Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes: Architectural History and Nature

Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes combines historic buildings with walking trails and natural attractions. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can start by asking yourself whether you would like to focus your stay on architectural history, a circular walk or exploring nature. The Château de Fournils, the Église Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes and the town hall each offer a different historical perspective; trails, woodland and ancient trees provide further interests to consider when planning your trip.

Architectural History and Monuments

The Château de Fournils, together with its outbuildings, former chapel and entire park, is listed as a historic monument. Protected features are located in Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes and Beaupouyet. The listing therefore covers more than just the château: the outbuildings, former chapel and park are also part of the protected ensemble.

The Église Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes was originally Romanesque and was destroyed in 1362. It was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century. After the Battle of Coutras, it was ransacked and restored in the 19th century; it has been a protected historic monument since 1997. Inside, the church preserves a carved, polychrome wooden altarpiece from the 17th century. Polychrome means decorated in several colours and adds a surviving piece of interior furnishing to the building’s history.

The town hall is also one of the protected historic buildings. It dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, has a wooden gallery and has been a protected historic monument since 1948. Its protection dates from earlier than that of the church. The gallery provides a distinct architectural feature alongside the Église’s different building phases.

On Foot, by the Water and in the Forest

The Boucle de l’écluse is an easy 5.0-kilometre circular walk that starts in Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes. Its length, circular route and difficulty rating provide specific details for planning. As the length and difficulty may be updated in future, check the route details before setting out.

The Boucle de l’étang is a walking route with historical and natural history themes that runs alongside the Canal de la Filolie. The two routes have different points of focus: the length and easy rating are established planning details for the Boucle de l’écluse, while the Boucle de l’étang is characterised by its themes and its route along the canal. You can therefore choose whether specific walking details or a historical and natural history focus matters more to you.

In summer, a gabare uses the fully restored lock system on the Canal de la Filolie. This is a seasonal activity; specific operating dates may vary. Alongside its role in the route of the Boucle de l’étang, the canal thus adds its own seasonal aspect to trip planning.

There are three ways to explore the Forêt de la Double from Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes: on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. This sets exploring the forest apart from the two walking routes mentioned above and lets you plan according to your preferred way of getting around. As another natural and scenic feature, the Parc de Fournils is home to numerous century-old trees and has been listed with the DREAL since 1980.

Discover more destinations: Monplaisant, Carsac-Aillac, Saint-André-Et-Appelles, Vaunac, Plaisance, Sainte-Radegonde, Saint-Amand-de-Belvès, Campsegret.

For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.