Just 8 kilometers from Château le Verdoyer, the charming village of Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière invites you to discover its fascinating history and verdant landscapes. Nestled in a valley basin at an altitude of 150 meters, at the foot of the final wooded slopes of the Limousin plateau, this authentic town unfolds on both banks of the Dronne—a river that sheds its torrential character here to meander peacefully through the valley.
Located at the crossroads between the Limousin, Périgord, and Bordeaux regions, Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière was once a strategic ford used by pilgrims traveling to the Abbey of Brantôme. To this day, the village retains traces of this rich past, inviting visitors on a journey through time.
A turbulent history
Medieval origins
The history of Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière dates back to the 13th century, long before the construction of its fortress—a Frankish citadel of which only a few retaining walls of the plateau remain today. The village owes its name to Saint Pardoux, who was born in 657 in Sardan in the diocese of Limoges and served as director of the Monastery of Guéret until his death.
In 1490, at the request of Jeanne de Guyenne, prioress of the Convent, King Charles VII granted Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière the right to hold a market every Thursday, a tradition that continues to this day. In 1581, the town attained the rank of barony.
The Dominican Convent: An indelible mark
The importance of Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière was significantly bolstered at the end of the 13th century by the founding of a Dominican convent. This extraordinary initiative was the work of Marguerite de Bourgogne, Viscountess of Limoges, nicknamed “Marguerite the Furious” due to her intransigence and cruelty.
To atone for her sins, the Viscountess had the monastery built on her lands. On May 20, 1293, Fine d’Aragon, the first prioress, took possession of it accompanied by six Dominican nuns from the monastery of Prouille, the cradle of the order. For six centuries, forty-two prioresses succeeded one another, and the convent became a source of prosperity for the village, whose inhabitants affectionately referred to the nuns as “our ladies.”
During the French Revolution, the convent was abandoned and sold to Sieur Planchas-Lavalette, who leased it to the department to serve as a women’s prison. After the last prisoners were released, the abandoned buildings were pillaged by villagers to provide materials for their own homes. Part of the cloister was even moved in 1808 to a house in town, and the convent church was demolished in 1830.
A flourishing economy
The village once boasted seven mills, including an oil mill on the Dronne. The population consisted of minor gentry, merchants, surgeons, and farmers, as well as artisans of various trades: carpenters, masons, cabinetmakers, blacksmiths, spur-makers, clog-makers, weavers, stonecutters, and gunsmiths. Farmers grew cereals in the fertile soil of the valley, harvested walnuts for oil, and raised livestock.
A heritage to discover
Saint-Pardoux Church and its sundial
In the heart of the village, on the former “Place des Forts,” stands the Saint-Pardoux church, of Romanesque origin dating back to the 12th century. After numerous lootings and thirty years of neglect, it was restored in 1599 and dedicated to Saint Pardoux, and later to Saint Bruno.
The jewel of this church is undoubtedly its magnificent sundial, created in 1854 on the southern facade, accompanied by the poetic inscription: “Like a shadow that passes and does not return, so pass our days that go by in great haste.” In the Place Général de Gaulle surrounding the church, you will also discover a fountain and the 1914-1918 war memorial, which was registered as a historical monument in 2015 and includes the statue “On ne passe pas” (They Shall Not Pass) by Eugène Piron.
The washhouses and the public weighbridge
As you head down toward the Dronne, you will discover the village’s charming washhouses, including one by the riverbank where you can enjoy a picnic. A second washhouse is located near the multi-purpose hall. Don’t miss the public weighbridge dating from 1898, an architectural monument located in the center of the commune.
The Museum of Antique Postcards
Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière was home to a little-known treasure: the Museum of Antique Postcards of the Périgord, unique in France. Founded in 1994 by heritage enthusiast Henri Brives, this museum displayed some 25,000 to 30,000 antique postcards exclusively dedicated to the Périgord region over 600 m².
Housed in a building dating back to 1720, the museum invited you to wander through the various Périgord cantons, discover the department’s 557 communes, and fondly rediscover the trades of yesteryear, early advertising posters, and publications with old-world charm. A true time machine, it closed a few years ago, and we hope it will find a new enthusiast to resume this journey through time!
The Green Way: a flow of nature
An exceptional route
The former Thiviers-Saint-Pardoux railway line, built in 1888 and renamed “La Voie Verte” (The Green Way), has been repurposed to welcome hikers, cyclists, and horse riders. This 16 to 17-kilometer route with a smooth, stabilized sandy surface runs through the heart of the Périgord Vert, offering a safe and shaded ride, perfect for the whole family.
The trail follows a genuine green corridor amidst forests of oak, pine, and acacia, with splendid views over the wild Côle and Dronne valleys. Heritage lovers will appreciate the numerous structures along the route: the Saint-Pardoux viaduct, bridges, footbridges, cattle passes, station buildings, and crossing-keeper’s houses.
The Flow Vélo
The Green Way is part of the national V92 Flow Vélo route, a cycling network that crosses the Aquitaine region. The route ascends gently from Saint-Pardoux for about 3 km, crosses a 6 km plateau, and then descends and climbs slightly towards Thiviers.
Along the way, be sure not to miss Saint-Jean-de-Côle, classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, easily accessible from the Green Way. The villages of Saint-Romain, Saint-Clément, Saint-Martin de Fressengeas, and Milhac-de-Nontron will also welcome you with their charm.
The Night of the Spardos: a legendary festival
An unmissable event
Every year, on the last Saturday of July, Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière comes alive for the Night of the Spardos, a night market created in July 1997 by the festival committee team and the municipality. This bold initiative was rewarded from the very first edition by the presence of 5,000 people, making this event the premier night market in northern Dordogne.
Admission is free, and the festival offers a rich program: a night market, car boot sales, concerts, troubadours, and various merchants. Men dressed as monks serve the famous Spardos brew, the recipe for which is preciously kept secret in old grimoires.
The Legend of the Spardos
The organizing team has successfully created a captivating legend around the Spardos, also known as “The Night of the Reflection”.
Long ago, on a beautiful July night, the massive monastery building was reflected every year on the waters of the Dronne like an immaculate sheet. Around this visual event, a grand celebration was held.
Troubadours, minstrels, and merchants allowed pilgrims to enjoy themselves, and the Spardos drink gave everyone the cheerfulness needed for women and children to want to return every year. Until the day the watchman of the reflection was distracted and could not signal with his bell that the magical moment had arrived. Like a curse, the monks deserted the place forever.
Since that day, every stone was dislodged, and gorse, ivy, and groves reclaimed their rights, sending the monastery’s quarters tumbling into the riverbed. The baptism of the Spardos, which takes place at the opening of the festival around 7:30 PM, proclaims the quality of the brew before it goes on public sale.
A haven of preserved nature
Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière enjoys an exceptional natural environment. The cool, flowing waters of the upper Dronne river are home to numerous animal and plant species, serving as a testament to the river’s pristine quality. The presence of the freshwater pearl mussel, in particular, has earned the Dronne European recognition through its inclusion in the Natura 2000 network.
Thanks to the European LIFE+ program, two dams were dismantled at the Tannerie de Chamont, allowing the river to regain its natural flow. Trout have returned to the village in large numbers, a brilliant sign of the water quality.
Numerous hiking trails await you starting from the village, including the Brin viewpoint, which offers a splendid panorama of the valley. Maps are available at the tourist office or at the town hall.
