Everything French Travel Magazine November 2013 | Page 34

Domme | Beautiful Village of France
The bastide village of Domme sits high above the
Dordogne Valley, 150 metres above the Dordogne
river which meanders peacefully below.
From Belvedere de la Barre there are stunning
views across the Dordogne valley.
History
Situated on an exceptional site, at the crossroads
of main regional routes, a Feudal castle marked
the spot until 1280. King of France, Philippe the
Bold had a fortified village constructed in 1280,
following his campaign along the Dordogne river,
asserting its strength over the wealthy lords of the
area. Domme obtained the privilege of minting its
own currency.
In 1307 a number of Knight Templars were

imprisoned in the Porte des Tours during the trial
against them. The Templar graffiti that bear
witness to this time can still be seen today.
During the Hundred Years' War, the bastide was
coveted by the English who first took the town in
1347 and it repeatedly changed rulers throughout
the war until 1437 when it finally fell under French
rule again.
The most damaging invasion was during the
Religious wars when it was taken by Huguenots
under the command of the famous Protestant
captain, Geoffroy de Vivans. A majority of its
medieval edifices were destroyed during this time.
Today Domme is a popular destination in the
Dordogne for locals and visitors alike.

Things to See and Do
Templar Knights Graffiti

Visit the Porte des Tours and the graffiti of the
Knight Templar’s held captive here.
Caves / Grotte
The Grotte of Domme is the largest natural cave
in the Périgord Noir, featuring colonnades,
stalactites and stalagmites. The entrance to the
caves is found in the market place. The tour takes
approximately 45 minutes.
Museum Paul Reclus
Musée Paul Reclus is housed in a beautiful
building that is part of the cultural heritage of
Domme. The museum showcases an interesting
collection of items with a focus on Archaeology,
Ethnology and History.

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The L’ Oustal du Perigord
Is home to a large collection of antiques and
traditional items from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The collection tells of peasant life in the region,
providing other valuable evidence of their art and
their history.
The Petit Train
Take a guided tour of Domme in a petit train with
audio commentary or a guide.