The castle ramparts no longer defend the village from the English but it still dominates the valley on it's rocky outcrop. This town is not in many guide books. It is big oversight as it has a lot to offer.

I only discovered Salignac-Eyvigues by accident as it was on route to my Dordogne holiday villa from the motorway. We came around a bend in the road and then all of a sudden there was a fantastic view of the Salignac Chateau from the bottom of the valley.

You have to get out of your car to find the beauty of this town. Park in the main square and walk over to the tourist information building and pick up a map. If it is closed there is a town map outside which shows a suggested route. If you need the toilet there is one behind the tourist office. The route goes around the back of the square along the old medieval streets.

The true age of the buildings can be seen when you look at the rear of them and all the extensions that have been added on over the years. The front of the buildings have had fashionable face lifts but not the backs. Here you can piece together the true history of the building by analysing the different styles of building work. The road goes down to the Chateau. If you are physically fit walk down the footpath that follows the castle wall to the lower fields. You will be rewarded with a dramatic view of the cliff and castle.

On the way back up to the town square you pass some very attractive houses. It is a bit of a climb back up to where you have parked the car. At the top turn left and find the old sandstone covered market. Keep walking in that direction towards the large church tower. From there you will discover a good view point back towards the castle from the top of the plateau.

I really enjoyed sitting in the main cafe in the town square watching the locals play petonk under the large leafed plane trees on the level gravel pitch. Before you get back into your vehicle go for a little stroll down the main road and check out the local shops. There are no multi national franchised stores in this town. Between April and September the farmers market comes to town on Tuesday morning.

The fortress castle of Salignac, Chateau de Salignac, which dominates the town, was first mentioned in the 12th century, and was the home of the important Salignac-Fénelon family. Salignac lies 15 km from Sarlat and opens the doors to the so-called 'Perigord Noir' (black Perigord).

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