Saint-Saud Lacoussière, a rural municipality of fifteen thousand acres in the Périgord nestling on the edge of the Limousin region, will charm you with its verdant landscapes full of streams and forests. Crossed by the Dronne river with its exceptional water quality, it is ideal for fishing and countryside walks. As you stroll along, you may see some old mills converted into houses. The only one remaining as an economically viable concern is the modernised mill at Grandcoing.
In the ninth century, monks began moving to Saint Saud, occupying various hamlets: Vieille Abbaye, Peyrouse and then Bonnefond. Our twelfth-century Roman church was restored in 1952 and 1957. Among other features, admire the very unusual frescoes representing the Stations of the Cross and the wooden statues from Peyrouse abbey. This was the church where Father Julien, alias Geroges Rocal, officiated for sixty years. A well-known writer, he published several books describing the customs of our region (Les vieilles coutumes dévotieuses et magiques du Périgord, Croquants du Périgord, etc).
Today, our municipality, which is largely agricultural, is opening up to tourists by giving them the opportunity to discover its production (suckling calves, etc) and the riches of its lakes and streams and its forests, which are full of mushrooms. We will give you a warm welcome at the “great lake” with its bathing and fishing facilities, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and campsites. With its population of 1,050, Coussière sur Dronne, named in the last century, nestles in the hollow of a wooded plateau sheltering it from the cold winds. A prime rural tourism destination attracting lots of anglers and swimmers to its specially equipped lakes, along with lovers of nature and the quiet life, Saint-Saud is also one of the strongholds of Perigordian gastronomy, famous for its mushrooms, foie gras and know-how. Situated just over a mile away from Miallet, 12½ miles from Nontron and Thiviers and 28 miles from Périgueux and Limoges, it offers lots of local facilities such as a pharmacy, several doctors, a post office, bakery, tobacconist/newsagent, grocery, haberdashery and several restaurants. There is also a lake with bathing facilities and children’s games supervised by lifeguards, plus on-site food outlets. Lots of special events take place during July and August (rib steak evening, fireworks, etc) and the rest of the year (suckling calf day and mushroom day).
To find your route:
www.viamichelin.com
www.mappy.fr
