Marquay: Church, Cave Art and Hiking Trails

When planning a stay in Marquay, cultural history and hiking offer two distinct focuses. At the heart of the commune is the Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-liens, which is open to visitors free of charge. The Abri de Cap Blanc adds prehistoric art to the picture; two circular walks start in Marquay and differ in length, difficulty and estimated duration. Château de Puymartin is also within the commune.

Cultural history, from the church to cave art and the château

The Romanesque choir of the Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-liens dates from the 12th century. Its features include a stone dome, a five-sided apse and unusually vaulted transept arms. The individual architectural elements give the choir a distinctive profile. During Heritage Days, the “Les Amis de l'Église de Marquay” association offers guided tours of the church.

The Abri de Cap Blanc lies in the Grande Beune valley, a tributary of the Vézère, where numerous Palaeolithic sites are located. Its sculpted frieze was the first Palaeolithic sculptural ensemble to be discovered. The shelter is also among the prehistoric sites and decorated caves in the Vézère Valley that have been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1979. As of 17 August 2026, the shelter is open to the public. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Château de Puymartin is located within the commune of Marquay. The surviving remains of the original château date from the 13th century. The mythological cabinet contains 17th-century grisaille paintings that are classified as historic monuments. Taken together, the recorded dates represent different periods: the Romanesque choir, the medieval château remains and the cabinet paintings. These dates refer to different parts, not to a château preserved unchanged.

Two circular walks starting in Marquay

The Boucle des Hauts de Marquay is a moderately difficult circular walk. It is 12.7 kilometres long, starts in Marquay and takes approximately three hours and 55 minutes. The route passes through hilly, wooded terrain with hamlets and small meadows. Details for this route may change; check the latest route guide before setting out.

The Boucle de Callabout is an easy circular walk. It also starts in Marquay; the route is 9.1 kilometres long and takes about two hours and 40 minutes. Here, too, the landscape includes hilly, wooded terrain and hamlets. The hamlets bear witness to the area's rich farming history.

Compared directly, the Callabout loop is around 3.6 kilometres shorter; its stated duration is approximately one hour and 15 minutes less than that of the Hauts loop. The difficulty ratings also differ: Callabout is rated easy, while the Boucle des Hauts de Marquay is rated moderate. This makes it possible to compare the two options by distance, estimated time and rating without treating their different route descriptions as equivalent.

Producers’ market in Marquay

Another part of the local offering is the Marquay producers’ market. It sells vegetables, fruit, cheese, fish, wine and local crafts. The selection may vary depending on the season and the vendors. The market thus complements the historic sites and walking routes with its own focus on produce and crafts.

Discover more destinations: Pomport, Chassaignes, Coux-Et-Bigaroque, Grives, Église-Neuve-d'Issac, Montagrier, Bardou, Gavaudun.

Go to the main travel overview: Dordogne.