Le Bournat, The village, life, fun in 1900

Dordogne English News (Sud-Ouest / France)

Le Bournat is a reconstituted, Périgourdine village as it would have been in the 1900s and as soon as you walk in you can feel how time has stood still. All you need to do is let yourself become immersed in another world and enjoy it. A visit to the village provides a whole day’s entertainment for all the family with lots of hands-on things to see and do that will not only interest the adults, but capture the children’s attention too.

Among the many interesting things to see are the old lavoir, the forge, the photographer’s shop, a typical house built in the golden stone of the region, the quaint chapel, the farm, the Mairie and a real, working windmill, Le Moulin de Martigne.

Visitors can rediscover forgotten crafts as local craftsmen dressed in traditional costume demonstrate traditional skills of working with materials such as wood, earth and flour. There is a miller, baker, basket maker, glass blower, iron monger, rope maker, clog maker, wood turner, lace maker and potter. The wood-turning demonstration is particularly interesting for children as the craftsman shows how he makes traditional, wooden spinning tops.

In the shop situated at the end of the visit there are examples of the crafts demonstrated in the village. There is also a restaurant, Chez Paul, where you can enjoy meals and snacks made from local produce. A picnic area is also provided.

At the fairground children can enjoy old-fashioned fairground attractions, all for free, as many times as they like…swinging boats, a hall of mirrors and fishing for ducks.

There is even a fortune teller. And why not take the opportunity to have your photograph taken in traditional costume ?
  The last visit is 45 mins before closing time
  Restaurant on the terrace during the summer with music at lunchtime during July and August
  Open-air café on Tuesday evenings during July and August.
  Additional picnic area outside the village by the river
  Free parking
  Guided visits or visit at your leisure
  Themed days
  Narrated evening visits (reservations advised)
  Children’s workshops (reservations advised)
  Only parts of the fairground are open during the outer season
  Animals are permitted
  Tip : Next door is the aquarium du Périgord Noir

Opening times
  June and September - 10 am to 6 pm
  July and August - 10 am to 7 pm + until 11 pm on Tuesdays
  October and November - 10 am to 5 pm
  Closed on 11 November 2008.

Entrance fee :
  March - November Adults : 9.50 €, children (4-16 yrs) : 6 €
  July and August Adults : 14 €, children (4 - 16 yrs) : 10 €

Admission after 5 pm - Adults : 11 €, children (4 -1 6 yrs) : 8 €

Children under 4 yrs go free

Families (2 children) : 42 €, (3 children) : 49 € (July and August only)

For further information contact :

Le Bournat
Allée Jean-Paul Souriau
24260 Le Bugue
Tel : 05.53.08.41.99
Fax : 05.53.08.42.01
www.lebournat.fr
Le-village-du-bournat@wanadoo.fr
infos@lebournat.fr

Tags: tourism, Site seeing, dordogne, perigord