Le Bournat, France; a recreated village of the year 1900

Visit Le Bournat

In the centre of Le Bugue the animated 'village' of Le Bournat is an interesting and educational insight into life in times gone by.

Explore Le-Bournat

Le Bournat is a theme-village showing life as it was in rural France around about the year of 1900. Each building has been equiped with authentic tools, machines and furniture of the era and as you walk round you can visit wood carvers, potters, basket weavers, knife sharpeners, clog-makers and lots more.

To make it even more interesting each of these has people carrying out these trades using the tools of 1900. It is fascinating to see.

The village of Le Bournat sits on the edge of the River Vezere and its houses are lovely half timber houses which are very picturesque.

There is a working windmill making flour that you can buy and take home with you. A baker takes the flour and produces loaves of bread which are then baked in the traditional bread oven. There is also a brewery where you can taste the home-made beer - and yes, you can buy this too in the Le-Bournat shop.

As well as these activities inside the buildings, outside you can watch a sheperdess and her dog herding a flock of geese around the park, you can watch a harvest being collected and you can admire the herb garden and the farm animals which are in the village.

The farm animals are those that would have been found on a farm in the 1900s and include geese, hens, cows, sheep, goats and rabbits. There is also an animal island surrounded by water and you can row a boat around the island and see the cattle with their long horns that live on the island.

Scattered around the village are a fascinating collection of old machines including an old hand pulled fire engine and an old still.

Throughout the day there are various different animations such as riding in a horse and carriage or taking part in a bread-making workshop. Also on offer is wood carving using a knife, wheat weaving, pottery, calligraphy and many more.

To keep young children entertained there is a fairground which is also in the style of the 1900s and includes a big wheel, galloping horses and spinning chairs.

There is also a restaurant, a snack bar and a picnic area. All in all everything you need for a fun family day out.

Visiting Le Bournat

Le Bournat is open every day from the 4th April to the 27th September except for Mondays in September.

March, April, May, June and September: 10.00 to 18.00

July and August: 10.00 to 19.00

On Wednesdays and Thursdays in the second half of July and most of August the park is open until midnight.

Prices are 15 euros for adults and 10 euros for 4-12s. Under 4s are free. If you are visiting as a family there are family tickets available that are a bit cheaper than buying the individual tickets.

Where to visit nearby?

Another excellent place to visit with children is the Aquarium of Le Bugue which is next door. Le Bugue itself is a charming market town and well worth a visit. It makes a good base for exploring the area as it has plenty of bars and restaurants.

Near to Le Bournat is the Gouffre de Proumeyssac which is a spectacular natural cave of stalactites and stalagmites.