North of the Dordogne, near Brantome, lies Le Plus Beau Village Saint-Jean-de Côle — one of the prettiest villages in France. Within its tiny confines, the town of about 300 people features everything you’d wish for in a beaux village: a château, a Romano-Byzantine Church, a Priory (Abbey), a village square, and a combination of ochre colored and half-timbered houses with tiled roofs.

Le Plus Beau Village: Saint-Jean-de-Côle

This time last year I was wandering the cobblestone streets of Saint-Jean-de-Côle while visiting a friend in nearby Villars. Because most tourists visit later in the season or in the summer, the place was pretty deserted. Nevertheless the charming town, named for Saint John the Baptist and the river Côle, was worth a stop and a walk-around.

The village square of Saint-Jean-de-Côle, with its covered market, is reminiscent of many town centers throughout France. This marketplace, Place de Saint Jean, is flanked by a handsome stone castle, Château de la Marthonie and the Church of Saint Jean Baptiste, formerly an important Priory.

Château de la Marthonie

The stone castle first existed in Saint-Jean-de-Côle around 1250 as a fortress to defend the border between Limousin and Périgord, and to protect the level of the ford on the Côle that led from Thiviers to Nontron and from Limoges to Brantôme. Named “The Old Château”– with towers, battlements, and vertical windows — the castle ensured the safety of the Priory (Abbey)and the village that had built up around it. The château was virtually destroyed when English troops seized and occupied the village during the Hundred Years’ War (1394 – 1404.)

Bridge at Saint-Jean-de-Côle

Jean de La Marthonie, the chateau’s current namesake, purchased the estate near Saint-Jean-de-Côle in the second half of the 15th century. His son, Mondot, was well known as a member of the French court who had a particularly close relationship with Louise of Savoy, mother of Francis I. Mondot de la Marthonie purchased an estate in nearby Villars where he built the impressive Château de Puyguilhem.

Crest of Mondot of Marthonie

RRégente Louise de Savoie

Francis I

What you see now of Château de la Marthonie dates from the 15th century reconstruction, completed in the 16th. In the 17th century a lower wing with apartments was added in the Renaissance style, as well as a huge multi-story staircase.

The chateau is open for visits in July and August and early September. Only then can you explore the monumental staircase and the ground floor rooms.

Périgord style stairway

Church of Saint Jean Baptist

Next to the castle is the Church of Saint-Jean-de-Côle, built in the 11th century in a design that is unique to Périgord. The church, constructed under the order of Reynaud de Thiviers, Bishop of Périgueux, was originally the church of the Priory. In 1801 it became the worship place for the villagers and named for Saint John the Baptist. Designed in a semicircle around the altar, the church featured a domed roof. The dome was replaced by a more modern roof in 1860 after collapsing numerous times throughout the centuries.

The arrival of the railway in the 19th century brought economic recovery to Saint-Jean-de-Côle. Since then, businesses, visitors, and new residents seeking second homes in France have enriched the town.

When to Visit Le Plus Beau Village: Saint-Jean-de-Côle

As mentioned above, my visit to Saint-Jean-de-Côle was off season. It was still a delightful time to see the highlights of the village. The weekend in May when they hold the annual flower show is probably your best choice for seeing the beautiful village in all its glory. More than a hundred exhibitors are there displaying and selling their products, plants and flowers. In June a music festival brings throngs of guests to town.

Where to Eat

Whether you’re visiting the village, or just in the area, you should definitely stop for your midday meal with Rachel and Patrick at Les Temps des Mets. The meal, the service and their hospitality is hard to match. The only problem was deciding which of their amazing dishes to try.

Les Temps des Mets

Owners and Chef: Rachel and Patrick

Fois gras, gingerbread and prune compote

Cannelloni with crabmeat and fennel

Guinea Fowl Encroûte with Cabecou Goat Crême

The resident spaniel

More about Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

There are 156 communities in France with the distinction of being a Les Plus Beaux Village de France. Most are in the Dordogne and Aveyron departments. Vancluse and Lot are next with seven and six beaux villages respectively. So far, I’ve seen only a very few of some 156 “authentic” Les Plus Beaux Villages. I have a lot of traveling to do. 

Come along with me as I continue my quest..read on ....“There’s a new obsession running around in my head: “visit as many of France’s ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages as I possibly can.”