Saint-Martial-De-Nabirat: Hiking and Architectural History

Saint-Martial-De-Nabirat brings together two travel interests: circular hikes starting in the village and the history of the Church of Saint-Martial. The loops differ in length and permitted uses; the church’s historical timeline stretches from the 12th century to later restorations.

Circular hikes of varying lengths

The Boucle Roc de la Selle is an easy circular hike starting in Saint-Martial-De-Nabirat. It is 4.7 kilometres long and takes about one hour and 30 minutes on foot. When planning, you can therefore take into account an approximate duration as well as the distance. Its easy rating provides an indication of difficulty alongside these two figures.

The Boucle des Hameaux de Saint Martial is a 14-kilometre circular route starting in Saint-Martial-De-Nabirat. It can be used on horseback, on foot and by mountain bike, and is designated as a route focused on history and nature. It is almost three times as long as the Roc de la Selle. The shorter loop has an approximate walking time and is rated easy; the longer route is defined by its distance, permitted uses and thematic designation. This allows you to weigh up whether you prefer a hike with a more clearly defined duration or a considerably longer route with several designated ways of getting around.

The Church of Saint-Martial and its architectural history

The Church of Saint-Martial is the municipality’s most important cultural site. It is Romanesque in style and dates from the 12th century. It underwent extensive restoration in the 19th century: the building was heightened and the bell tower rebuilt. Its history thus encompasses both its medieval origins and significant later structural changes.

A further restoration in 2012 highlighted architectural details. These include an exterior death strip, which encloses the part of the building modified in the 17th century, a door dated 1666, and the coats of arms of the then lords of Saint-Martial, the Calvimont family. The date 1666 refers to the door, not the church’s origins: the building dates from the 12th century.

Traces of the former Château de Saint-Martial

Traces of the former Château de Saint-Martial also survive in the village. These include a coat of arms above the door of the former chapel and a date from 1666. The château is said to have been destroyed on 6 or 7 December 1790. The year 1666 therefore appears both in details of the church and among the traces of the former château; the two references relate to different buildings and historical contexts. In the case of the church, they concern the Romanesque building and its restorations; in the case of the château, they concern a former castle whose traces have survived in the village fabric.

Discover more destinations: Plaisance, Château-L'évêque, Saint-Front-La-Rivière, Bourdeilles, Saint-Georges-De-Montclard, Montaut, Rouffignac-De-Sigoulès, Saint-Romain-Et-Saint-Clément

Back to the regional travel overview: Dordogne.