As a travel destination, Pellegrue brings together several themes: pilgrimage history, the historic bastide, and landscape trails through forests and vineyard slopes. This gives you several different points of interest to consider when planning your trip: architecture, nature, and seasonal birdwatching. Choose whether you want your stay to focus more on the pilgrimage route, the historic townscape, or the landscape.
Bastide and Saint-André Parish Church
The historic bastide of Pellegrue has a traditional orthogonal layout. The square is surrounded by buildings, including the town hall. The right-angled grid and the enclosed square are two distinct features of the design: planned order and an enclosed open space. This offers a cultural and historical focus that differs from the scenery along the walking trails.
Saint-André Parish Church was first mentioned in 1082; the present church appears to date from the 12th century. Its portal has been listed in the French register of historic monuments since 1995. Archaeological investigations at the site attest to intensive use from antiquity to the present day, as well as a Merovingian necropolis containing at least 17 monolithic sarcophagi. Monolithic means that each sarcophagus was carved from a single stone. The archaeological findings thus add a long history of site use to the history of the church building.
Pilgrimage Route, Walking Trails and Landscape
The Voie de Vézelay runs through the eastern part of the Gironde département from Sainte-Foy-la-Grande to Pellegrue. The Circuit du Pin Franc is a 7-kilometre circular walking trail in the commune. If you are looking for a clearly defined walking option, this trail is one possibility; check its trail conditions before setting out.
The Boucle du Bois Bourru passes through forests and over slopes where vines now grow. The woodland and vineyard slopes provide a distinct landscape in contrast to the regular layout of the bastide. You can therefore choose from several different focuses for your visit: the pilgrimage route, local walking trails, or the historic townscape.
During migration, cranes fly over Pellegrue and stop overnight in the surrounding area. If you are interested in migratory birds, you can take this seasonal aspect into account when planning your trip. A sighting is not guaranteed.
Pilgrims’ Hostel and Weekly Market
Since 2003, the municipal pilgrims’ hostel has been located in the centre of the bastide, above the tourist office. It is open from Easter to All Saints’ Day; reservations are handled through the town hall. Check opening and reservation details with the town hall before travelling, as facilities and booking procedures may change.
In July 2025, Pellegrue received the “Commune-halte chemins de Compostelle” label from the Agence française des chemins de Compostelle for three years. For travel after July 2028, the status should be checked again. The label and the hostel offer two distinct points of connection to the pilgrimage: a time-limited distinction and a municipal accommodation facility that opens seasonally.
Wednesday may also influence your choice of day to visit: the old weekly market is still held on Wednesdays. Check current market hours separately. For travellers interested in the market, Wednesday is therefore a specific point to consider when planning the day.
Discover more destinations: Mérignac, Eyrans, Sainte-Gemme, Saint-Sauveur, Fronsac, Marcillac, Audenge, Sainte-Eulalie
For the broader travel overview: Gironde.
