Villages of Perigord

“Copper and brasswork are time consuming… but we

certainly don’t have the same notion of time here, as in

the city! I came to Saint-Amand 36 years ago now.The

village was lost at the bottom of the glen and the Abbey

was overgrown with briars. Little by little, I could see a

change come over the place; the village was improved

and tourists started to come.The meaning of life makes

sense here, there’s a nice quiet family atmosphere that’s

ideal for my craft.And as a journeyman craftsman, living

in the shadow of the Abbey reinforces my respect for the

great builders of medieval times.”

Where does the name Saint-Amand come from?

The village’s religious history tells of Amand, a young

nobleman in the middle of the VIth century, who chose

to devote himself to a monastic life and to evangelising

the local population. He retired to a cave, where it

is said, he later died.According to a document written

in 1048, a monastery was built on his tomb.After his

death, a monastic community settled in this place

named after Saint-Amand.

“We take our

time here”

Alain Lagorsse,

coppersmith

A Local Hermit

Different well-signposted routes, and games for children

enable families to discover the secrets of the village and the

surrounding area. Among them, the “Historic Route” an hour

long hike that will lead you tomonuments such as the Abbey,

the old hospital and its washroom and the walnut barn…

More of a nature trail, the “chemin des Rapiettes” route takes

you on an hour and a half long hike, on the trail of lizards and

salamanders and local flora growing along the stone walls.

Along the Way

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

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24+1VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD

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