In 1967, three Merovingian burials were discovered in Léguillac-de-l'Auche, including two sarcophagi. The year refers to the time of the discovery; the graves themselves are attributed to the Merovingian period. These archaeological traces provide the starting point for a multifaceted look at the town: religious buildings, former sites, châteaux from various construction periods, a protected area and a spring that flows all year round each add their own character. An easy circular trail adds a clearly defined outdoor activity to the cultural themes.

Cultural History and Buildings

At the Prieuré de La Faye, heritage protection covers the buildings in their entirety, the park with its perimeter wall, the courtyard and the associated grounds. The protection therefore applies to the entire named site, not just the buildings.

The Château de La Faye is privately owned. It originated as an Augustinian priory built by five brothers in 1209; it was expanded and altered between the 13th and 18th centuries. Its chronology distinguishes between its origins and later changes: 1209 marks the beginning, while the following centuries saw further construction phases.

At the Château du But, two sections of the building dating from the 15th and 16th centuries are joined at right angles; an addition dates from the 17th century. This château is also privately owned. The Église Saint-Cloud provides another chronological and architectural point of reference: the church is Neo-Romanesque and dates from the 19th century.

The remains of a motte-and-bailey castle dating from before the 10th century have been preserved at La Redoute. This places it earlier than the founding of the Augustinian priory in 1209. Léguillac-de-l'Auche thus brings together historic landmarks from different periods, from an early fortified site to buildings from later centuries.

The sculpture “Miss L'Auche Ness” offers another cultural perspective: it depicts a goose playing the bagpipes and was created by Didier Teyssèdre. It is also associated with the town twinning with Letham in Scotland. Its subject, artist and connection to the twinning each give the work its own link to the town.

Protected Area and Spring

The Site du But in Léguillac-de-l'Auche is a registered protected area. La Font de l'Auche is a Vaucluse spring that flows all year round. Its year-round flow is a tangible natural feature that is not limited to a particular season. The protected area and the spring represent different aspects of the landscape: a registered protected status and a natural feature that flows continuously.

The Sentier de La Faye à Léguillac Circular Trail

The Sentier de La Faye à Léguillac is an easy circular walking trail, six kilometres long. It is marked in yellow and is listed as taking one to two hours. The distance and time estimate provide different planning information: the distance describes the route, while the stated duration indicates the time needed to complete the circular trail. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The circular trail starts at the car park below the church in Léguillac-de-l'Auche. Halfway along the route is the hamlet of La Font de l'Auche, which serves as a rest stop. This provides a specific starting point and a break along the way. If you would like to plan a pause, you can use the hamlet as a stopping point; the easy rating, yellow markings and stated duration also help you assess the circular trail as an activity in its own right.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Léguillac-de-l'Auche, you can start by deciding what to focus on: are you more interested in the history of the buildings and archaeological finds, or would you like to include the easy circular trail? The historical themes and the stated walking time offer different ways to tailor your stay to your interests.

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