Le Pompon d'Or

Saint Pompon is a perfect base for many activities. The large region around Saint-Pompon is a classified nature reserve. However, this does not mean that nature is surrounded by prohibition signs and barbed wire; on the contrary, you can wander freely almost everywhere. Numerous hiking trails have been marked out, leading you through the eternal forests, hills and valleys, often with sudden views.
On the way, you will hardly meet any people, at most a few small hamlets.
For cyclists, the area is a mecca. This applies both to those who want to keep it quiet and to those who enjoy top-class sport. It is not without reason that the French national championships VTT (mountain bike) are often held in Saint-Pompon. Road cyclists will be in for a treat, with slopes of up to 25%. The longest descent (or climb) within the municipal boundaries measures 9 kilometres.
On the Dordogne (16 km) you can canoe, kayak and fish.
There are also a few companies specialising in ballooning.
At 12 kilometres from Saint Pompon is an 18-hole golf course.
Those who love the ancient world will feel completely at ease here. Within our municipality's borders, you will find everything, such as a medieval hospital (unfortunately in a dilapidated state), a medieval court (almost impossible to find in the woods and scrubland), a Gallic king's tomb, Gallic constructions and Roman roads, a cave dwelling... If you wish, we can take you on a short excursion.
In the neighbourhood, several medieval towns are worth visiting, like Sarlat, Belvès, Monpazier, Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Villefranche du Périgord, Gourdon, Beaumont, Rocamadour... At an hour's distance are Bergerac, Périgueux and Cahors. There are no large cities, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Limoges are all at 200 kilometres. In most fortified towns there are interesting weekly markets where you can find small regional products. We are happy to inform you further.
The mood will already be set after reading the book "Greetings from the Périgord" written by Norbert Koreman, which will be waiting for you on arrival. This luxury book shows in text and image much of Saint-Pompon, its peculiarities and its inhabitants.
Saint-Pompon is a village south of Sarlat, in the most beautiful protected nature reserve in the world. A large part of the village centre is a listed monument. The 12th century church, the feudal castle, the little streets between the romantic stone houses and, very special, the mansard above the village gate, from which, in times gone by, pitch was poured to the robbers. The history of Saint-Pompon began with the Neanderthals, as two local caves prove. The ancient Romans were obviously present, the village was a crossroads of Roman roads, most of which still exist. The most beautiful one leads past a Gallic royal tomb. In the Middle Ages, the village was a stop for pilgrims on the way to Saint Jacques de Compostella, many scallop ornaments in the houses testify to this. The Hundred Years' War between the French and English left many traces. From the Middle Ages, Saint-Pompon was an important market place, there were even separate markets for pigs, donkeys and geese. There were more than ten cabarets, places where you could eat and drink and then go to the hayloft in questionable company. It is all history, and the village centre now has only 60 inhabitants. But still, many amenities are present, such as a baker, post office, pharmacist, farm shop, superette, petrol pump, a small café, 2 restaurants, etc. The modest weekly market is on Friday morning.
On Saturday evenings in July and August, the marché gourmand is held on the village square, an event you must witness. Dozens of natives with their vans, tents and stalls treat the public to food and drink (for a fee) ranging from entrecôte frites to fried foie gras, from a truffle omelette to sausages and hams, from mussels to oysters. There is usually live music. You can sit at long tables with benches. Please bring your own plates, cutlery and glasses. The wine costs almost nothing.
At the end of July, there is a very large flea market in the village.