Saint Leon sur Vezere - Dordogne, France travel

Visitez Saint Leon sur Vezere : gites | hotels | location des voitures | explore Dordogne

Saint Leon sur Vezere ('most beautiful villages of the Dordogne') is 10 kilometres north of Les Eyzies in the Vezere Valley.

Tourist Information

St Leon sur Vezere can be found in the Vezere valley, halfway between Montignac and Les Eyzies. and it is well worth finding if you are in the area.

It is a completely beautiful little village, in a curve in the river, and is a cluster of honey-coloured old houses joined by small alley ways. The 'over-renovation' that sometimes strikes the 'most beautiful villages' has not struck St Leon to any great degree, so it has that timeless appeal that is so hard to find.

The fine church, with its manicured lawn and repointed stonework, would be the exception, except it is such a perfect little church that it is beyond criticism.

Church at Saint Leon sur Vezere

There are a few cafes and restaurants on the 'main road' at the edge of the village, and one or two arty crafty pottery type places but over-commercialisation has been kept to a minimum.

There is a large and impressive chateau in the village, the Chateau de Chabans but unfortunately we didn't have time to go in...it is in a lovely setting with attractice French style gardens, and has been carefully restored over the last 16 years.

When I reread this I realise it sounds like a tourist ofice blurb, but it really is a lovely little village. It will only take about an hour to explore St Len sur Vezere properly, leaving plenty of time for lunch in one of the restaurants, or a picnic on the river banks.

Nearby

The Vezere Valley in the region is positively covered in old caves, troglodyte dwellings, and remnants of prehistoric man. The renowned Lascaux Caves are also close by.

For the children there are plenty of 'dinosaur parks' etc, and for all the family there is canoeing on the Vezere itself (canoes can be hired in the village).