Discover Bardou

Bardou sits atop a hill 170 metres high, overlooking the Issigeac plateau. From the cemetery, the view opens out across the plateau. The village’s history also includes the Église Saint-Blaise and the Château de Bardou; the Boucle Bardovienne adds a clearly described circular route to these themes. If you are looking for a hotel in Bardou, its architecture, views or walking route can help shape your travel plans.

Panoramic views across the plateau

From the cemetery in Bardou, you can look out across the Issigeac plateau. The viewpoint is tied to a specific location, while the 170-metre-high hill defines Bardou’s setting. These details help distinguish the view from the historic buildings and route descriptions: here, the focus is on the village’s elevation and the plateau.

The Église Saint-Blaise

The Église Saint-Blaise is a church in the early Romanesque style. Three monks sent from Cadouin built it in the 11th century. Its features include a 13th-century chapel, an original entrance portal and a bell gable rising above the portal. The church’s construction period and the later chapel can be distinguished chronologically; the portal and bell gable add specific architectural details.

History and access to the Château de Bardou

The Château de Bardou includes the remains of an English fortress dating from the 13th century. Formerly known as Fort St John, it served as a garrison during the Hundred Years’ War. The remains of the fortifications and their later military use provide different historical associations with the château. Today it is privately owned and cannot be visited. Check access arrangements before your trip if you plan to include it in your itinerary.

Planning the Boucle Bardovienne

The Boucle Bardovienne is a 4.2-kilometre circular route starting in Bardou. Very easy options are available for completing the route on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. The stated times vary by mode of travel: 1 hour 30 minutes on foot, 40 minutes on horseback and 35 minutes by mountain bike. Comparing them shows the time allowed for each option. You can consider the route length together with the relevant time when planning.

Water, buildings and other points along the route

Along the Boucle Bardovienne are ponds, enclosed springs and fountains, which indicate spring outlets below the village. The route also passes the Chartreuse d’Entraygues. The water features and the building provide different reference points for the route description: the spring outlets below the village and a named historic building along the way.

At the hamlet of La Mouthe, an old ditch surrounded a watchtower. In the Middle Ages, the tower served as a toll station. The Bergerac–Rocamadour path passes through Bardou and Naussannes before reaching Beaumont-du-Périgord. Unlike the loop, which starts and ends in Bardou, this route is defined by the places it passes through and its onward course.

Discover more destinations: Quinsac, Nailhac, Eyliac, Vaunac, Salon, Lolme, Saint-Cyprien, Angoisse.

For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.