Saint Cirq • Dordogne

SAINT CIRQ

This hamlet in a cool little valley has some typical, beautiful houses. A 17th century castle, a 17th century manor house set among the trees, another 19th century manor house and fortified houses such as le Clauzel.

St Cirq is on the right bank of the Vézère at the foot of a huge cliff covered by Holm oaks and junipers. This cliff with its surprising growth of bamboo, shelters a prehistoric cave, the Grotte du Sorcier which is decorated with dozens of engravings dating from 13,000 BC amongst which is a beautiful representation of a dappled stallion and a male figure. This engraving is the first to represent Magdelanian man and is one of the best cave paintings of the human form. The cave is open to visitors.