Salignac-Eyvigues travel guide

Visit Salignac-Eyvigues (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)

The small town of Salignac-Eyvigues is close to the western border of the Dordogne department, about 15 kilometres north-east of Sarlat.

Explore Salignac-Eyvigues

France This Way review: the town of Salignac-Eyvigues is small and quick to explore but has a small historic centre with several interesting buildings

Start your visit in the main square in the town centre, at the tourist office of Salignac-Eyvigues, where you can get a map with a route to follow as you explore the town.

The principal destination is the Place de la Halle, which has a market hall and several imposing townhouses. Until 1791 this was the main market place of the town. The market hall is in stone with open sides, and an imposing building although it is of quite recent construction (19th century).

The impressive house next to the hall is the Hôtel Noble des Croisiers and was built in the 13th century. The row of arches at ground level are part of the orginal house and the windows were added in the 14th century to allow light to enter the upstairs rooms.

Although later modifications have changed the house, which was later divided into three properties, it retains a part of the original stone roof: if you look at the end of the house you can see the side of the stone, and it is clear why stone roofs are not common: it requires a very thick layer of stone that weighs one tonne per square metre and requires formidable carpentry work to support this weight of roof.

Elsewhere in Salignac-Eyvigues you can see several streets of traditional stone houses, and a church (on the edge of the town centre and of limited historic interest).

Chateau de Salignac

The Chateau de Salignac below the town centre has a long history. During the Hundred Years war it was on the frontier between the English territory and the French territory, and changed hands between the two sides on several occasions.

Left in ruins by the war, the Chateau de Salignac was rebuilt in the 15th century, before the Wars of Religion in the 16th century. As part of this war, in 1587 the castle was under the control of the Bishop of Sarlat, and used to defend the town against an attack by an army from Turenne, led by a Lord of Salignac.

The best view of the castle is from the road to the north-east of the centre of Salignac-Eyvigues that goes around the castle (it is not open to visitors).

Next to the Chateau de Salignac (on the town side of the castle) you can see a house that has retained its original stone roof, which is a rare site even in the Dordogne, although both the house and roof are in need of substantial renovation.

Attractions nearby

The town is best known for the Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac, a few kilometres south of the Town centre and one of the most beautiful gardens in France see Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac.

A short distance east of Salignac-Eyvigues you can explore the historic centre in the pretty village of Saint-Geniès.

You can find more travel ideas in the Dordogne guide and the Aquitaine guide.