Saint-Mesmin: Hiking, the Auvézère and local culture

Saint-Mesmin can be explored via its trails, the Auvézère and local cultural events. When choosing a hotel, it may therefore be important to consider whether you mainly want to hike, experience the river or connect your trip with a specific event. The options differ in route type, connection to the river and timing: from a short circular walk to a long-distance trail or a pilgrimage, there are several specific points to help you plan.

On foot: circular walks, a long-distance trail and a cultural trail

The “Boucle du saut Ruban” is a 2 km circular hiking trail that starts in Saint-Mesmin. The GR646 long-distance hiking trail also passes through Saint-Mesmin and ends in Le Change near Périgueux. This gives you two different hiking options: a short circular route starting in the village and a long-distance trail that passes through it. If you would rather include a compact local route or part of a long-distance trail in your trip, this distinction can help you choose.

The “Gorges de l’Auvézère” circular trail is also signposted along the roads in Saint-Mesmin. The cultural trail includes a 44 m-long footbridge over the Auvézère. This offers a distinct way to explore the village: the bridge links the cultural route with a river crossing, while the named hiking trails focus on other types of routes.

The Auvézère: water sports, trails and views

Canoeing, kayaking and hydrospeed are available on the Auvézère in Saint-Mesmin. These activities are intended for experienced participants. If you are choosing between hiking and water sports, take this participation requirement into account.

Trails along the Auvézère lead you to Saut-Ruban. The path to the Saut-Ruban waterfall is also suitable for a riverside picnic, combining a visit to the waterfall with a specific opportunity to take a break by the water.

Gabourat can be reached via a forest path leading to a small footbridge over the Auvézère. The Veaupeytourie viewpoint sits at the upper edge of the gorges and offers a view of the river and the village. Each place offers a different landscape: trails and the riverbank at Saut-Ruban, a forest path and its bridge at Gabourat, and a view from above at Veaupeytourie.

Pilgrimage and theatre in Saint-Mesmin

A pilgrimage to the Notre-Dame-de-Partout chapel on the Puy des Ages hill takes place on the first Sunday in September. The chapel was built in 1958. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, its specific date is a useful point of reference.

The Troupe du Saut Ruban is also part of village life. It rehearses weekly; its play is renewed every year, and the first performance is held in Saint-Mesmin. This means a pilgrimage on a set date in September and an annually renewed play that opens in the village offer two different cultural reasons to visit Saint-Mesmin.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Léon-Sur-Vézère, Saint-Avit-Sénieur, Carsac-Aillac, Pomport, Sergeac, Biron, Saint-Vivien, Servanches

For the regional travel overview: Dordogne.