Boisse: Mills, Wine and Landscape

Boisse can be explored through three distinct themes: landscape, architectural history and wine. The municipality is part of the ZNIEFF Vallée du Dropt, which is listed in the national biodiversity inventory. Other highlights include the La Boucle de Boisse walking route through vineyards and meadows, historic buildings, and wine offerings at Moulins de Boisse. If you are considering a stay in Boisse, these themes offer different points of interest to explore.

Landscape and Trails

Two different scales should be distinguished when considering the landscape. The ZNIEFF Vallée du Dropt also includes the municipality of Boisse and is listed in the national biodiversity inventory. The La Boucle de Boisse walking route passes through vineyards and meadows. The ZNIEFF places the municipality within a named area; the route identifies the types of landscape it passes through. The municipality’s geographical setting and the specific landscapes along the route therefore offer two distinct perspectives. If landscape is your main interest, you can take this distinction into account when choosing your destination.

Mont Long is one of the many limestone hillocks in the Pays Issigeacois; locally, such hillocks are also called “calcadous” or “tertre blanc.” This adds a different landform to the vineyards and meadows along the route: here, the focus is on limestone hillocks, while there, it is on the landscapes the trail passes through. The local terms refer to the hillocks themselves.

Architectural History in the Village

Two centuries are clearly identified for the buildings. The private grain mills, Moulins de Boisse, date back to the 16th century and are still visible on the hill today. A 19th-century chartreuse manor house stands above the valley. The mills’ date and the chartreuse’s prominent position in the valley provide different points of reference: age on the one hand, and its place in the village landscape on the other.

Opposite the former 19th-century school is a dovecote incorporated into a building. There is also a half-timbered house in the center of Boisse. Beyond the buildings’ age, their position and architectural form offer specific points of reference: an integrated dovecote opposite the school and a half-timbered house in the village center. For travelers interested in architectural history, the contrast in age is easy to compare: the mills date back to the 16th century, while the chartreuse and former school date from the 19th century.

Wine and Visits

Wines from the estate are sold and available for tasting at Moulins de Boisse. The selection includes wines with the Bergerac, Bergerac sec and Côtes de Bergerac AOC designations. If wine is one of your travel interests, the sales and tastings offer a specific point of interest; the three designations identify the wines on offer in more detail.

Guided visits are available by appointment only. If you are planning a tour, arrange an appointment in advance and confirm the details before your arrival.

Discover more destinations: Prats-De-Carlux, Parcoul, Les Farges, Villac, Saint-Priest-Les-Fougères, Saint-Séverin-D'estissac, Limeuil, Périgueux.

For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.