Mouleydier’s houses are set on the hillside above the right bank of the Dordogne. The village’s medieval history, including the castle of La Castelle, and the waterways at Tuilières add to its appeal. For planning a trip, this makes for a mix of local history, riverside structures and routes to explore on foot, by bike or on the water. The highlights range from an event in 1375 to a Voie verte that has been open to pedestrians and cyclists since summer 2019. You can choose between a variety of historical and active pursuits.
La Castelle: Siege and Well
The medieval castle of La Castelle was besieged and destroyed by Du Guesclin in 1375 during the Hundred Years’ War. A square well is the only surviving trace of the fortress. The event and the surviving structure complement each other: the year places the castle’s history at a specific moment in the war, while the well preserves its connection to the fortress in a tangible object. Anyone interested in Mouleydier’s past will find a clear historical thread here, from the military event to the remaining relic.
Fish Weirs and Bridge over the Dordogne
Mouleydier’s former fish weirs are also part of the village’s history. They are believed to be unique in the Dordogne valley. A census dated 22 November 1794 documents the fish weirs and mentions Jean Delmas, known as “Carelle,” as a fisherman who worked in the caves. The exact date and the named fisherman give this account a different focus from the history of the castle: here, fishing takes center stage. The bridge over the Dordogne was built between 1840 and 1850, placing it in a much later era than the siege of La Castelle.
Canal, Locks and Water Engineering at Tuilières
The Dordogne side canal at Tuilières opened in 1844, allowing barges to avoid the shallow waters at Lalinde. The flight of locks at Tuilières extends over 289 metres and overcomes a height difference of 22 metres. These measurements provide two different ways to understand the scale of the structure. The Tuilières lock complex was listed as a historic monument by decree on 11 September 1996. The listing includes the junction basin, the upper and lower bridges, and the façades and roofs of the lock keepers’ houses upstream and downstream. The fish lift, built in 1989, has a viewing window. Together, these structures illustrate different aspects of the waterways: navigation, lock construction and the history of the site’s buildings.
Voies vertes and a Seasonal Boat Trip
The Véloroute, or Voie verte, from Bergerac to Lalinde follows the former towpath and has been open to pedestrians and cyclists since summer 2019. The V91 runs along the Canal de Lalinde from the Tuilières locks to Mauzac. These routes have different alignments and endpoints; check current route conditions when planning a trip.
A trip with Gabarres de Bergerac lasts an hour and a half and departs from the port of Creysse by reservation. It passes the village of Mouleydier, with its fish weirs, and continues to the port of Tuilières, with its seven-lock flight, fish lift and hydroelectric plant. The trip operates seasonally. Check current departure dates and book before planning your trip. Unlike the route information, this boat trip has a specific duration and requires a reservation—useful details when planning how to spend your time on the water.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierre-De-Côle, Lembras, Serres-et-Montguyard, Villefranche-Du-Périgord, Chenaud, Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, Fouleix, Berbiguières
For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.
