Discover Saint-Martin-le-Vieux

If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Martin-le-Vieux, you can choose the focus of your stay based on its attractions: hiking trails and a viewpoint, Saint-Martin Church, the Moulin de Pont-Péry, and the farm shop in Bord offer different points of interest. This lets you decide whether the landscape, heritage, or local products should shape your travel plans.

Hiking trails and landscape

La Boucle de Saint-Martin-le-Vieux is a 5.9-kilometer circular trail through the countryside. It is described as a pleasant hike for families. Its length and circular route provide a specific guide when choosing a trail.

The Chemin des deux passerelles runs through the municipality of Saint-Martin-le-Vieux and gives families the chance to discover the small Gôt and Arthonnet streams. Chassagnat is a viewpoint on the hiking trails of Saint-Martin-le-Vieux. If you would like to factor a stated distance into your plans, the 5.9-kilometer Boucle is a specific point of reference; the streams are the focus of the Chemin, while Chassagnat is known for its viewpoint.

Saint-Martin Church: architectural history and furnishings

Saint-Martin Church is a Romanesque-Gothic building with two large buttresses and a Romanesque bell tower with two sound openings. Buttresses are projecting structural supports; sound openings are openings in a tower. Round-arched windows, a vaulted interior, and side chapels dating from the 15th century add to its architectural features.

One section of the church dates from the 12th century. It was rebuilt between 1492 and 1495; this building phase included the construction of the chapels, vaulting the entire building, and erecting the bell tower. The chronology thus covers both the surviving older section and the work carried out at the end of the 15th century.

Inside are two reliquaries from the 18th century, including one of Saint Martin, as well as a 19th-century painting of Saint Leonard. There is also a baptismal font and a wooden statue of John the Baptist. The building phases and dated objects offer different insights into the church’s history.

Moulin de Pont-Péry

The Moulin de Pont-Péry was built in 1585 by Pierre Mousnier, a carpenter from the village of La Chaize. It stands on the left bank of the Arthonnet and was one of the last mills in the region to remain in operation. Its year of construction, builder, and riverside location anchor the mill’s history in specific details; its former status as an operating mill adds to the picture of milling in the region.

Goat cheese and farm shop in Bord

Madame Guindre offers goat cheese in Bord, including Crottins, Bûches, Feuille du Limousin, Camembert, Blancs battis, and Faisselle. Milk is available to order. Farm sales are by prior telephone arrangement; plan to call before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Royères, Saint-Pardoux, Châteauponsac, Droux, Bonnac-La-Côté, La Croisille Sur Briance, Le Châtenet-en-Dognon, Blanzac

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Vienne.