Beaulieu-sur-dordogne: One Of The Most Beautiful Villages In France.
Small medieval town nestled on the right bank of the Dordogne, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne joined in 2022 the very exclusive club of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. We have listed for you 5 things to see or do in this village nicknamed "the Limousin Riviera".
1- Visit the Saint-Pierre Abbey Church.
The charming town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, located in the southern part of the Corrèze department, attracts visitors with its mild climate, as well as the beauty of its natural surroundings and architecture.
One of the most remarkable monuments of this medieval city is the Saint-Pierre abbey. In the 9th century, a Benedictine abbey was founded by the counts of Turenne, lords of Beaulieu. This abbey was attached to Cluny in the 11th century and the Saint-Pierre church was built between the 12th and 13th centuries.
It is a Romanesque church with a Latin cross plan and a magnificent portal. The portal, a true masterpiece of Romanesque art, represents the return of Christ at the end of times.
2- Strolling through the alleys.
After admiring this highly detailed scene, take the time to stroll through the streets of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne! You will discover many remarkable facades, sometimes adorned with half-timbering or other decorations.
In this medieval city, some old houses are still topped with turrets. But one of the most picturesque houses in Beaulieu is undoubtedly the house of Adam and Eve or Renaissance House.
This private mansion, located in the heart of the old town in front of the western facade of the Saint-Pierre abbey church, has a facade decorated with medallions, statues, and cherubs.
This facade, adorned with sculptures dating from the 16th century, and a monumental Renaissance fireplace are two elements of the house that were classified as Historical Monuments in 1928.
3- Admire the chapel of the Penitents.
Thanks to the richness of its built heritage, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne has been awarded the label of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" since 2022... This highly coveted distinction is well deserved since the town is home to another of the most spectacular buildings: the Chapel of the Penitents!
Former parish church of Beaulieu, the Notre-Dame church or Chapel of the Blue Penitents stands out easily in the landscape thanks to its bell tower-wall which is reflected in the waters of the Dordogne.
Do not miss the opportunity to admire this unusual sight, while enjoying the mild climate and the riverside scenery.
4- Take a ride on a gabare.
Near this remarkable religious building, you can board a gabare, a flat-bottomed river boat formerly used for transporting goods. From May to October, gabare rides are organized and allow visitors to discover a page of local history.
The gabariers descended as far as Libourne to deliver loads of wood destined for the Bordeaux cooperage. In Beaulieu, a street called "Rue des Gabariers" perpetuates the memory of this river transport.
Today, the more athletic can also practice canoeing on the waters of the Dordogne.
5- Eating strawberries
In Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the mild climate is favorable to the cultivation of strawberries. The town and its surroundings produce 400 tons of strawberries per year, which is about 1% of French production.
To honor this local specialty, the town organizes the Gariguette Festival on the second Sunday of May.
If you have the opportunity to visit the village during this strawberry festival, you can enjoy a farmers' market, a writers' salon, and boat rides on the Dordogne.
You can even taste a giant strawberry tart. For the occasion, a tart with a diameter of 8 meters is prepared with no less than 900 kg of fruit. As you can see, the aptly named town of Beaulieu has many surprises in store for you!
