Excideuil is a market town towards the north of the Dordogne department, about 30 kilometres north-east of Perigueux, the capital of the department. Except for market day it is a quiet town to visit, but has several points of interest if you are staying in the region.
Explore Excideuil
Excideuil has an attractive town square which grew up around a 10th century monastery. All that now remains of the monastery is the Church of Saint-Thomas but this is an attractive building with doorways surrounded by carvings. These stone doorways date from the 15th century although the church itself is older and roman style.
Start your visit in this square, the Place du Chateau, where you can visit the Excideuil tourist office. They can give you a leaflet with the main highlights indicated. These are all close by in the oldest part of the town, called the Bourg Saint-Thomas.
Surrounding the church there are lots of impressive buildings, some of which date back to the 16th century and many are from the 17th and 18th century. During this time Excideuil was exempted from paying tax and had a thriving iron mining industry, so lots of imposing houses were built for the wealthy mine owners and traders who came to the town.
Opposite the church is the Commanderie des Templiers and its important position opposite the church demonstrates the significance the Order of the Templiers once had in France. Next to this is the Commanderie de Saint Antonin which welcomed pilgrims and the sick and needy in the 14th century.
The castle in the town is set high on a rocky promontory, and successfully repelled Richard the Lionheart on three different occasions. The castle was originally built in the 13th century but was renovated and converted many times over the following five centuries so now includes various different styles and incorporates medieval defences as well as later modifications to make the castle more habitable and comfortable.
Although the main castle is not open to the public it can be admired from the outside, and is an impressive sight with the cliff and gardens below.
Excideuil also has a hospital which is thought to date back to the 12th century when it was a convent, and one of the oldest buildings in the region. Other small highlights include a stone market hall and the Bugeaud fountain.
The market hall was built in its current location in the early 20th century, having been moved here from elsewhere in the town during changes in the town layout. It had only stood in the earlier position for about 50 years, having been built in 1870 to replace a medieval hall which had fallen into disrepair and been demolished.
Market day is Thursday and this is a particularly good day to visit the town: the Excideuil market is one of the best in the area.
Attractions nearby
Excideuil is in the northern part of the Dordogne department in attractive rolling countryside with the Perigord-Limousin Natural Park a little way to the north.
It is close to the Chateau de Hautefort which is one of the most impressive chateaux in the Dordogne department. The Chateau de Jumilhac is also nearby and is another very attractive castle.
The recently discovered Grottes of Tourtoirac are also nearby and these contain an impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites. Tourtoirac is an attractive village to the south of Excideuil with the remains of an attractive abbey.
Explore elsewhere in the Perigord Blanc. You can find more travel ideas in the Dordogne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Excideuil
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Map of Excideuil and places nearby
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Tourtoirac
The small village of Tourtoirac has a church and river walk as well as a cave system to visit
Tourtoirac guide
Chateau de Hautefort
At Chateau de Hautefort you can see a vey imposing castle and also extensive and carefuly maintaind garden
Chateau de Hautefort guide
Thiviers
Thiviers is a very typical Dordogne market town, best known for the foie gras produced in the surrounding countryside
Thiviers guide
Le Bouquet
The Jardin du Bouquet is a large park containing 50 different gardens of clipped box formed into different geometric patterns.
Le Bouquet guide
Sorges
Sorges is a village in the Dordogne renowned for its truffles and has an ecomuseum dedicated to the history and cultivation of truffles.
Sorges guide
... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Dordogne
Address: Excideuil, Périgueux, Aquitaine, 24160, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.337, longitude 1.0502
Plan your visit to Excideuil, Dordogne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardins du château de Hautefort: remarkable garden (11 km)
- Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Thiviers): religious monument (13 km)
- Saint-Jean-de-Cole: most beautiful village (19 km)
- Segur-le-Chateau: most beautiful village (22 km)
- Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche: recommended detour (23 km)
- Chateau de Puyguilhem: national monument (25 km)
- Abbaye Cistercienne de Boschaud (Villars): religious monument (25 km)
- Perigueux: town of art and history (30 km)
- Perigueux cathédrale Saint Front (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (31 km)
- Jardins de l'Imaginaire: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Eglise Saint Etienne de la Cité (Perigueux): religious monument (31 km)
- Abbaye Saint Pierre (Brantome): religious monument (32 km)
Market days in Excideuil, France
Regular market(s) are held in Excideuil each Thursday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Excideuil (Francais)