Religious Sights in Dordogne

The church at Saint-Martin is distinguished for its original frescoes, which can be foudn inside, and its dedication stone.

The monks originally lived just outside Saint-Emilion, but in 1338 they obtained permission from the Pope to establish a monastery within the walls. The cloister was built in the 14th-century.

Built between the 12th & 15th centuries, this church is one of the largest in Gironde. It's design is both Romanesque and Gothic, showing how it has been remodelled and renovated throughout history.

The Saint-Jacques church sits at the top of a lovely square overlooking the historic centre of the city.

This impressive church was built in 1740 under the patronage of the Marchal of Turenne, count of Castillon, who had left money to the city in his will.

Situated in one corner of the main square in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, facing the Mairie (town hall), this church has an imposing steeple that reaches high about the streets.

Founded by Gérard de Salles in 1115, and affiliated to the Cistercians, the Cadouin Abbey is an incredibly well-preserved example of religious architecture.

This area was settled by monks in the late 19th century when Napoleon III decided to drain the marshlands in the area. It was established as an abbey in 1876 and the monks began making cheese to make the farm profitable. The community dispersed in the early 20th century but the site was reoccupied by a community of nuns of Espira Agly who were returning from Herrera in Spain. The nuns live under a vow of silence and have restarted the monks' cheese-making business. The abbey itself cannot be visited but they have a good shop selling cheese and confectionary from other missionaries.

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.

Gifted to Gaillard de la Mothe by his uncle Bertrand de Goth, Archbishop of Bordeaux, who later became Pope Clement V, the Cardinal Palace sits at the entrance to the city of Saint Emilion.

Although it is believed to have dated back to the eighth century, Father Goustat wrote in 1883 that this building could date back to VIII, XI or even the fourteenth century. It has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt in part or in whole over the years. 

Overlooking the Alzou canyon, the medieval village of Rocamadour is perched on a cliff. The religious city at the heart of Rocamadour consists of seven chapels is reached by climbing the 216 steps of the Grand Escalier. 

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

A catholic church that originates from the 10th or 11th centuries and was once said to contain the remains of the Sainte Spérie.

The cathedral in Cahors dates to the 11th century though it has undergone modifications over the centuries.

The beautiful Abbeye de Beaulieu-en-Rouergue was established in 1144 in the valley of the Seye by the Bishop of Rodez. This Cistercian abbey had a successful existence for many years and was expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries. It went into decline as the monastic discipline was relaxed but was saved from ruin in 1960 when it was subject to extensive renovation and turned into a contemporary arts centre which holds a number of temporary exhibitions each year.

Situated in the heart of the pretty town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the Abbaye Saint-Pierre church sits in the Place du Marche and stands high above the surrounding buildings.

A simple church that offers a refreshing cool interior on a hot summer day.