Built under the escarpments, this refuge juts out from the rock into which it has been dug and conceals huge rock shelters that have witnessed some interesting events of our civilisation for more than 20,000 years.

Vastly larger than one could imagine from the outside, the façade conceals some impressive underground and overhead rooms, such as the great main hall, the armory, dining hall, living quarters, kitchen, bedrooms, chapel, prison cell, dungeon, wine cellar.

In addition to its natural protection, this fortification exhibits many elements of defence : bretèche, murder-hole, cannons, loopholes.
A source of great historical interest, it served for the past 50 years for purposes of scientific and archaeological research. You will be the first to visit this site which has been jealously closed to the public until now.
This showcase of our heritage presents some genuine artefacts from prehistoric times discovered on the premises.

Opening Dates and Times
Open every day from 1st March to 11 November
March, April, October, mi-November : 10am to 6pm
May, June, September : 10am to 7pm
July, August : 10am to 8pm

La Maison Forte de Reignac

24620 Tursac
Tél. 05 53 50 70 45 – Fax 05 53 51 03 21
www.maison-forte-reignac.com
info@maison-forte-reignac.com

Les Papillons is just 30 minutes drive from Forte de Reignac

The town’s history is tied into that of the abbey. Around 620 AD, a hermit named Cyprien settled in a cave that overlooked the Dordogne valley. Others gathered around him and a monastic community grew up. Barbarian invasions in the mid-9th century made the monks build defensive ramparts, of which the belltower-keep survives.

In 1076 the monastery, now an Augustine body, was doing so well that Bertrand de Got, archbishop of Bordeaux and later Pope Clement V, took it under his wing.

In the Hundred Years’ War, St Cyprien suffered from its exposed border position between Eleanor’s Aquitaine and the Kingdom of France.

In 1568, during the Wars of Religion, Calvinist troops burned the priory to the ground, but the monastery was rebuilt in 1685. Declared a “national asset”, in April 1791 it was sold to the town for 8,125 francs and renamed “Temple of Reason dedicated to the Supreme Being”.

In 1871 the state tobacco monopoly knocked down the cloister, closed off the inner doors, and turned the place into a warehouse.

Every summer the St Cyprien tourist office receives over 10,000 visitors. Located in the village centre, it is open all year round.Place Charles de Gaulle 24220 Saint Cyprien

Opening hours

1 November to 28 Febuary
Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 12:30, 3 to 6pm Except wednesday afternoon

1 March to 31 October
Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 12:30, 3 to 6pm Sunday 10 to 12am

15 May to 30 September
Monday to Friday 9:30 to 12:30, 3 to 6pm Sunday 10 to 12am

Les Papillons is just 10 minutes drive from St. Cyprien

To get directions to Les Papillons, just click on the “marker” on the map and fill out the details.

By Car
Les Papillons is easily reached by car, take the auto route A20 south and exit at junction N° 55 direction Souillac at Souillac follow signs for Sarlat. From Sarlat you want signs for Beynac and La Roque-Gageac on the Bergerac road out of Sarlat – Vézac is the community in which we live and you will see nothing more than the Mairie and School on the right hand side of the road [ignore the sign to the left for La Roque-Gageac] – continue on this road until you get to the narrow railway bridge where the road divides [under the bridge to Beynac]- [do not go under this bridge] and take the road to the left signed to La Roque-Gageac and Castelnaud la Chapelle – take this left turn and Les Papillons is just after the bend 200 mts from the railway bridge junction – we are on the right hand side [green shutters] – [and a very warm welcome]
Please note when you get near to Les Papillons, directional signs can be seen at all the local road junctions.

By Train
From Paris ‘Gare de Austerlitz’ there are trains to Souillac on the line Paris to Toulouse or to Bordeaux, if you take the train to Libourne which is close to Bourdeaux you can get a connection to Sarlat Station (you will need to arrange car hire to get you from these stations to Les Papillons)

By Air
Our nearest Airport is Bergerac (1 hours drive away) you will also find flights to Bordeaux (3 hours drive away) Toulouse (3 hours drive) Limoges (3 hours drive)

Car Rental
There is very little public transport here so it is highly recommended that you hire a car in order to get around and see the sights, all the airports have car hire facilities and you may get a good price offer of fly and drive when booking your air ticket.