The nocturnal village of Bournat

An evening in an amusement park in Périgord Noir , that tells you? If in addition, we take you back in time, to the early 1900s ? With period rides , music groups throughout the park, a convivial and unlimited country meal , rides for young and old, a funfair , a show , a fireworks display !! Yes, it's possible, these are the Nocturnes du Parc le Bournat in Bugue , in Dordogne of course!

A unique park in France, unique

Paul-Jean Souriau , engineer resident in Paris in love with Périgord, likes to collect objects dating from the early 1900s . It is he who is at the origin of this absolutely new project, to reconstruct a French village to exhibit its collections, share them and offer everyone the joy of admiring this precious and long accumulation of artifacts from the past. Paul-Jean works for years, day and night, in the development of the park: he increases his collection of objects to more than 10,000 pieces and adds agricultural machinery , rides , furniture , entire workshops , buildings ! He meets craftsmen and elders to understand the usefulness and the function of each utensil. He found the land and landscaped it like a real village with a school , a bread oven , a vegetable patch , a mill , a chapel ... In 1992 , the Bournat opened its doors !!

The entrance to Bournat

Old cars and agricultural machine

The great strength and ingenuity of this park is its fun and educational side . It's not just a village museum, it's also a huge living funfair ! The vintage rides have been recovered, rehabilitated and they really work , to transport fun, young and old! Over the years, the park expands , to welcome new rides, a pond with boat rides , farm animals , a brewery ... Each year, real craftsmen of ancient trades animate the park at with the help of more than 70 seasonal workers, music groups and street artists . A day at Bournat is a trip like no other , an exquisite and sweet celebration on every street corner, where we forget all the hassles of everyday life.

To learn more about the birth of the park, read the moving article on the Bournat website

Le Bournat is a fun party!

On the 7 ha of park, there are all the attractions of a real small village, here the mill which is the only "modern" element of the village, because it was not possible to find a real one. era, so it was rebuilt identically

The boats on the pond, you can walk on the canals!

Le Bournat Park, from day to night…

During the day, the Bournat is a treat for the whole family . It is shaded, cheerful, the rides are all more attractive than each other. Children are enthusiastic , they can run safely (the park is on an enclosed space) and no longer know where to head: fun fair with traditional games , old rides and attractions such as flying chairs , boats , horses galloping , the big wheel , the caterpillar , the rickshaw ! Machines from the agricultural world, ice cream stands, cotton candy , animals to discover and pet… Plan the whole day , bring a picnic or indulge in on-site catering : Restaurant Chez Paul, catering quick, tasting boards or a snacking area. The parking lot is large, free and right next to the park.

Kids love the rides

Small cars and big boats

With the family on certain rides, parents accompany the little ones

1 to 2 evenings a week in July and August, the Bournat remains open all evening … As soon as the sun goes down on the horizon , the shadows stretch, the atmosphere changes: lanterns , candles and lights multicolored taverns are lit, the beneficial sweetness of a summer evening is felt ... A melody rises! Jazz, traditional music groups , bandas and brass bands roam the park, it's party time!

Of course, the rides are still running. With nightfall, the atmosphere is charming: jets of light spin, at the same time as legs rise and heads and bodies twirl! Look at the Ferris wheel ! She is magnified by the sunset, her loupiottes no longer form but light streaks, when she starts. Admire the panorama of the park with the pink evening air.

As soon as night falls, the park takes on a very poetic appearance

The rides remain open, here the flying chairs, a treat of tender chills

The view from the Ferris wheel

Some are apprehensive, others are in a hurry, but the Bournat rides are mainly fun, not danger or fear!

The funfair and its skill games for young and old

Unlimited party buffet and other delights!

Come with your family to the Bournat nights , but also come with friends to party , in a tavern atmosphere or restaurant of yesteryear! Chez Paul (at the entrance to the park) is the meeting point for gourmets . It's a real treat waiting for you, 100% at will (if you opt for this formula)! Watch the ham cooked with string over a wood fire which finishes browning… It will be accompanied by a starter of Périgordin pâté with a touch of foie gras and its gourmet salad, for dessert a nut tart. To sprinkle all this, go and use (in moderation) a good glass of Périgord wine or fruit juice for the children. The music group is here! We dine to the sound of a jazzy group or the sweet voice of a singer . Children improvise dance steps on the stage, soon joined by grandparents who remember the evenings of yesteryear . Friendly, festive, inimitable atmosphere! Other catering options are also possible throughout the park and all evening long, if you prefer to eat on the go or lighter: La halle aux gastronomes , l'Encas périgourdin , la Roulotte gourmande . Beer lovers, do not miss the tasting of Bournat beer, brewed on site with a traditional method. It is delicious and you can bring bottles of it home.

Admire the beauty of the restaurant and its lights

The party is in full swing!

We quench our thirst and hunger, as it should. Here, the ham with the string, braised on the wood fire

A hearty meal, like the good old days!

Discover the Brasserie du Bournat

A delicious beer to share with lovers of authentic beverages

There are other places to eat, all over the park

Strolls and festivities, spectacle and fireworks!

Walk around the park all evening, see the craftsmen who present old trades : turning wood , working leather , glass , pottery, flour milling ... Take a picture of yourself on tractors , in the old car or treat yourself to an old-fashioned portrait (you need to book in advance). Visit the mill , the chapel , go see the baker , the cutler , the walnut oil mill .

In the streets, artists wander, as well as pigs with their master Hervé, horses for horse - drawn carriage rides, ducks! You will not be bored, for sure, the evening will pass so quickly ...

The baker makes his sourdough bread. You can buy it!

Le Couteau du Bournat, a nice gift to give or to treat yourself

Admire the creation by the cutler

The glass spinner, precision work, impressive to observe. You can order a glass object or buy one of those that she has just made

A film presents the tools and the work of the blacksmith

The exhibition space of old toys from the collection of Mr Paul-Jean Souriau

Buy a leather strap with your name at the leather goods store

Choose the color, the patterns and he takes care of everything

An old and disproportionate machine!

Take your picture!

Music at Chez Paul restaurant

A traveling band / bandas

We will have fun !

Around 11:30 p.m., sit in the grass, in front of the mill and on the benches. A show will be presented to you, with light projections on the wings of the mill. It's grand , poetic and impressive ! To end this wonderful evening, fireworks will be fired, sheaves of multicolored fire will explode and explode, the eyes of children will fill with this spectacle which will remain forever engraved in their memory. One of the best memories of your Dordogne vacation, I promise!

Get comfortable

Let the show begin, to end the day in style!

Find out more

The Parc du Bournat website
The fact sheet of Parc le Bournat on the Guide to Périgord

Some details for the 2020 season:

Le Bournat is open from July 4 to August 30. 10 am-7pm. 7 days a week
The windmill will unfortunately not be open this season.

Date of the Nocturnes:

July 8, 15, 22, 29, 30 and potentially July 14. As well as August 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
New show at 10:30 pm "the company of red noses" followed by fireworks. Show "the bark of a memory" (shadow puppets, mime)
Closure of the rides and artisans at 10 p.m. Park closes at 11:30 p.m.