Between Tardes and Voueize

4 points of interest

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  Legend

  The Bol de Gargantua

  An ancient baptismal font. Legend has it that Gargantua passed with his dog over the Barbot bridge which spans the Voueize river at the bottom of the village. Dazzled by this beautiful water, he took his bowl and filled it with water. But he nearly choked when he swallowed a donkey drifting down the river. Mad with rage, Gargantua threw his bowl away, and it landed on the village square.

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  Heritage site

  Bonlieu Bridge

  Bridge built over the Tardes river (300 m round trip). The religious people of the village built it in the 14th century for the needs of the abbey. It consists of two pointed arches with triangular cutwaters.

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  Heritage site

  Bonlieu Abbey

  In the 12th century, a few hermits settled and founded a Cistercian community this deep, wooded valley bottom, in which the Tardes river flows. In the 13th century, the abbey was at the head of a considerable estate with, in particular "granges", independent outlying agricultural properties, all superbly managed. The decline began in the 16th century, and the abbey was sold as a National Asset in 1790. Of the abbey church, only a piece of the apse remains. There are also the main buildings and a large square tower; it was built to reinforce the defence system after the ransacking by the British during the Hundred Years War.

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  Heritage site

  Château du Mazeau

  The first manorial dwelling, known as "Château Vieux", was probably not built until the end of the 15th century, and only became the residence of the abbots of Bonlieu in the middle of the 16th century. It was at this time that an extension known as "Château Neuf" was built, all in cut stone, with a finely carved door and windows. The Italian-style gallery, remarkable for its terracotta medallions, dates from the 17th century.