Discovering the fortified town of Saint-Aulaye

Saint Aulaye
Culture and Heritage

It's the only bastide town in the Périgord Vert ! Founded in 1288, Saint-Aulaye-Puymangou is a charming town on the banks of the Dronne (and the Rizonne !) rivers, offering a wealth of attractions for holidays or a day out. Bordering the Charente region, not far from Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, it's a peaceful village where life is good, whether relaxing on the terrace of its central café or strolling through its charming narrow streets. The Dronne Belle Community of Municipalities manages the Saint-Aulaye area.

A favorite pick from the Lot-et-Garonne Guide: the 3-star Dordogne Verte Campground on the riverbank! Located less than 10 minutes from Saint-Aulaye-Puymangou, this campground is a true haven of peace surrounded by nature and greenery—perfect for a vacation with family or friends. Both tent sites and air-conditioned mobile homes are available for you to settle in before enjoying the large water park (slides, heated pool, and wading pool), the bar for a drink, or the restaurant to savor local specialties. With its blend of nature, entertainment, activities, relaxation, and recreation, the 3-star Dordogne Verte Campground offers the perfect opportunity for a unique vacation.

A stroll through Saint-Aulaye

Saint-Aulaye is a bastide, meaning a new town, built according to a grid plan with a central square. Bastides are medieval towns also designed to facilitate trade and growth. The weekly market takes place on Saturday mornings in Saint-Aulaye, and it's an excellent time to visit the bastide and reconnect with its commercial past!

To explore the town, we recommend following the Discovery Trail, which can be found on the town hall website and at the Tourist Office, but can also be enjoyed simply by walking. Just follow the signs with Sir Fox !

The Gallo-Roman and Merovingian origins of Sancta Eulalia (its original name) are attested near the Dronne and Rizonne rivers, both of which flow through the town before converging at the leisure park. One of the town's strengths is its fish population, which provides sustenance for the local people. Mills also thrived on the rivers, grinding flour and producing walnut oil. The river also allowed for the cultivation of rushes for basketry (thanks to its water for irrigation), the processing of hemp for weaving, and the development of a tannery. It is worth noting that one of the mills, equipped with a turbine in 1895, is still in operation!

Campsite la Dordogne Verte

Campsites, Mobil Homes
Saint Aulaye

A green setting on the banks of the Dronne river, perfect for recharging your batteries.

590 m

Domaine de La Vallade

Gite & Holiday Rental
Saint Aulaye

Fully equipped gîtes in the Dordogne in Saint-Aulaye-Puymangou

1,0 km

Camping de La Dronne

Campsites, Mobil Homes
Ribérac

Campsite in a preserved natural setting on the banks of the Dronne river

17,0 km

Learn more about the Dronne.

The Church of Sainte-Eulalie is a remarkable part of the village's heritage ; it dates from the 12^th century, predating the founding of the bastide. Its Romanesque façade is reminiscent of the style of the neighboring Saintonge region.

We continue towards the castle perched on the hill, which also predates the town's foundation. Dating from the 10^th century, it was remodeled, notably in the 19^th century with neoclassical additions. It is a castle with a medieval appearance, bearing the marks of time and the town's development; a road has even cut through its walls. Today, it belongs to the town, and part of its main building houses the Town Hall.

Continuing the tour you will see the old fortification system, the city walls which remain imposing and protect the original castrum and the new town.

In summer, Saint-Aulaye comes alive with a leisure park located on the banks of the Dronne river. There is a good restaurant and inflatable games for children, slides and a swimming pool with a treetop adventure park and the possibility of renting canoes and kayaks to go down the Dronne.