About ten kilometres from Limoges, built around the abbey grounds, Solignac is home to many beautiful half-timbered houses lining the medieval streets, the 12th-century Romanesque bridge spanning the River Briance, and the abbey ramparts
A bit of history…
The abbey’s history dates back to 632. ‘Good King Dagobert’ granted a plot of land to his financial adviser, the great Saint Eloi. The latter founded his monastery there, around which the town developed. The abbey, governed by the Rule of Saint Benedict, became the first monastery in the Limousin region and remained a Benedictine abbey until 1792.
From this long monastic history, the village has preserved its 12th-century Romanesque abbey church – the only one in the Limousin region to feature a row of cupolas. Its medieval-looking village and its abbey, which was entirely rebuilt in the 18th century, can still be seen today.
The bridge spanning the River Briance was built in the 12th century by the monks to enable pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela to reach the route from Bourges to Périgueux more easily. Even today, pilgrims heading for Santiago de Compostela and walkers stop off in Solignac – particularly at the pilgrims’ hostel – and continue their journey across this bridge.
And events…
Local farmers’ markets, concerts in the gardens of La Borie Castle or against the majestic backdrop of the abbey church, as well as exhibitions at the Maison de la Fanfare or the Quatre Autan mill – a whole host of events and activities take place in Solignac throughout the year.
Just 5 minutes from Solignac, you can also discover the Reynou Zoological Park, Chalucet Castle and the Jardins de la Borie. The Château de la Borie (17th century), situated between Limoges and Solignac, is a 17th-century castle built by the Malledent family during the Wars of Religion and fully restored in the late Renaissance style; it is now owned by the La Borie Foundation, an organisation dedicated to music and the arts of sound.
Also worth seeing is the Rocher de Saint Eloi, where Saint Eloi is said to have often prayed, and from where, according to legend, he threw a hammer which, upon striking the ground, caused a spring to gush forth (or which marked the site of the future abbey).
Solignac Town Hall
57, Avenue Saint-Rloi
87110 Solignac
Tel.: 05 55 00 50 09
