Abbaye de Brantôme

The Dordogne


Brantôme’s most illustrious landmark is the former Benedictine Abbey, built and rebuilt from the 11th to 18th centuries and now occupied by the town hall. Look for the detached 11th-century Romanesque bell tower, built into the rock, and the oldest in the Limousin style. Next door is the Gothic church.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Dordogne attractions

1. Grottes de l'Abbaye

Behind the former abbey – Brantôme’s most illustrious landmark and now the town hall – lie moody caves, originally a place of pagan worship and then part…

2. Château de Bourdeilles

4.12 MILES

Explore one of the fortresses of the four baronies of the Périgord, built and rebuilt over the centuries. Tucked in a small bend in the River Dronne, it…

3. Écomusée de la Truffe

11.74 MILES

Sorges, 23km northeast of Périgueux, has an informative museum describing truffle growth and gathering, as well as a shop with local products. There's…

6. St-Front Quarter

12.91 MILES

North of the cathedral is this fabulous tangle of cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses. The best examples are along rue du Plantier, rue de la…

7. Roman Amphitheatre

12.95 MILES

The ruins of the city’s amphitheatre, designed to hold more than 20,000 baying spectators, was one of the largest such structures in Gaul. Today the tops…

8. Jardin des Arènes

12.95 MILES

The verdant Jardin des Arènes in the rejuvenated ruins of the city's Roman amphitheatre attract locals and visitors alike. Kids play in the fountain,…