Servanches: Culture, Nature and Local Delights

For your search for hotels in Servanches, culture, landscape and local tastings offer different points of interest. Parts of a defensive tower remain at the Château de Servanches; Église Saint-Blaise was rebuilt in the 19th century. Other highlights include the Via Turonensis pilgrimage route, the Natura 2000 site “Vallées de la Double” and ponds as features of the local landscape. Tastings are a focus at La Dobla and at the La Clairière restaurant.

Defensive Tower, Park and Church

At the Château de Servanches, the ground floor and first floor of a defensive tower attached to the side of the house remain intact. The tower’s defensive function refers to its purpose of protection; the two surviving floors also make the specific part of the building easy to understand. If you are interested in architectural forms, you can consider its function, attachment and surviving levels together.

The Château is surrounded by an enclosed five-hectare park, whose only outlook is nature. Two distinct aspects of the Château can therefore be found side by side: the surviving defensive tower and the nature-focused park. If you are planning to stay as a guest at the Château, check the applicable access conditions in advance.

Église Saint-Blaise was rebuilt in the 19th century; its west façade has a bell tower. In contrast to the Château, the focus here is on the period of rebuilding and a specific detail of the façade. The Château’s architectural significance is shaped by its surviving defensive tower, while the church is defined by its rebuilding period and western bell tower.

A Pilgrimage Route Through Servanches

The pilgrimage route from Tours to Santiago de Compostela, the Via Turonensis, passes through Servanches. Unlike the Château and the church, this is not a single building, but a route that connects the village with a pilgrimage trail. If you are more interested in pilgrimage routes than individual buildings, you can consider this as a distinct cultural highlight.

Nature and Landscape

The Natura 2000 site “Vallées de la Double” also extends into Servanches; its official designation dates from 6 October 2016. Ponds are also among the features of the local landscape. The park at the Château, the Natura 2000 designation and the ponds represent different scales: an individual property, a designated area within Servanches and specific features of the village landscape. This lets you understand the area’s connection with nature both through a designated site and through a landscape feature.

La Dobla and Local Specialities

La Dobla is an organic craft brewery in a former farm in Servanches and also a local beer that you can taste here. Visitors can tour the hop garden and sample the beers on offer by prior arrangement. Arrange your visit in advance and check availability before travelling.

You can sample local specialities at the La Clairière restaurant in Servanches. It is also a good idea to check availability before travelling. The two places have different focuses: La Dobla centres on hops and beer, while La Clairière offers local restaurant specialities.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Marcory, Vanxains, Azerat, Sceau-Saint-Angel, Champniers-Et-Reilhac, Fouleix, Mouzens, Vergt.

View the broader travel guide: Dordogne.