Nanteuil-Auriac-De-Bourzac: Churches, Mills and Wetland

In Nanteuil-Auriac-De-Bourzac, churches tell the story of different building phases, while mills reflect the processing of grain, oil and paper. The Tourbières de Vendoire wetland, in the surrounding area, is another local feature. Together, these attractions range from architecture and industrial history to landscapes and biodiversity.

Churches and their building phases

The Église Saint-Jacques retains the layout of a Romanesque single-nave church, a rounded choir and a tower atop a dome. Side aisles with Gothic rib vaults were added later, and the portal was decorated with Renaissance motifs. The church has been partially listed as a historic monument since a decree dated 6 December 1948. The protection covers the Renaissance portal and the capitals on the west façade.

Nearby stands the parish church of Saint-Etienne, a former Benedictine priory. The priory was fortified during the Hundred Years’ War, a history recalled by the wall walk above the Romanesque apse. The two churches convey different aspects of local history: at Saint-Jacques, successive architectural styles stand out, while at Saint-Etienne, it is the priory’s former fortifications.

Mills and historic uses

In the second half of the 18th century, the Moulin du Pont operated as a grain and oil mill and was largely rebuilt in the 19th century. In 1865, it had two undershot vertical waterwheels, two sets of millstones and an oil press. These details show how several operations were carried out at a single mill site.

The Moulin Poirier was a grain and oil mill as well as a paper mill. The paper mill has disappeared; only the millrace remains from the grain-milling operation, while the oil mill is completely preserved. At the Moulin d’Auriac, the focus is again on its former use and how it changed over time: it was a grain and oil mill in the first half of the 18th century, and grain milling ended in the 1950s.

The Moulin du Treuil is a ruin. Parts of the main masonry remain, along with remnants of an undershot waterwheel and the sluice gates that powered it. Together, the mills illustrate a range of historical uses and states of preservation, from the completely preserved oil-milling section at the Moulin Poirier to the surviving structures at the Moulin du Treuil.

Tourbières de Vendoire and its habitats

Nanteuil-Auriac-De-Bourzac is one of the municipalities included in the 148.62-hectare Tourbières de Vendoire ZNIEFF type 1 area. The wetland complex in the surrounding area includes former peat workings, aquatic and amphibious communities, alkaline fens, wet meadows and alluvial ash forest. These diverse habitats provide the setting for the species recorded there.

These include rare wetland plants and threatened butterflies, as well as the European mink, European pond turtle and common lizard. The Eurasian otter has been recorded occasionally. Thirty hectares in the area have been acquired and are managed by Espaces Naturels d’Aquitaine. The Maison des tourbières runs educational programmes; check in advance for current offerings.

Circular walk and guided discoveries

The Boucle de Nanteuil-Auriac-de-Bourzac – Le Petit Bourzac is a 5.6-kilometre circular walk starting in Nanteuil-Auriac-De-Bourzac. Check trail conditions before setting out. Les Échappées Vertes offers another way to discover local attractions, with a fun, guided exploration of the area’s historic, architectural and natural heritage. Check availability before your trip.

The guided donkey trek “Les dos d’ânes de la Lizonne” starts in Auriac-de-Bourzac and passes through the landscapes of the Lizonne Valley. Unlike the circular walk, this experience focuses on the guided format and valley scenery. Activity details and booking arrangements may be updated by the provider, so check availability and current conditions in advance.

For planning, you can choose between a circular walk with a specified distance and guided activities with different focuses. The churches and mills add tangible historical points of interest, while the Tourbières de Vendoire brings the surrounding wetland landscape into focus.

Discover more destinations: Monsac, Beauregard-de-Terrasson, Saint-Vincent-Le-Paluel, Razac-d'Eymet, Villars, Cendrieux, Saint-Félix-De-Reillac-Et-Mortemart, Puyrenier

For the broader travel guide: Dordogne.