Just 9 km east of Montignac, nestled in a green valley, lies Saint-Amand-de-Coly, one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. It’s a place where time seems to linger in the honey-coloured stone, and history whispers through every lauze-roofed house.

The village owes its name to Saint Amand, a hermit who, in the 6th century, retreated to the Coly Valley to live a life of solitude and prayer, eventually attracting followers. His presence marked the beginning of a spiritual heritage that would shape the village for centuries.

By the 12th century, Augustinian monks began building the imposing abbey that still dominates the village skyline today. This ambitious project brought prosperity, turning Saint-Amand-de-Coly into a thriving religious centre.

The good times, however, were not to last. During the Hundred Years’ War, the abbey suffered extensive damage. When peace returned, it was restored and fortified – a practical necessity in a region that knew all too well the ravages of conflict.

Today, the abbey church stands as the most beautiful fortified church in the Périgord, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Its massive stone walls, 30-meter-high bell tower, and monumental archway give it an austere yet majestic presence. Step inside, and you’ll find an interior that feels both solemn and serene, with light filtering softly through narrow windows.

The village itself is tiny, but its charm lies in the details: steep, stone-paved lanes, houses capped with lauze roofs, heavy slabs of limestone that shimmer silver in the sun, and flower-filled gardens tucked between ancient walls. It’s the kind of place where you want to slow down, listen to the church bells, and simply breathe in the quiet beauty.

If you would like to read more about other places in the Dordogne, you may be interested in my book, My Dordogne Life, available on Amazon.