Famed for its Romanesque abbey, Souillac is a small market town in the upper Dordogne Valley. It flourished on the back of river trade, with wines from Bordeaux and Atlantic salt exchanged for wood from the nearby highlands. Today, Souillac is surrounded by rural farms where walnuts and strawberries are grown and hosts an international jazz festival each July.
Things to do in Souillac
One of Souillac’s most important architectural landmarks is the Sainte-Marie Abbey, which was built between the 11th and 12th centuries in a combination of Romanesque and Byzantine styles. It was inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Perigueux Cathedral, with its chevet crowned by several stone domes. Step inside to admire the elaborate carvings adorning the western wall.
Travelling with kids? They’ll love spending a day at Quercyland, a family-friendly destination with a water park, bouncy castles and a go-karting circuit. In the summer months, you can refresh in one of the swimming pools or zip down the waterslides. The complex also features a labyrinth, adventure rides and a boules court to keep older visitors entertained.
On the northern outskirts of Souillac is the Borreze Viaduct, a 571-metre-long bridge that has been listed as a Monument Historique. Comprised of 30 arches, this feat of engineering allows the Aubrais - Orléans to Montauban-Ville-Bourbon railway line to pass over the Borreze Valley. Magnificent views of the viaduct can be enjoyed from the lookout point at La Colline aux Oiseaux.
Getting around Souillac
Brive–Souillac Airport is a 20-minute drive from the town centre and has flights to destinations across Europe. The much larger Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is just under two hours away. Regular trains connect to the Souillac railway station and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.