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“Originally from the Drôme region, I discovered Brantôme
when I came to Dordogne to train as a glass blower. I fell in
love immediately! In 2004, I decided to set up my workshop
in one of the underground grottos of the cliffs that shelter
the town. Down under the rock, the peaceful atmosphere
gives off amazing vibrations and tremendous energy to
work with.When creating my glass sculptures, I take my
inspiration from the vivid countryside all around Brantôme
—mushrooms, butterflies, flowers… It’s really worth
climbing to the top of the Abbey church’s bell tower for a
breathtaking view of the town.The upturned keel framework
in the old monk’s dormitory is also outstanding.”
Before the war, Brantome was home to ironmongers,
mattress makers, seamstresses, coopers and
stonecutters. A vanished world brought to life in
Jean Lapouze’s book
Vieux Métiers d’hier et histoire
de Brantôme
(Iota, 2014).This work retraces the
history and showcases the skills of some 90 local
craftsmen. Forgotten today, these men and women,
who earned a meagre living, were once part of the
town’s vital features.
“The atmosphere
here gives off amazing
vibrations”
Eric Simonin,
glass blower
Early Trades and Crafts
The limestone cliffs overhanging the Abbey, house
mysterious grottos inhabited since the VIIIth cen-
tury, when Benedictine monks first established a mo-
nastery there. A discovery trail leads the way through
this troglodytic universe that includes a pigeon loft,
a washhouse, remains of dwellings, and a fountain
devoted to Saint Sicaire. The most striking feature is
The Grotto of the Last Judgement. Two monumental
bas-reliefs are carved in the rock wall: a XVIIth cen-
tury Crucifixion
(opposite)
and an enigmatic sculpture
on the theme of “the triumph of Death”.
Troglodytic Mysteries
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
© Jean Lapouze/Iota
©PhilippeRoy
©PhilippeRoy
©DR
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24+1 VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD
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