The Argentine Plateau Discovery Trail

Today we are going for a short hike to do in all seasons, on the Plateau d'Argentine . We are staying in Périgord, but we are going to meet a particular fauna and flora on this Natura 2000 classified site on the edge of Charente. Bring your walking shoes and a picnic, we are going for 6km!

Photos from the article: Périgord Guide

The Argentine Limestone Plateau

Located in Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine, here we are northwest of Mareuil , a few hundred meters from the Charente! We are straddling the Périgord Blanc and Vert, on the edge of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park . It is a limestone plateau, quite exposed (so choose a windless day so as not to be ruffled for a good part of the walk). This Natura 2000 classified site (i.e. protected for the preservation of its fauna and flora, its natural environment) is an old limestone quarry. On the plateau, one of the signs also suggests that an old Roman road might be present, we deduce this from the alignment of certain very old stones and the ground strewn with crushed pebbles, as if to facilitate the passage of means of transport!

There are several trails, we did a loop of about 5 km ( there are longer ones). Take your binoculars to observe the birds (European Nightjar, Red-backed Shrike) and walk with your eyes fixed on the ground to spot lizards and other small fauna. Wild orchids bloom in spring and dot the ground in a poetic way. There are also colorful expanses of heather.

The departure point is at the Plateau d'Argentine car park and it is possible to obtain a discovery booklet for the route from the PNR. Signs mark the walk if you do not have one. The Périgord Dronne Belle Tourist Office manages the area. We enjoyed this hike for its originality, we recommend that you do it on a day when it is not too hot because it is not very shaded. Be sure to stay on the path to preserve the natural environment. You will also notice that the vegetation remains quite stocky and low on the plateau. This is due to the poor soil and limestone, but also to the climatic conditions favoring strong and stocky plants.

What to do after the hike?

The region is ideal for many walks and visits to pretty villages:

• La Tour Blanche-Cercles is a nearby village to discover for its milling heritage. It has a very pretty restored windmill.
• Nearby, visit the Vendoire Peat Bogs , another nature site, but in a completely different environment. Damp and with peat!
• Another trail for walkers, the Sentier des Meulières near Brantôme , to learn more about the millstones made in the region and admire an astonishing landscape.
• Since you are in Brantome, take a tour of the village which is charming with its abbey on the banks of the Dronne, it is said to be the Venice of the Périgord Vert!

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