A preserved crypt in the choir of the Église de Saint-Astier and self-planned kayaking trips on the Isle offer very different ways to experience the town. Alongside water and activities on the trails, early church history, religious art and lime quarrying also shape what the town has to offer. When planning your trip, it is worth organising these themes around your preferred interests: the route details and ways to visit range from independently planned trips on the water to seasonal guided tours.
Water, walking and cycling
At the Petit Pré canoe and kayak centre, boats are available to rent for self-planned trips on the Isle. Routes range from 4 to 19 km. You can plan your trip freely within this range, making the distance a specific part of your planning. Check with the operator again before travelling to confirm reservations and arrangements.
The Boucle de Puyferrat is a 10 km walking route starting in Saint-Astier. After a somewhat steep ascent, it passes through pleasant stretches of shade. It is designated as a walking route; horse riding and mountain biking are also listed as activities. For comparison when planning: on the water, you can choose from a range of distances, while the Boucle is described as a walking route of a fixed length.
For cyclists, 6.5 km of the Véloroute Voie Verte run through Saint-Astier. The Bowstring pedestrian bridge connects the canal with Petit Pré and is for pedestrians and bicycles only.
Church, pilgrimage route and sacred art
The Église de Saint-Astier was built at the end of the 10th century and consecrated in the early 11th century. A crypt has been preserved in the choir to this day. The building thus brings together an early date of construction and a part of the church that still exists today. Saint-Astier is also still an important stop for pilgrims on the Vézelay Way to Santiago de Compostela. This pilgrimage connection offers another cultural perspective on the town alongside its architectural history.
The Exposition d'Art Sacré offers a different perspective, with unusual religious objects including a communion wafer iron, a ratchet, a penitential belt and a bourdalou. The unusual selection makes the exhibition a tangible way to explore sacred art. From mid-June to mid-September, the exhibition can be visited independently from Monday to Friday between 2 and 6 pm; booking an appointment in advance is preferred. Check seasonal opening times in advance. The church, exhibition and pilgrimage route thus offer different perspectives: early architectural history, religious objects and the town’s connection to pilgrimage.
A glimpse into lime quarrying
At Chaux de Saint-Astier, the focus is on guided tours of an underground quarry almost 20 metres below ground. During the tour, visitors learn about the production and use of natural hydraulic lime. Tours are seasonal and require a reservation; check the visiting arrangements again before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne, La Bachellerie, Sarrazac, Coubjours, Augignac, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Berbiguières, Gaugeac
Go to the main travel overview: Dordogne.
