Thiviers combines protected architectural heritage with trails through a green, hilly landscape. The different ways to discover the town and its surroundings include a themed trail, the VĂ©zelay Way of the Camino de Santiago, and the Flow VĂ©lo cycle route. Faience, crafts and seasonal markets complete the picture. When planning, it is worth checking the relevant arrangements: some visits take place on Saturdays, others by appointment or in winter.
Rolling countryside in the PĂ©rigord-Limousin
Thiviers sits on a hill 276 metres above a green, hilly landscape. The Isle and CĂ´le rivers run through the valleys. As the southern gateway to the PĂ©rigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, the town combines a clearly defined location with a variety of nature and cultural experiences in the Thiviers area. Its network of trails covers around 400 kilometres, passing through areas where you can discover local fauna, flora and cultural heritage. The total may change slightly as updates are made.
Church, faience and crafts
The Notre-Dame Church dates back to the 12th century and has been listed as a historic monument since 15 November 1926. Two of its capitals depict monsters devouring people. This unusual decoration is one distinctive detail of the church, alongside its long architectural history. Thiviers’ historic heritage thus ranges from medieval architecture to more recent local craft history.
On Saturdays, the Salle des Faïences in the town hall displays around 100 pieces from Thiviers’ faience production free of charge. An interactive video explains the production technique and the history of the faience factories. Check opening arrangements before visiting. La Tour des Arts offers another way to discover local crafts: the shop is also an association that promotes artists from the Thiviers area and their authentic, one-of-a-kind craft creations. Check opening arrangements in advance of your visit.
On foot: themed trail and Camino de Santiago
The five-kilometre Sentier du Parc aux PrĂŞles offers insights into 19th-century Thiviers as well as its fauna, flora and geology. The history of the Theulier family is another of its themes. These specific historical and natural-history highlights set this trail apart from the longer hiking options in the Thiviers area.
Thiviers also lies on the Vézelay Way of the Camino de Santiago, designated GR 654. If you are looking for a shorter themed activity rather than a pilgrimage route, Thiviers offers the treasure hunt “Les cloches sonnent, sonnent!”: the aim is to find Zouti. Check in advance whether the route is available. The two activities have different focuses: a pilgrimage route on the one hand, and a search with a specific named goal on the other.
Cycling the Flow VĂ©lo
The Flow Vélo is a national cycle route: stretching over 290 kilometres, it connects Thiviers in the Dordogne with Île d’Aix in Charente-Maritime. Thiviers is the first stage of the Flow Vélo towards Nontron. The route and distance may be revised; bear this in mind when planning and check the latest route information.
La Maison du VĂ©lo Thiviers is located at the start of the Flow VĂ©lo, near the Thiviers tourist office. It has a covered bicycle parking area, a water point, luggage lockers, and a bicycle repair and maintenance kit. If you plan to use any of these facilities, check their current status before travelling, as visitor amenities can change.
Regional produce and seasonal events
Visits to the Ferme des Ages are available by appointment; free visits with a tasting are also offered to individual visitors. The farm sells organically grown field vegetables and walnuts directly from its shop. The products on offer may vary, and you should confirm visit arrangements before travelling.
Thiviers’ winter markets focus on foie gras and truffles. This seasonal focus differs in timing from the Saturday faience exhibition and visits by appointment. If you want to plan your stay around a particular market or visit, check the relevant dates and arrangements in advance. This will help you match the different themes—architectural history, trails, crafts and regional produce—with the visiting opportunities that are actually available.
Discover more destinations: La Chapelle-Aubareil, Bertric-Burée, Léguillac-de-Cercles, Archignac, Saint-Félix-De-Reillac-Et-Mortemart, Festalemps, Nantheuil, Marsaneix.
For the main travel overview: Dordogne.
