Badefols-D'ans: Heritage and Landscape

Badefols-D'ans sits atop a 300-metre-high hill on the border of the Dordogne and Corrèze départements. Alongside its architectural history, the landscape also shapes the character of the village. At the Château de Badefols-d'Ans, the hillside setting and medieval buildings take centre stage; the Église Saint-Vincent et Saint-Cloud complements this focus with Romanesque architecture. Motorsport and a glimpse into a family business are also among the topics you can consider when planning your stay.

The Château de Badefols-d'Ans

The Château de Badefols-d'Ans forms a spur and rises above the large plain on the hillside. A spur is a projecting section of terrain; here, the term describes the shape of the site and clarifies the relationship between the hillside and the plain. The buildings date from the 14th and 15th centuries. By decree of 11 September 2007, the château was listed as a historic monument. The construction period and the listing date mark two distinct points in time: the buildings' origins and their later protected status.

The Romanesque Église Saint-Vincent et Saint-Cloud

The Église Saint-Vincent et Saint-Cloud is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. It originally had a single nave. A nave is the elongated main space of a church building; in the walls of this nave, there are two passageways behind the dome. The single-nave layout describes the original floor plan, while the passageways are a specific feature of the nave walls. By decree of 12 October 1948, the church was listed as a historic monument.

The buildings differ both in their dates of construction and in the dates of their listings: the church dates from the 12th century and was listed in 1948; the château buildings date from the 14th and 15th centuries, and the château was listed in 2007. This allows you to consider Romanesque church architecture and the later history of the château's construction as distinct historical points of interest.

Panoramic views in clear weather

In clear weather, Badefols-d'Ans offers beautiful panoramic views of the Périgord and the mountains of Auvergne. The views are explicitly dependent on clear weather conditions. If you include the landscape in your travel plans, keep this caveat in mind and plan to enjoy the panoramic views as a weather-dependent part of your stay.

Motorsport and event dates

A designated track in Badefols-d'Ans is used for car, buggy and kart competitions; it is used for a maximum of two sporting events per year. In addition, the track is available for driver training or practice on ten weekends and four weekdays between March and October. Competitions and training therefore have different purposes and time frames. Check the specific event dates before your trip.

A glimpse into the family business

Throughout the year, La Ferme Roulland offers a discovery tour of its family business. The tour introduces visitors to walnut and truffle production, duck farming and the fattening of ducks with whole maize kernels. It offers a look at both crop production and animal husbandry, making it a different kind of experience from the historic buildings and motorsport. Check the current visiting arrangements before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Ajat, Agonac, Auriac-Du-Périgord, Eygurande-Et-Gardedeuil, Lacropte, Azerat, Issigeac, Valojoulx

For the wider travel overview: Dordogne.