There’s something enchanting about strolling through a medieval town at night, the warm glow of torches lighting up half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. In the heart of the Dordogne, the charming bastide of Eymet brings this magic to life every summer with its torch-lit evening parade, known locally as “Visite de la bastide aux flambeaux”.

Founded in 1270, Eymet is one of the most beautiful bastide towns in southwest France. By day, it’s bustling with markets and lively terraces, but when night falls, the atmosphere transforms. Imagine joining a group of locals and visitors, each holding a lampion or torch, and following a guide who shares stories of medieval life, wars of religion, and the secrets behind those honey-coloured stone façades.

There’s a reason this event is a favourite among locals and travellers alike. The torch-lit glow casts a new light, literally, on Eymet’s medieval streets. It’s a moment to slow down, soak up the history, and experience the Dordogne in the most atmospheric way possible.

If you would like to read more about Eymet as well as other beautiful towns in the Dordogne, many of them feature in my book, My Dordogne Life, available on Amazon.