Geographic Situation:
A charming village located 10 km east of Bergerac on D660, the main road linking Bordeaux to Sarlat and Cahors, Mouleydier’s houses spread gently out along a hill overlooking the right bank of the Dordogne river. This village of 1084 inhabitants and a surface area of 848 hectares is the entryway to the tourist part of the Dordogne and its famous sites.

Mouleydier’s town area includes the village with around 250 houses spread on the hillside, falling away toward the Dordogne; the important hamlet of Tuilières, where the locks, terminus of the Dordogne’s lateral canal, and the Southwest dam and electric plant are located; a few farms in the open country; and to the north, two large estates, Breuil and Merles, at the edge of the forest.

The port of Tuilières

The village’s main street descends for three kilometres between two rows of town houses, crosses Saint Cybard, with its church, stadium, tennis court, and camping area, as well as the hamlet of Tuilières.

The roads that run at right angles join at the main street: one road in the direction of Saint Sauveur and Périgueux, that of the bridge toward Saint Germain with a junction with the street that leads to the port; another road that starts from the central square, passes under the viaduct, runs alongside the market square, the fish farm, and goes off in the direction of Saint Sauveur, Liorac and la Castelle. An alleyway runs from la Castelle down toward the square.

At the site of la Castelle, the primary school is situated on the plateau where the SNCF tunnel from the viaduct comes out,. From that site the view extends toward Bergerac to the west. To the south it extends to the Lanquais plain, Verdon, Saint Agne, Saint Germain, Cours de Pile, and even the hills beyond. The eye can follow the Dordogne’s progress, from just below you as far as the gates of Bergerac.

The dam and the Southwest Electrical Energy’s electric plant are located at the hamlet of Tuilières, east of Mouleydier. In order to let migrating fish come back up the river, a fish ladder was put in. The canal that is parallel to the Dordogne ends here, with a set of six locks around a crossing basin,. The canal was put into place in 1844 to let small craft avoid the “high bottom” at Lalinde.


Historical Background
This is a very old crossing point with river fords and the remains of a Roman road.
St-Cybard church has a porch, a choir, and an adobe from the 13th century.
In the Middle Ages, a fortified castle dominated the valley. It was besieged and destroyed by Du Guesclin in 1375. Only a square well bears witness to this stronghold’s incredible epic.
Mouleydier suffered not only from the Hundred Years’ War: it also was completely burned down on June 21, 1944. Twenty-two members of the Resistance were shot after the city was systematically plundered. That is why the town looks new.
After having been a big port for river craft transporting cargo toward Bordeaux, Mouleydier turned toward the future. It is now a centre where all kinds of commercial and craft-work activities are represented. There is also a shaded camping area on the edge of the Dordogne river, a sizeable area for relaxing with football (soccer) fields, tennis and pétanque courts, a village hall, a reception centre, and a private golf course.
At Mouleydier you can relax while hunting, but especially while fishing, with an area full of fish, which in the springtime, is the regional shad capital.
There is an appellation contrôlée vineyard, and the market is held every Thursday morning.
Mouleydier is the birthplace of former minister Albert Claveille, as well as two other personalities, the writer Serge Vignau Barranx and the doctor Daude Lagrave. It is a very pleasant village, where life is good.




Text translated by Pays du Grand Bergeracois (professional translator).