Brantôme: Island Town on the Dronne

Brantôme is a town on an island, surrounded on all sides by the waters of the Dronne. The river features in different ways: on a guided boat trip, along the Véloroute du Val de Dronne and at nautical jousting events. Other attractions include a botanical garden, a long-established market and several historic landmarks. The interests to pursue during a stay therefore vary according to activity, season and timeframe.

The Dronne: boat trips, cycling route and summer evenings

Les croisières de Brantôme offers a 50-minute guided boat trip on the Dronne. It departs from the 16th-century Pont Coudé. As this is a seasonal activity, check the schedule before your trip. The Véloroute du Val de Dronne follows the river between Brantôme and Ribérac. The options therefore differ when planning your visit: the boat trip has a clearly defined duration, while the cycling route can be understood in terms of its course along the river between two towns. Local surface and access conditions along the Véloroute may change; check them before setting off.

Friday also offers two distinct time slots. The long-established market takes place every week in the morning, giving local producers the opportunity to showcase their traditional know-how. On summer Fridays, nautical jousting events take place on the Dronne in the evening. The difference is clear when planning your visit: the market follows a weekly morning schedule, while the jousting events are tied to summer Friday evenings. For your travel dates, check current market dates and seasonal details, as well as the current summer programme for the jousting events.

Heritage between a walking tour and abbey remains

Brantôme has held the « Petite Cité de caractère » designation since 2018. The town’s heritage can be explored on a walking tour featuring 41 signposted panels. The signage may be updated; check the current information if you are planning to take the tour. The building known as Maison dite des « Marchands vénitiens » is an example of 15th-century architecture. Another historical landmark is the Grotte du Jugement Dernier, which contains enigmatic bas-reliefs amid the troglodytic remains of Brantôme’s original monastery. The two cultural attractions differ in focus: the house is notable as an example of 15th-century architecture, while the cave is distinguished by its enigmatic reliefs within the monastic remains. Access arrangements for the cave may vary; check before visiting.

Botanical garden and regional setting

ALAIJE’s botanical garden combines plant collections and themed areas with biodiversity-focused spaces, including landscaped areas and a wetland. Its focus on plants, design and biodiversity therefore differs from that of the historic landmarks. Brantôme is also a gateway town to the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin.

Discover more destinations: Belvès, Coux-Et-Bigaroque, Le Pizou, Chassaignes, Maurens, Nanteuil-Auriac-De-Bourzac, Saint-Amand-de-Belvès, La Dornac

See the overview of the wider region: Dordogne.