Sainte-Foy-la-Grande

Visit Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Aquitaine

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande is situated in the north-east corner of Gironde, very close to the border with both the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne departments. For years I had driven past Sainte-Foy on the busy road from the Dordogne to Bordeaux without even realising there was a town worth visiting hidden behind the commercial development...

But there is, and Sainte-Foy-la-Grande is an attractive 13th century bastide town, with the additional highlight of directly facing onto the Dordogne river.

Explore Sainte-Foy-le-Grande

In the town centre of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande you will discover all the characteristics you expect in a medieval bastide: half-timbered houses, a central square with stone arcades around the edges, and a nice church - although the central square now contains the substantial 'town hall' building rather than the traditional market hall, which makes it a little harder to appreciate the original grid layout than in some bastide towns.

Sainte-Foy also has a good selection of everyday shops and cafes, and all facilities - it is large enough to be a 'living' town rather than a 'tourist town', which brings both benefits and disadvantages from a visitor's point of view.

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande also has a feature that most of the bastide towns don't, in that the Dordogne river runs through the town (Eymet shares this honour). This is unusual because bastide towns were more commonly situated on hilltops. It is pleasant to take a short stroll around the quais for a while, or even take a boat trip on the river.

There is also a small river beach (the Plage des Bardoulets) where the children can have a paddle.

You can also see some remains of the original defensive ramparts that once surrounded the medieval centre of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande.

Attractions nearby

The region around Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, to the west of the Dordogne and east of Bordeaux, is a region of vineyards and quiet countryside.

We strongly recommend a visit to the world heritage site of Saint-Emilion from here, and Sainte-Foy-la-Grande is also well placed to explore the quiet Dropt valley.

Photos of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Sainte-Foy-la-Grande: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Suggested places to visit near Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Bergerac 21km; Monsegur 24km; Eymet 24km; Allemans-du-Dropt 24km; Miramont-de-Guyenne 29km; Sauveterre-de-Guyenne 29km; Saint-Emilion 30km; Lauzun 30km; Issigeac 33km; La Reole 34km; Castillonnes 36km; Libourne 37km; Abbey de la Sauve-Majeure 43km; Beaumont-du-Perigord 44km; Riberac 46km; Villereal 47km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Sainte-Foy-la-Grande

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardins du Sardy - remarkable garden (9km) : Parc et potager de Pouthet - remarkable garden (24km) : Jardins du château de Montréal - remarkable garden (27km) : Eglise de Saint Pierre (Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps) - religious monument (27km) : Collégiale et chapelle de la Trinité (Saint-Emilion) - religious monument (30km) : Jardins de Beauchamp - remarkable garden (37km) : Jardin du cloître Notre-Dame - remarkable garden (37km) : Jardins du château de Vayres - remarkable garden (42km) :

French version: see Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (Francais)