Val de Louyre et Caudeau is a village in the Dordogne, in the Aquitaine region, 30 km south of Périgueux.
The town was officially created on January 1, 2017 following the merger of Cendrieux (586 inhabitants), Sainte-Alvère (847 inhabitants) and Saint-Laurent-des-Bâtons (212 inhabitants), the last two communes having already merged a year before. Val de Louyre et Caudeau has about 1,650 inhabitants.
Its vast territory of 82 km² is ideally positioned in the center of the Périgueux-Bergerac-Sarlat triangle, in the Périgord blanc and on the borders of the Périgord Noir.
If the history was sometimes agitated (Hundred Years War, Wars of Religion, Revolution) and if the rural exodus strongly impacted the old villages, Val de Louyre et Caudeau has preserved a historic heritage of quality and hearts of picturesque and authentic boroughs. The environment consists of landscapes in the form of limestone plateaus, valleys (several rivers have their source), wood and crops and typical production areas (strawberries, truffles, duck farms) makes the locality a very popular destination. appreciated. Green, cultural and gourmet tourism is logically developed.
The originality of the village of Cendrieux lies in the circular design of beautiful mansions, all converging on their fortified church of the twelfth century Romanesque style, listed as a Historic Monument. The shape of its tower steeple, square and crenellated, represents a unique set in Périgord. Three streams have their source: the Louyre, Caudeau and Vern.
The new municipality has a built heritage of the first order.
On Saint-Laurent-des-Bâtons, the castle of Saint-Maurice is an old strong house of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. If the ramparts, the moats and the drawbridge disappeared, the building was the subject of a very effective restoration campaign from the 1960s. Now classified, it is open to visit only during the Heritage Days, in September.
Adjoining this private property is the old castle chapel, restored and remodeled in the 16th century. To see also, the church Saint-Laurent, in the same borough, which was built in the nineteenth.
On Sainte-Alvère, with a first fortified enclosure from the eleventh century, it is the remains of the castle of the thirteenth which testify to the power of this old seigniory. Restored in the 18th century, the castle was destroyed during the Revolution. It remains a high circular tower of the thirteenth, and the original enclosure, some elements.
We can continue to visit the church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens, built in the eighteenth century on the foundations of a church of the twelfth. It was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. A few steps, in front of the eastern facade of the church, you will notice a large cross of the eighteenth. The ironwork elements evoke the nails and crown of thorns of Christ and the stone base has moldings and elements recalling the Louis XV style.
Always on the old town of Sainte-Alvère, a walk is essential to the marsh of Petit Mas, an area of fifteen hectares classified for its ecological interest on the edge of the village of Veyrines-de-Vergt. Crossed by the course of Caudeau, the site is popular with migratory birds (ducks, waders), otters and mink.
Finally, a visit to the new town can be concluded by the picturesque village of Cendrieux, whose circular homes converge on the church of St. John the Baptist. Dating from the twelfth century for its oldest parts, rebuilt in the sixteenth and nineteenth, the fortified building evokes a keep, because of its square and crenellated steeple, unique in the region. The interior is in the Romanesque style, with a choir of square plan surmounted by a dome. The old elements of the church were elevated and enshrined in the 16th century reinforcing the monumental aspect of the whole.
See also, the castle of Pommerie, built in the late eighteenth century and refurbished in the nineteenth for its north facade. Classified, it was bought in 1949 by Princess Marie-Clotilde Napoleon, daughter of Prince Victor Napoleon and married to the Earl of Witt. Half a century later, their son, Count Baudoin de Witt and his wife Isabelle decided to open the estate to the public to present a rich collection remained in the family until then, objects, paintings, sculptures tracing the history of Napoleon I and the Bonaparte family. The set consists of more than 600 pieces of which 158 are classified. This museum Napoleon will interest young and old, and the visits include projections and playful spaces. Guided tours only in April, May and June on Sundays at 3 pm (and Thursdays at 3 pm during school holidays), every day at 3 pm from July 1st to 15th, every day at 11 am, 3 pm and 5 pm from July 16th to the 31st. August and every day at 15h except Saturday from 1 to 15 September. All year round by reservation for groups. Price: 5.50 and 7 euros. Information on +33 5 53 03 24 03.
In the surrounding countryside, around Cendrieux, see also the spectacular strawberry fields and the sources of the Louyre, Caudeau and Vern.
For guided tours of villages, but also information on hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding including all or part of the new town of Val de Louyre et Caudeau, contact +33 5 53 53 10 63.
Path of the memory: reconstitution of the maquis of Durestal where André Malraux made a stay.
In mid-May, the even years, feast of sticks in Saint-Laurent-des-Bâtons in the spring of the Bastides. Fun and historical activities, concerts, exhibitions of crafts are included in the program.
From late May to mid-June, in Cendrieux, amateur theater festival.
The first weekend of August, communal festival of Sainte-Alvere, with fun and musical entertainment.
The third weekend of August, in Sainte-Alvère, book fair.
The first weekend of September, patronal feast in Cendrieux, with fairground attractions and concerts.
Finally, on a completely different level, every Monday from December to the end of February, the truffle market in Sainte-Alvère attracts a large audience. Opening at 10am. The opportunity to discover this treasure of gastronomy and to attend a singular ritual when the transactions begin... Information +33 5 53 73 55 85.
Atlas de la Biodiversité : Fête de la Nature - les Pollinisateurs
- On 5 june 2024
- Jardin ès liens
- Wednesday June 5,2024 from 10am to 4pm, at the Jardin ès-liens, take part in the Fête de la Nature : pollinators. - The association 'pour les enfants du pays de Beleyme' will be on hand all day to run workshops on pollinating insects, as part of the Atlas de la Biodiversité Communale du Grand Périgueux (Greater Périgueux Municipal Biodiversity Atlas) - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. : 'Discover pollinators, identify them, photograph them' workshop, followed by the SPIPOLL participative science protocol - At 11am and 2pm : workshop 'zoom sur les bourdons' followed by the participative science protocol 'opération bourdons' - Free - Reservations recommended at beleymenature@gmail.com
Fête du Village
- On 7 june 2024
- Jardins ès liens
- Village fête in Sainte-Alvère, Friday June 7, organized by the Parents' Association Les Ptits Mélanos. - Bring your lunch and cutlery. - Musical entertainment : La Pompa Swing, gypsy jazz. - Tables and chairs available. - Rendezvous at the jardins ès liens from 6 p.m.
Metropolitan Opéra Live : Lucia di Lammermoor
- On 8 june 2024
- Espace Culturel André Malraux
- Saturday June 8,2024, at 6:30 pm, at the Espace Culturel André Malraux in Cendrieux, live broadcast of Donizetti's lucia di lammermoor from the Metropolitan Opera. - Lucia Ashton and Edgardo Ravenswood swear love and loyalty to each other, despite the obvious enmity between their families. Lucia ? S brother Enrico has other plans for her : to satisfy his own personal interests, and while Edgardo is away in France, he presents Lucia with an invitation to the Metropolitan Opera - Edgardo has left for France, he presents his sister with false accusations against the man she loves and forces her to sign a marriage contract with Arturo Bucklaw. - For the 2023-2024 season, the Confluence des Arts et des Savoirs association is offering the Metropolitan Opera ? S nine selections as part of the HD-Live 2023-2024 broadcasts, plus six additional operas, with the quality of the MET ? S live broadcasts. - Tickets : 17 € / Assiette garnie : 8 € - By reservation
Marché aux Truffes d'été à Sainte-Alvère - à Partir du 10 Juin 2024
- From 10 june to 29 july 2024
- Place du Marché aux Truffes
- Summer truffle market in Sainte-Alvère on Monday mornings from June 10,2024, Place du Marché aux Truffes. - Inspection at 10 a.m., opening at 10.30 a.m. - The curious and little-known cousin of Tuber Melanosporum, the Summer Truffle, also known as the St. John's Truffle, is presented on our stalls on Monday mornings from mid-June to mid-July, subject to availability.
Journées Européennes de l'Archéologie
- On 15 june 2024
- Halle du Marché aux Truffes
- The European Archaeology Days in Sainte-Alvère on Saturday June 15,2024 from 6pm. - The Association "Le Cantou de la Tour" and Inrap, with logistical support from the commune, are organizing the JEA. Inrap archaeologists will be presenting a workshop in the church square at Sainte-Alvère, based on a participatory model recounting the organization of an ancient village. - They will also be giving a talk on the contribution of preventive archaeology to our knowledge of the physical paleo-landscapes that have shaped our current natural environment. - Free
Visitez le Chantier des Fouilles
- On 15 june 2024
- Place du Château
- As part of the Journées Européennes de l'Archéologie (European Archaeology Days), visit the Château's archaeological excavation site on Saturday, June 15,2024 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Guided tour led by the operations manager of the HADÈS Bureau d'investigations archéologiques, in charge of the excavations. - Tours depart every 45 minutes. - Free, by reservation (places limited per slot).
Concert de Chant Choral
- On 15 june 2024
- Eglise ès liens
- Choral concert by "Choeur en B" on Saturday June 15,2024 at 9pm, in the Sainte-Alvère church. - Conducted by Eric Picot. - Free participation, open to all. - Glass of friendship.
Randonnée Boucle des Truffières - l'OTI Joue les Jeux
- On 15 june 2024
- 22 rue de la République
- Saturday June 15th at 1pm - Guided hike on the loop of the truffle trail - As part of the project l'Agglo joue les Jeux, 100 jours avant les Jeux Olympiques, the Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Grand Périgueux is continuing its activities with its third guided hike, which will take place on Saturday June 15 at 1pm. - In the heart of the "bon vivre" and "gastronomy" region, discover a rich historical heritage : exceptional built heritage, natural areas and gourmet flavours, including the famous Périgord black diamond. - A welcome drink will be offered and the walk will be punctuated by cultural and gourmet stops. - Open to all - Free - Distance : 11 km - bring suitable hiking shoes. - Level : medium - Duration : 4h30 - RDV : Sainte-Alvère town hall - On registration : 05 53 53 10 63, limited to 35 participants.
Marché de Producteurs de Pays
- On 17 june 2024
- Rue de la république
- Monday mornings from June 17 to August 26,2024, Rue de la République. - As an extension of the weekly market, meet the Producteurs de Pays and enjoy seasonal, local produce direct from the producer.
Marché de Producteurs de Pays
- On 24 june 2024
- Rue de la république
- Monday mornings from June 17 to August 26,2024, Rue de la République. - As an extension of the weekly market, meet the Producteurs de Pays and enjoy seasonal, local produce direct from the producer.