Discover Savignac-Les-Églises

Savignac-Les-Églises brings together religious buildings featuring elements from different centuries, industrial and dry-stone heritage, and nature and outdoor activities. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, this variety can help you decide in advance what to focus on during your trip.

Chapels, churches and local history

The rectangular choir of the Chapelle Saint-Christophe belongs to a church dating from the late 11th century; the nave has disappeared. Above the portal is a stone bas-relief from the 13th century depicting Christ between the Virgin Mary and Saint John. There is also a bell gable built in the 14th century. The choir, relief and bell gable thus represent three clearly distinct periods, from the late 11th to the 14th century.

The area around the chapel has also undergone a historic transformation: the former cemetery surrounding the Chapelle Saint-Christophe was relocated in 1904 and turned into an ornamental park. At the parish church, Église Saint-Martin, the foundations date from the 11th century. The church was rebuilt around 1570 during the Wars of Religion. These dates add an early foundation and a later rebuilding phase to the chapel’s architectural history.

Dry stone and industrial history

Several dry-stone huts can be seen in Savignac-Les-Églises. In this building method, stones are fitted together without mortar; the huts bring this traditional form of construction to life in the village. They are a different part of the local heritage from the churches and chapel.

The village mill and wool-spinning mill are also among its defining historical features: together, they now form an archaeological industrial site. This gives industrial history a tangible place in the local heritage alongside religious architecture and dry-stone construction.

Nature and activities at Causse de l’Isle

Causse de l’Isle covers 410 hectares of protected nature. Several areas are designated as Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS). The Causse is home to rare ocellated lizards and also boasts an especially rich dry-stone cultural heritage. Here, a protected landscape meets a distinctive cultural heritage.

For outdoor exercise, there are signposted Nordic walking and mountain biking trails on the Causse. Land art activities are also available. The range extends from marked routes for different types of exercise to artistic engagement with the area. Which activity you focus on depends on whether you prefer walking, mountain biking or exploring land art.

One specific hiking option is the Boucle de la Nature: this 5.5-kilometre circular trail is rated easy and starts in Savignac-Les-Églises. Its length, circular route and difficulty level give it a clearly defined profile. You can include it in your travel plans as a named hike, while activities on the Causse also include Nordic walking, mountain biking and land art.

The Isle and fishing

The banks of the Isle in Savignac-Les-Églises are landscaped, shaded and inviting. There is a fishing platform at Plaine du Gué that is accessible to people with disabilities. As the condition of accessible facilities can change, check the current condition of the platform before your visit.

The Parcours de pêche « Famille » family fishing area is located at Plaine du Gué on the Isle. The river is classified there as a second-category fishing water. Fishing rules and seasons may vary, so check the conditions that apply to your visit in advance.

Discover more destinations: Bézenac, Mareuil, Servanches, Lunas, Carsac-De-Gurson, Mussidan, La Bachellerie, Coursac

For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.