striking. Wander along from the square past lovely stone houses and you reach the river and its hump-backed bridge. The bridge over the river is a lovely arched, stone bridge dating from the Middle Ages and has a lovely view back to the village itself - the view up and down this verdant stretch of the river Cole is very pretty.

The houses in the village are picture-postcard-perfect, with many having the traditional tiled rooves of the region - the village has been said to have the most perfect roofs in France. There are some very attractive colombage houses lining the streets in the village dating from medieval times.

Every year during the weekend closest to the 8^th of May St Jean de Cole has a flower fair (Les Floralies) where more than a hundred exhibitors exhibit and sell plants and garden products. It is a very colourful event and a great time to visit the village.