Monument Sights in Dordogne — 3 of Our Favourites

1. Les Grandes Murailles (The Great Wall), Saint Emilion

Location: Saint-Emilion

The great wall, or Grandes Murailles, is now all that remains of a once Dominican monastery that was built in the 12th-century.

By tradition, the Dominicans are part of the family of 'mendicant' monks - which means that they relied chiefly or exclusively on charitable donations and begging to survive. Architecturally, certain rules had to be applied to a Dominican monastery, one being that buildings and the church should not exceed a certain height. This section of wall suggests that Saint-Emilion mendicant monks were perhaps not be as poor as their order demanded!

Tension between the French and the English during the Hundred Years War in this region meant that building was ultimately destroyed. At the beginning of the Hundred Years War, French troops who were fighting to reassert the power of their king, took refuge in the monastery. It became a refuge, an observation point and a defensive position. The Dominicans who no longer felt safe there left their large monastery and settled within the walls of Saint-Emilion town. The monastery, meanwhile, was deliberately destroyed, leaving just this stylish piece of wall.

2. Lanterne des Morts (Lantern of the dead), Sarlat-la-Caneda

Location: Sarlat-la-Caneda

The Lanternes des Morts (Lanterns of the dead) are small towers mainly found in the central and western parts of France. Thought to indicate the position of a cemetary.

This is a particularly fine example and well-preserved building that dates back to the 12th-century. The origin and use of such lanterns are controversial. Some of those lanterns are said to be "lanterns of the Moors" instead of "lanterns of the Dead". The illiteracy of most of the population in the past can easily explain this as "the Moors" (les Maures) and "the dead" (les morts) sounds very similar.

Some of the lanterns in France do not indicate any cemetery and their architecture has strong oriental influences. The origin of the lantern in Sarlat is linked with the abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, who played a major role in the Second Crusade. It is said to have been built after a visit of the abbot in the city, in 1147, possibly by the Knights Templar.

3. Porte des Tours (Tower Gate), Domme

Location: Domme

One of the most beautiful and well-preserved examples of a town gate in the Perigord, the Porte des Tours in Domme is flanked by two large round towers from the 13th-century.

The towers were used to imprison the Knights Templar between 1307 and 1318, evidence of which can still be seen in the 'graffiti' that they left behind, etched into the walls. Seven different tableaux were engraved by the templars, all related to religious iconography. A testament to their faith.

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