When most visitors think of the Dordogne, they picture world-famous prehistoric caves, medieval bastide towns, and impressive castles. But beyond these headline attractions, the region is dotted with smaller heritage sites that reveal fascinating stories of the past. A unique piece of this local patrimoine is Le Puits Gavaches in Fonroque, just a short drive from Eymet.

At the end of the Hundred Years’ War, the southwest of France was left devastated—its population reduced and farmland abandoned. To restore the region, new labourers arrived from northern France. Locals called them les gavaches, a term borrowed from Spanish, meaning “foreigner” or “person of little importance.”

Despite the dismissive name, the gavaches contributed significantly to Dordogne’s heritage. They introduced traditions that still endure today:

• Building stone-domed wells (puits gavaches), an architectural style unique to this area of southwest France.
• Cultivating asparagus, which became part of local agriculture.

Their influence spread across the southern Dordogne and neighbouring Lot-et-Garonne, leaving cultural traces that remain centuries later.

One of the best-preserved examples of this heritage can be found in Fonroque, a charming village in southern Dordogne. In a private garden stands a striking stone-domed well, known as Le Puits Gavaches.

So important is this site that a street in the village bears its name: Rue du Puits Gavaches. While small in scale compared to a château or the caves of Lascaux, this well is a powerful reminder of the resilience and adaptability of local communities during a turbulent chapter in French history.

Visiting lesser-known heritage sites in the Dordogne, such as Le Puits Gavaches, offers travelers a deeper connection to the region. These places tell human stories of survival, migration, and cultural blending—all of which shaped the Dordogne’s identity.

So, when exploring southwest France, don’t just stop at the big cultural landmarks. Take the time to wander through small villages like Fonroque and Eymet, where hidden gems like Le Puits Gavaches reveal the Dordogne’s quiet but enduring legacy.

If you enjoyed reading about Le Puits Gavaches, you may be interested in reading about other places in the Dordogne in my book, My Dordogne Life, available on Amazon.