The troglodyte village of La Madeleine in Périgord Noir
The troglodyte village of La Madeleine in Périgord Noir
942 m - Tursac
Familiale
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English
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La Madeleine is a troglodyte village, with sumptuous shelters under rocks in the middle of nature, which is located in Tursac, on the road between Montignac-Lascaux and Les Eyzies. On the road to prehistory, in the Vézère valley (the valley of Man), La Madeleine is a site of great importance which directly refers to the period of Magdalenian history. Come and visit this friendly village, absolutely unique in the region, which allows you to project yourself at different times in the life of this foot of the cliff, occupied by humanity for no less than 17,000 years!
Visit the Madeleine website
We can only recommend the guided tour, although the site can also be discovered on a self-guided tour (with audioguide), which will be punctuated by very clear and educational interpretation panels. Open from march to november, the village of La Madeleine is a delight in all seasons, since it changes according to the color of the vegetation and the light. It's a very pleasant family walk that awaits you, be sure to devote at least a good half-day to it, or even more if you take the picnic with you.
The visit begins with sumptuous views of a bend in the Vézère, overlooking this part of the Valley. In summer, you will have the pleasure of seeing canoes circulating there. After passing through a wooded environment, you arrive at the foot of the cliff and the visit is linear. We discover shelters reconstituted with different period materials. Some are semi-troglodytic (i.e. leaning against the cliff), others are troglodytic, i.e. they take advantage of the natural crevice created by erosion in this limestone rock. , to become habitats. It's not just an exhibition or a chance re-enactment. La Madeleine is a real educational site, the museography will allow you to fully understand the uses, customs, trades, activities, habitat, food conservation... at different times of occupation. We particularly like the grandiose banal oven, a room all by itself, which was used to bake the bread of the Lord of the place and his villagers. Lord? Yes, because you will see an old castle (the fortified castle of Petit Marzac) in ruins, about halfway through the visit. There was a strong occupation of the site in the Middle Ages, it was a small town with all the defensive paraphernalia and all the amenities necessary to cultivate, raise and support everyone within the place.The Peasant Farm
Speaking of livestock and agriculture, continue your visit to the village with a visit to a new place that emerged two years ago: Les Paysans de la Madeleine. The site as a whole is managed by the Hamelin family. Charles and Louis develop the troglodyte village and Marie, Louis' sister, updated this ambitious and very complementary project of a peasant farm. All together, they bring to life the traditions of the former inhabitants of the Madeleine, which do not go back so long, since many locals remember having had a good time during their childhood, working, playing or exploring the Madeleine and surroundings.
Transmitting and nurturing is the vocation of the place. Inform, show, taste, touch and see… Farm animals, a garden with medicinal plants, homemade bread, good simple meals inspired by nature… Also come and take part in workshops and events in season, as well as Bal Trad-type evenings or the Festival of Ancient Crafts, organized in the summer. New "nature" activities are offered such as animal tracking and cosmetic care workshops with plants from the medicinal garden. This summer, your children will also be able to learn about the first steps in the trade of blacksmithing and strapping. An exhibition of photos and objects and tools of agriculture is in place in a tobacco barn, a real immersion in the past of the site.
Very nice visits in perspective, at the site of the Madeleine!
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La Madeleine is a troglodyte village, with sumptuous shelters under rocks in the middle of nature, which is located in Tursac, on the road between Montignac-Lascaux and Les Eyzies. On the road to prehistory, in the Vézère valley (the valley of Man), La Madeleine is a site of great importance which directly refers to the period of Magdalenian history. Come and visit this friendly village, absolutely unique in the region, which allows you to project yourself at different times in the life of this foot of the cliff, occupied by humanity for no less than 17,000 years!
- Français
