Auvillar is designated one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France). Villages with fewer than 2000 inhabitants and with at least 2 national heritage sites qualify for membership. The villages pay an annual fee to be a member.
Auvillar is adorable (and I don't think all villages with the designation are worthy of the designation) and it was definitely worth a detour.
In the center of town, you'll find Le Halle, one of the historic monuments required for the designation. This circular building sits in the center of a triangular square. Le Halle served as a grain processing center.
Covered walkways (cornieres) on the main square.
Auvillar is on the Chemin de Saint Jacques (Camino de Santiago).
You can enter the town through La Tour de l'Horlage, another historic monument. It dates from the 17th century.
View of Auvillar from one of the arches of the clock tower.
Church of Saint Peter, dating from the 12th century, is another historic monument.
There is a nice view of the valley near the church.
On the way back to Valence d'Agen, we passed a traditional pigeon house. Pigeon houses were built between the 16th and 19th centuries. The houses were built away from the main water source and were a sign of wealth. They were sometimes used as part of a dowry. Today, some pigeon houses have been converted into gites or guesthouses.
2018 05 19
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