Ajat is a village situated on a hillside at the edge of the Causse and the Forêt Barade forest. Ajat offers visitors a panoramic view. For travellers who would like to rent a holiday apartment in Ajat, choosing accommodation is part of planning their stay.
Culture and History
Ajat Castle is protected as a listed historic monument by an order dated 8 June 1925. It consists of two residential wings connected by a gallery with a pavilion; the gallery encloses an inner courtyard.
The Church of Saint-Martin in Ajat dates from the 12th century and was listed as a protected historic monument by an order dated 25 April 1925. Its apse is decorated with arcades on small columns. The bell-gable tower has four openings and is 25 metres high. The floor covers numerous graves, including the tomb of François de Hautefort. Originally, the church was connected to the castle; a destroyed bay once linked it to one of the castle towers.
The Church of Bauzens was classified as a protected historic monument by an order dated 25 August 1909. Its western portal lies beneath a projecting arch, above which there are three arcades; two monolithic small columns support sculpted capitals. The Church of Saint-Barthélemy in Bauzens was first mentioned in 1120 and is considered one of the oldest churches in Périgord. Part of its nave is open to the sky.
Historical traces in Ajat include the remains of a cloister, a necropolis and medieval traces in the village.
Paths and Historical Connections
The Boucle d'Ajat mountain biking route is an opportunity to discover Ajat's cultural heritage. Suzanne Lacore's house in Ajat is part of the Route des Canons; Suzanne Lacore was the first woman to serve as a Secretary of State under Léon Blum. Through the de Hautefort family, Ajat was closely connected with the Route des Canons, which was linked to the establishment of the Forge d'Ans.
Visits
Ajat Castle was open for visits in August.
Other destinations: Veyrignac, Mouzens, Saint-Nexans, Labouquerie, Capdrot, Sorges, Coutures, Salon
