Paunat

Paunat offers several starting points for planning a trip: the abbey church, a remnant of a Benedictine abbey; walking routes with different durations and difficulty levels; and seasonal events. When choosing a hotel, you can first consider whether architectural history, a hike, garden culture or a particular date will shape your stay. The differences between these themes can help you weigh up activities and the time required.

Abbey Church and Garden Culture

Paunat’s abbey church is the surviving remnant of an important Benedictine abbey. Its imposing bell-tower porch stands 25 metres high. The church is considered one of the oldest abbey churches in the Périgord. When it comes to heritage protection, the church and its surroundings should be distinguished: the Église Saint-Martial was partially classified as a Monument historique on 9 July 1956; its surroundings were partially listed as a Monument historique on 12 March 1959. The two forms of protection therefore have different dates and apply to different areas.

The Jardins de la Chartreuse du Colombier have been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” designation. Highlights for visitors include Baroque pavilions and dovecotes, varied planting with old roses and peonies, and a vegetable garden inspired by Florentine gardens. Here, the focus is on garden design, while the abbey church, with its architectural form and the history of the Benedictine abbey, offers a different cultural perspective.

Choose Walking Routes by Duration and Difficulty

The Boucle des Bertrandoux is 7.6 kilometres long, rated easy and takes about two hours. The Boucle des Montoises covers 10 kilometres, is of moderate difficulty and takes approximately three hours. Compared directly, the second route is 2.4 kilometres and about one hour longer; it is also rated as more challenging. The duration estimates are approximate and provide a guide for planning your day. Before setting out on a walk, also check the local condition of the trails.

The Boucle des Bénédictins starts and ends in the centre of Paunat. In addition, routes around Paunat connect the surrounding villages and can be used on foot or by mountain bike. This gives you a choice between specific, described circuits and a network of routes suited to different ways of getting around. At the Montées Paunatoises, amateur athletes explore Paunat on foot or by bicycle; this event is a separate occasion and should not be confused with a specific walking route.

Access to the Dordogne and Waterways

At the Bac de Sors, Paunat has direct access to the Dordogne. There is no beach there, and swimming is not permitted. Plan to use the Bac as a river access point, not as a swimming spot, and check conditions and regulations before visiting.

Le Paunat and Le Pradelle flow through the commune, while La Rèze borders Paunat. Trout fishing is permitted in these three first-category waterways. If fishing is part of your trip, check the local rules in advance; the distinction between the two streams and the bordering waterway remains important.

Plan Around Seasonal Events

The Montées Paunatoises is an annual outdoor event held in early May. Amateur athletes explore Paunat on foot or by bicycle. The Musique en Sol Festival comprises four concerts in the first half of August at Paunat’s abbey church. The two events therefore take place at different times of year and connect the destination with outdoor activity and music in the church, respectively.

Every summer, gourmet markets featuring local producers from the region are held in Paunat. If a concert, the Montées or a market is central to your trip, check the specific dates in advance. This suggests a practical order for planning your hotel stay: if your trip is tied to an event, first choose the right date; for a walking holiday, the routes’ length, approximate duration and difficulty can help you decide.

Discover more destinations: Paulin, Veyrines-de-Vergt, Ménesplet, Saint-Sulpice-De-Roumagnac, Prats-du-Périgord, Berbiguières, Domme, Salignac-Eyvigues.

Return to the main travel overview: Dordogne.