Life, the rural Perigordian architecture of the 1900s... while having fun!
Life, the rural Perigordian architecture of the 1900s... while having fun!
On Sunday, September 21, the Parc du Bournat opens its doors, on the occasion of the European Heritage Days, placed this year under the sign of the "Architectural Heritage".
The opportunity to discover a place out of time: a Périgourdin village from the last century, patiently reconstructed, and an exceptional built heritage in a playful, lively and immersive setting.
Suitable for both young and old, this unique site in France invites you to stroll, learn, have fun and marvel... for free.
A living witness of local know-how
Walking along the Bournat is a journey through time to the heart of a typical village in Périgord in 1900.
An extraordinary project, born from the passion of Paul-Jean Souriau and the collaboration of the Périgourdin architect André Bazin, who called upon local artisans to build a village faithful to the history and spirit of the region.
An architectural heritage reconstructed stone by stone
More than 40 emblematic buildings have been re-established or reconstructed: town hall, chapel, mill, school, wash houses, forge, clog factory, butchery, shoemaking...
Most come from entire repurchased workshops or saved structures. Only the windmill, not found, has been rebuilt identically according to ancient plans.
A colossal construction site and a living memory
To bring this village back to life, 1,000 tons of stones, 20 tons of lauzes, 60,000 flat tiles and 14,000 canal tiles were transported.
Each wall, each roof, each framework respects the traditional know-how of the Perigordian building.
The mobilized artisans – masons, carpenters, roofers – were all from the territory. They worked with rigour under the guidance of the architect so that each detail was faithful to the time.
A village-museum unique in France
Inaugurated in July 1992 after two years of work, the Parc du Bournat now houses an exceptional collection of more than 10,000 pieces: tools, toys, agricultural machinery, furniture, everyday objects and fifteen old rides.
A rare, precious memory of the peasant and artisanal life of the past.
A joyful immersion in the rural France of yesteryear
More than a park, the Bournat is a living conservatory of collective memory, a tribute to vernacular architecture, ancient know-how and rural French culture, which attracts 160,000 visitors each season.
At a time when the transmission and preservation of local heritage are major issues, this immersion in the life of our ancestors resonates with strength and emotion.
