La Boissière-D'ans: Blacksmithing History and Heritage

La Boissière-D'ans appeals to travellers who want to give their stay a specific historical focus: traces of ironworking, church architecture and châteaux shape the choice of theme. If you are looking for a hotel in La Boissière-D'ans, you can first consider whether you are most interested in the Forges d'Ans, medieval architectural history or the landscape around the Auvézère. The following places offer different perspectives, from a protected industrial complex to a driving tour in the Vézère Périgord Noir.

The Forges d'Ans and their industrial history

The Forges d'Ans were founded at the end of the 17th century by Jacques-François de Hautefort d'Ajat, Seigneur d'Ans. The protected complex includes the manor house, the foundry, a park with hydraulic sluices and former blast furnaces. By decree of 21 December 2018, the Forges were listed as a Monument historique. The protection therefore covers an ensemble of different components, not just the blast furnaces.

The surviving blast furnaces can be visited on certain open days organised by the « La route des canons » association. Regular opening is not guaranteed, so check the dates before your visit. The Blâme stream is also part of the forge’s history: it supplied it from 1691 to 1830. The Cascade du Blâme lies at the foot of the bridge, where the stream of the same name flows into the Auvézère. This makes it possible to consider a specific point in the landscape alongside the former use of the water.

Church architecture and châteaux

The Église Saint-Martin in La Boissière-D'ans combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural features; its portal has capitals. Capitals are the uppermost parts of columns. Medieval wall paintings were discovered during restoration work on the church in 2011. Thus, as well as its architecture, this dated discovery is another distinct aspect of the local history. If you are planning a visit, it is a good idea to enquire locally about the current state of restoration.

The 15th-century Château des Brouillets is close to the town centre. Machicolations and a wall walk are still clearly visible on the building. Machicolations are projecting defensive openings; a wall walk is a walkway along a fortification. The Château d'Ans is another historical point of reference: in the 15th century, it formed the basis of the political and military authority of the Châtellenie d'Ans and served as the residence of its captain.

Routes and landscapes in focus

The Route des Canons starts at the surviving forge in La Boissière-D'ans. The “La Châtellenie d'Ans” circuit, on the other hand, is described as a driving tour in the Vézère Périgord Noir. The two descriptions therefore differ in their specific orientation: the Route des Canons has a stated starting point at the forge, while the circuit is explicitly described as a car journey. The Château d'Ans provides a historical connection to the Châtellenie, although the route and the château are not the same kind of place.

The landscape descriptions also vary in scale. The Cascade du Blâme is a specific place at the foot of the bridge, connected with the stream and its flow into the Auvézère. The Causse de Cubjac, by contrast, lies within the municipality of Cubjac-Auvézère-Val d'Ans. It is a type 2 ZNIEFF and covers 56.9 percent of the municipality’s area. This figure describes the landscape at municipal level; it does not refer solely to La Boissière-D'ans. A local watercourse and a larger natural area thus offer different perspectives.

A culinary aspect

Brebis d'Ans offers farm-made ice cream and dairy products made from the milk of sheep of the Basque breed; the range may vary. This specific product offering adds another consideration when choosing a destination, alongside the historic buildings, the history of the forge and the routes.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-l'Astier, Campagne, Ménesplet, Angoisse, Paulin, Berbiguières, Étouars, Gageac-Et-Rouillac

For the main travel overview: Dordogne.