The commune of Jumilhac le Grand is torn between Périgord and Limousin and jealously guards in its lands a precious metal, gold, already exploited by the Gauls. No wonder the Périgord Limousin region is the one where there has been the most gold mining in France.
– Frederic Meyer
A gold panning course in Chalard near Jumilhac
Feet in the water, with shovels, sieves, and packs, Philippe Roubinet, professional gold washer, explains all about the art of looking for nuggets in the sand and deposits at the bottom of the L’Isle River. Philippe Roubinet is an expert geologist, and after having worked in the reopened Jumilhac mine from 1983 to 2002, he gives you all the good advice to discover a little treasure. Be careful, no one has ever found an ingot but you will have the chance if you are patient and meticulous, to find some flakes in your pack. Something to give you gold fever!
To complete your curiosity, don’t hesitate to visit the Gold Gallery which is located in a former cellar adjoining the Tourist Office. A gallery that presents a permanent exhibition entitled ” gold, origins, myths and industries “. You will dive into the atmosphere of an old mine and you will discover the history of gold production from the Gallic era until the 20th century.
– Frédéric Lemont from the Périgord edition
Jumilhac-le-Grand, the castle of the alchemists where Magic rhymes with Alchemy
Périgord is also the department with 1001 castles and that’s another reason to stop at Jumilhac to discover its black pearl from Haut Périgord: the castle of Jumilhac le Grand. Frederic Lemont, editor of Edition Périgordthe magazine (of) lovers of Périgord explains why:
“It is one of the most beautiful mastodons of the Middle Ages remodeled during the Renaissance in Périgord. A magnificent building with an impressive roof. A landscaped garden under the impetus of Marquis Henry de la Tour du Pin, a fascinating man often visit the place himself and without whom the castle would not be what it is. “
– Frederic Lemont Edition Perigord
He will indeed explain a lot of stories to you, such as that of the spinner or the spikes on the ridge of the roof which echo symbols of alchemy or how to transform less noble material into gold. Did alchemists live here? And above all, would they have succeeded in making gold?
? Listen to Frédéric Lemont tell you about this nugget of summer.