La Chapelle-Aubareil: Cultural Heritage and Trails

La Chapelle-Aubareil brings together historic buildings, small traces of everyday life and paths through a wooded landscape. Extensive chestnut and oak forests surround the village, and marked trails offer panoramic views over the Vézère Valley.

Church, Manor House and Traces of the Past

The Church of Saint-Loup was built in the 17th century. Its doors are decorated with Maltese crosses and rosettes; the choir also faces away from the sunrise. The Manoir de l’Air, also known as the Manoir de Lher, dates from the 18th and 19th centuries and consists of two sections arranged at right angles. The church and manor house thus offer different ways to explore the village’s architectural history.

Smaller landmarks also contribute to the area’s historical character: the Repaire du Bareil has been known since the 13th century, and only a 15th-century tower remains of its ruins. La Chapelle-Aubareil has at least 13 old wells. Washhouses such as Les Moussaries, La Peyre and the washhouse at the pumping station recall everyday life in times gone by. Roman coins dating from 69 to 269 AD were also discovered archaeologically near La Sagne. These traces span the ancient world and the buildings and facilities that shaped the village’s appearance in earlier centuries.

Trails Through the Forest and Valley

The Boucle de l’Albaroise is 10 km long and passes through a wooded area with a pond, forests and valleys. Its stated distance makes it easy to plan a route. The Boucle de la Turançonnaise offers a different perspective, with views of the Manoir de l’Air. Marked trails also provide panoramic views over the Vézère Valley. Each description highlights something different: a named route with a specified distance, the landscape along a trail, and views of the manor house or valley.

If you would rather plan your trip around scenic landscapes than historic buildings, the forests surrounding the village and the panoramic views are a good starting point. If, on the other hand, you want to explore the area’s cultural heritage, you can compare the historical dates associated with the church and the Repaire du Bareil with the architectural details of the manor. Each of the two loops offers its own impressions; choose the trails and viewpoints according to what interests you most.

Local Experiences

Les Tambours de Jadhyane offers workshops on making drums, as well as introductory and advanced drumming sessions; drum and trance workshops are also available. If you would like to include one of these activities in your travel plans, check booking requirements and seasonal availability before you arrive.

Foie Gras Mercier has a shop in La Chapelle-Aubareil. It sells foie gras, regional products, beer and walnut oil. Check the opening arrangements before visiting. The workshops and the shop offer different experiences: drum-making and drumming at the former, and a selection of regional products at the latter. When planning your trip, you can decide which of these interests you, without limiting your stay to just one aspect of the village.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Laurent-Sur-Manoire, Saint-Médard-D'excideuil, Abjat-Sur-Bandiat, Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, Savignac-Lédrier, Boulazac, Saint-Front-De-Pradoux, Grives.

See the regional travel overview: Dordogne.