Agonac: Church Art, Castle and Routes

In Agonac, Romanesque church art and medieval castle history meet routes of varying lengths and for different ways of getting around.

Romanesque Church and Murals

The Église Saint-Martin is an 11th-century Romanesque church. Its distinctive bell tower was built a century later above a decorated dome on pendentives. Pendentives are curved transitional elements beneath a dome. The church therefore shows evidence of different building phases. It has been classified as a historic monument since May 22, 1900.

The murals also date from a later period: they are dated to the 15th century. One depicts a crucifixion; another shows a mounted knight who may represent the charity of Saint Martin. This interpretation remains a possibility. Together with the Romanesque church and the tower built later, the murals offer several points of interest in art history at the Église Saint-Martin.

The Château d’Agonac

The Château d’Agonac is the former Castrum Agoniacum, located on a central hill overlooking the Beauronne valley. In the 12th century, it was transformed into a proper castle with a substantial keep and walls 2.20 meters thick. References to the former castrum and the later castle conversion distinguish two historical phases of the site.

The Château is now privately owned. Bear this in mind when planning your visit, and do not assume that the interiors are open to the public. This allows you to consider the castle as a historical landmark without planning a visit inside.

Routes on Foot, by Mountain Bike, or on Horseback

The waymarked Boucle de Fontroubade is a 7.2-kilometer circular hiking trail. The start and finish are at Place de la Poste in Agonac; walking time is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The route follows the Beauronne and passes through a wooded area. It is intended for walkers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, and focuses on cultural, historical, and religious points of interest.

Among the sights along the Boucle is the Moulin de Bordes. In the 1950s, the mill used its waterwheel to produce walnut oil and grind grain for the bakery. Its former use adds a glimpse into the mill’s work at the time to the exploration of cultural heritage sites.

Another option is the 12-kilometer Les Rousselles–Agonac route. It can be completed on foot, by mountain bike, or on horseback in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It is longer than the 7.2-kilometer Boucle; a walking time is given for the Boucle, while the time for the second route is associated with all three listed ways of getting around. Check trail conditions before setting out.

La ligne bleue and Its Audio Features

La ligne bleue is an interactive walking route with QR codes and five audio features. The features introduce the Église Saint-Martin, the Porte Salseyron, the Fontaine de Pisse-Chèvre, the Lavoir de Bezan, and the Château d’Agonac. The audio stops thus lead to five different places and complement the routes with a cultural and historical perspective. The audio technology’s functionality on site may depend on maintenance.

Discover more destinations: La Bachellerie, Saint-Front-d'Alemps, Lamonzie-Saint-Martin, Plazac, Sarrazac, Saint-Pantaly-D'ans, La Chapelle-Saint-Jean, Champagnac-De-Belair

Return to the main travel overview: Dordogne.