Sainte-Foy-De-Belvès: Hiking, Nature and Architecture

Sainte-Foy-de-Belvès combines a clearly defined hiking route with forest and waterscapes, as well as several architectural features. The 12.0-kilometre Boucle des Manoirs starts in the village; the Beuze crosses the commune, and the Église Sainte-Foy-de-Belvès and the Lavoir represent different architectural forms. If you are planning a stay, you can explore the area from three perspectives: outdoor activity, nature and architecture.

Forest, Water and Leisure

Almost two-thirds of Sainte-Foy-de-Belvès is forested. The woodland consists of oak forests, chestnut groves and mixed oak and pine forests. Oaks therefore grow both in stands of their own and alongside pines; chestnuts add to the mix. The Beuze crosses the commune and is a tributary of the Dordogne. It offers residents and visitors numerous places for relaxation and leisure activities. The commune also contains 1.63 hectares of wetlands. The large proportion of forest defines the landscape; the Beuze and the wetlands complement it with river and wetland scenery.

The Boucle des Manoirs

The Boucle des Manoirs is a 12.0-kilometre circular route starting in Sainte-Foy-de-Belvès. It can be used for walking, horse riding, mountain biking and cultural activities. This gives you several ways to enjoy the route, in addition to its fixed length. The distance helps you factor the route into your daily plans; check local conditions before setting out, as they can change. The circular route differs from the Beuze as a leisure destination: it has a defined starting point and length, while the river offers numerous places for relaxation and leisure activities.

Church and Lavoir

The Église Sainte-Foy-de-Belvès has a single-nave vessel without bays and a choir with a flat apse. The vessel was re-vaulted with a wooden lining; the choir, which was rebuilt later, is offset to the right in relation to the vessel. A vessel is the main longitudinal space; single-nave means there are no side aisles, and “without bays” means it is not divided into individual bays. The flat apse forms the end of the choir. Together with the wooden lining, the rebuilding and the offset choir, these features define the church’s distinctive interior.

The Lavoir is a small rectangular stone building with a symmetrical gabled roof covered with curved tiles. A gabled roof has two sloping sides; its symmetry and the curved tiles shape the building’s exterior. By comparison, the church is defined by its floor plan, choir and vaulting, while the Lavoir is characterised by its compact form, stone construction and roof covering.

Getting There

For directions, the 2019 municipal planning report lists the valley road on the Bordeaux–Bergerac–Sarlat route, the RD 710, the Périgueux–Villefranche-du-Périgord route via Belvès, and then the RD 54. Road numbers can change, so check the current route before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Loubejac, Saint-Georges-Blancaneix, Saint-Pierre-D'eyraud, Paussac-et-Saint-Vivien, Gageac-Et-Rouillac, Mialet, Varaignes, Lamonzie-Saint-Martin.

For the regional travel overview: Dordogne.