The Château de Vayres stands on a rocky promontory at the confluence of the Dordogne and its tributary, the Gestas. Renting a holiday apartment in Vayres can be part of your travel plans.
Culture and history
The Château de Vayres is classified as a historic monument, bears the “Jardin remarquable” label and, as privately owned property, is open to the public. The gardens of the Château de Vayres also bear the “Jardin remarquable” label; they can be visited as part of a self-guided tour.
The Église Saint Jean-Baptiste de Vayres now consists of three vaulted naves and a circular apse. Its three central choir windows depict Christ, Saint Peter and John the Baptist.
In ancient times, a crossroad linked the Port de Saint-Pardon with Vayres. The “Pierre debout” milestone is still preserved along this route.
The château offers guided tours, special events and a puzzle trail in the park.
River and nature
The Port de Saint-Pardon offers panoramic views of the river and is particularly suitable for observing the Mascaret tidal bore. The harbour area is part of a Natura 2000 site that extends across part of the municipality of Vayres and protects plant and animal species.
Mascaret
There are two Mascaret tidal bores per day in Vayres, or around 730 per year; only about 50 of them are considered remarkable. The Mascaret tidal bore moves at 10 to 20 km/h and slows down where the water is shallower. It can reach a height of 1.36 metres, but this height is not constant.
When the tidal coefficients are high, the Mascaret tidal bore attracts surfers and kayakers to Vayres. Numerous spectators watch and applaud the phenomenon, particularly at the Port de Saint-Pardon.
Winegrowing
Winegrowing extends across the entire municipality of Vayres and the Plateau d’Arveyres, covering around 700 hectares. The vineyards lie on gravelly or sandy-gravel terraces along the Dordogne.
