Thiviers is an active town in the northern Dordogne that is situated between the deeply valleyed landscape and Regional natural Parc of Perigord-Limousin to the north of Thiviers, and the more gently rolling countryside found to the south. It is a good base for exploring this northern part of the Dordogne region.
Explore Thiviers
It is the old part of Thiviers near the church that is most interesting for visitors, with some interesting remnants from its medieval past to be seen
The Church itself dates from the 12th century but has been renovated and altered over the centuries. Don't miss the devilish carvings on the columns inside the church.
To the south-east of the church you can see the renaissance style facade of the 16th century Chateau de Vaucocourt, built on the site of a 11th century castle that was destroyed in the Wars of Religion (the castle is not open to the public).
Near to the Chateau de Vaucocourt is the 15th century Chateau de la Bastardie. The house currently belongs to a former lemonade-maker from Thiviers and it is possible to make an appointment to see the copper system that was used to make the lemonade.
On the Place du Marché aux Truffes you can see Hautefort House which was once a leper-hospital and belonged to the order of Saint Lazare of Jerusalem. Cross over the Rue Jean Jaures and you come to the Place Jean Paul Sartre. Sartre lived in Thiviers as a child and his former house is the house with white shutters on the far side of the square.
On the othere side of the tourist office are a few narrow streets with some interesting old half-timber houses. On Rue Rochefort is a house from the 14th century and this is the oldest house in Thiviers.
Thiviers has all facilities and is a pleasant centre for a stroll. Saturday morning is market day in Thiviers and that is the best time to see a wide selection of the local produce and specialities. Between mid November and mid March there are also the foie-gras and the truffle markets for which Thiviers is renowned.
Thiviers prides itself on its local speciality, foie gras, and the other regional produce such as walnuts and truffles. Indeed the town has designated itself 'Capital of the foie gras in Green Perigord' and to learn more about foie-gras you can visit the museum in Thiviers that is dedicated to its production. The museum is in the Maison du Foie Gras in the same building as the tourist office.
The museum is full of interesting facts about foie gras and its history and indeed we learn that ducks and geese were known to prehistoric man and the practice of force-feeding (gavage) of the geese was carried out in ancient Egypt!
Attractions nearby
The region around Thiviers contains attractive countryside, and there are many marked walks to follow, also horse-riding at Lempzours and canoeing at Corgnac sur l'Isle are popular activities. There is a long path - cycle route towards St Pardoux-la-Riviere that leaves from Thiviers, and the lake at Nantheuil is popular with sunbathers and swimmers (also for fishing).
While at Thiviers don't miss the nearby village of St-Jean-de-Cole. Found seven kilometres to the west of the town it is an attractive village with a stone bridge over the river, and a well preserved old centre with a covered market and a church. Also recommended for a vist is the Chateau de Jumilhac, 20 kilometres north-east of Thiviers.
Explore elsewhere in the Perigord Vert. You can find more travel ideas in the Dordogne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Thiviers
Click any picture to start the gallery
Arrange a visit to Thiviers
Reserve excursions
Book hotels, car hire and flights
Hotels in Thiviers
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Thiviers and places nearby
Visit near Thiviers with France This Way reviews
Saint-Jean-de-Cole
Saint-Jean-de-Cole is a small but very pretty village with a nice church and beautiful riverside setting
Saint-Jean-de-Cole 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
Excideuil
The town of Excideuil in the northern Dordogne has a lively market every Thursday and is close to two of the most important castles in the region
Excideuil guide
Chateau de Jumilhac
The Chateau de Jumilhac is in the northern Dordogn, within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park
Chateau de Jumilhac guide
Chateau de Puyguilhem
Extensive renovation work at the Chateau de Puyguilhem has brought a new lease of life to this Renaissance style castle
Chateau de Puyguilhem guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Dordogne
Address: Thiviers, Nontron, Aquitaine, 24800, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.418, longitude 0.9222
Plan your visit to Thiviers, Dordogne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Thiviers): religious monument
- Saint-Jean-de-Cole: most beautiful village (6 km)
- Abbaye Cistercienne de Boschaud (Villars): religious monument (13 km)
- Chateau de Puyguilhem: national monument (13 km)
- Abbaye Saint Pierre (Brantome): religious monument (22 km)
- Perigord-Limousin: regional natural parc (23 km)
- Nontron: recommended detour (24 km)
- Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche: recommended detour (24 km)
- Jardins du château de Hautefort: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Perigueux: town of art and history (30 km)
- Segur-le-Chateau: most beautiful village (30 km)
- Perigueux cathédrale Saint Front (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
Market days in Thiviers, France
A seasonal market is held in Thiviers on Tuesday.
Regular market(s) are held in Thiviers each Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Thiviers (Francais)