Molieres

Visit Molieres, Aquitaine

Molieres is in the Dordogne department of Aquitaine, north-east of Beaumont-du-Perigord. Founded in 1284 as an English bastide town, Molieres remained incomplete however, suffering further damage in the destructive Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion.

Among the things that were never finished or were destroyed during the wars are the castle, and the arcades that should in principle surround the main square (only a small part remains). The original market hall is also no longer in existence.

Exploring Molieres

All this talk of what is missing might however give a misleading impression of Molieres, which in no way feels 'incomplete' and is a delightful small village to visit.

It is small though and a complete visit and a drink in the cafe will only take a couple of hours...start your visit with a stroll around the main square, original heart of the bastide town.

There is a nice church in the village - on the 'main street' outside the main square next to the town hall and war memorial. The Church of Saint-Jean is suitably impressive and dates from the 13th century. Built in a gothic style with a large square belltower the church gives the impression of being rather oversized given the size of the village!

Also just outside the square along the Rue du Chateau are the ruins / remains of the 14th century Molieres Castle. A nice place for a picnic, it is little more than a large grassy area surrounded by a 5 metre high wall, and the ruins of a central tower. Be aware of the warnings (French only) that children (and adults) are not allowed to clamber on the castle walls because of the risk of falling rocks.

Make sure to also amble out of the main square and along the back alleys that run parallel to the roads, there are lots of glimpses of beautiful Dordogne houses and gardens to enjoy.

One place you might also like to visit in Molieres is the 'House of Walnuts' - an exhibition celebrating the important role that walnuts had (and still have) in the Dordogne region.

Attractions nearby

There are several places of interest in the wooded hills of the surrounding countryside, which remains relatively quiet even during the summer tourist season. In the immediate area visit the abbeys at Cadouin and Saint-Avit-Senieur and the small but picturesque village of Montferrand-du-Perigord.

Photos of Molieres (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Molieres, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Montferrand-du-Perigord 7km; Limeuil 10km; Le Bugue 15km; Belves 15km; Monpazier 15km; Saint-Cyprien 19km; Issigeac 20km; Villereal 20km; Chateau de Biron 21km; Les Eyzies 21km; Font-de-Gaume 21km; Abri of Laugerie-Haute 21km; Chateau de Commarque 22km; Chateau des Milandes 23km; Beynac 25km; Castillonnes 25km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Molieres

Molieres tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Saint-Hilaire et Eglise de Saint-Nicholas (Tremolat) - religious monument (7km) : Eglise Sainte-Croix (Beaumont-du-Perigord) - religious monument (8km) : Jardin de Planbuisson - remarkable garden (8km) : Abbaye de Cadouin (Le Buisson-de-Cadouin) - religious monument (8km) : Jardins de la Bourlie - remarkable garden (10km) : Abbaye de Saint Martial (Paunat) - religious monument (11km) : Eglise de saint-Pierre (Audrix) - religious monument (12km) : Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Belves) - religious monument (15km) :

French version: see Molieres (Francais)