Urval combines a distinctive medieval heritage with hiking opportunities in a hilly, forested landscape. This brings two different perspectives to the forefront when planning your trip: the history of the town’s buildings and walking routes. Cultural activities at the church and a recurring bread-baking tradition at the communal oven also provide a specific reason to visit during village festivals. The topics range from local history to events, whose dates you can take into account when planning.
Urval lies in the south of the Dordogne département, west of the Périgord Noir and between the river and the Bessède forest. The area is hilly and forested, with numerous clearings shaping the landscape.
Church and medieval town centre
The main construction phases of Urval’s church date from the 12th and 13th centuries; it was later listed as a Monument historique by decree of 9 June 1926. The building combines religious and defensive architecture: above the nave is a square tower with loopholes; the raised end of the choir also served to fortify the church. Urval’s historic town centre forms a rare, well-preserved ensemble of medieval structures.
The church is also associated with religious and cultural activities such as concerts, exhibitions and talks. Individual programmes may vary.
The communal oven and bread-baking
Urval’s communal oven is a very rare example of medieval rural architecture. The oven dates from the 14th century and was listed as a Monument historique in 1941. It is used two or three times a year during village festivals, particularly for the European Heritage Days. Visitors can watch bread being baked there and then buy some. Specific festival dates may vary; check them if you would like to include the baking in your travel plans.
In chronological terms, the church’s main construction phases date from the 12th and 13th centuries, while the communal oven dates from the 14th century. The later listings as Monuments historiques took place in 1926 for the church and 1941 for the oven. Thus, the building history and the later protection dates are distinct points in time.
Signposted circular routes and long-distance trail
There are two signposted PDIPR circular hiking routes in the Urval area. One of these routes won the “Les 10 plus beaux sentiers du Périgord” award in 2024.
The Chemin d’Amadour long-distance trail (GR81) connects Soulac-sur-Mer with Rocamadour, is 500 km long and consists of 21 stages. During an earlier lunch break on the Cadouin–Belvès stage of the Chemin d’Amadour, hikers stopped in Urval. The two local circular routes and the long-distance trail represent different scales: the figures of 500 km and 21 stages refer to the GR81 as a whole.
Discover more destinations: Monmarvès, La Gonterie-Boulouneix, Limeuil, Saint-Jory-De-Chalais, Saint-Séverin-D'estissac, Monsaguel, Les Eyzies-De-Tayac-Sireuil, Castelnaud-La-Chapelle.
For the main travel overview: Dordogne.
