La Chapelle-Faucher is a commune in the Dordogne department of the Nouvelle‑Aquitaine region in southwestern France. It is situated within the arrondissement of Périgueux and the canton of Montpon-Ménestérol.
Geography
- Coordinates: approximately 45°08′N 0°28′E.
- Area: 9.94 km² (3.84 sq mi).
- Elevation: ranges from 55 m (180 ft) to 172 m (564 ft) above sea level, with an average elevation of about 80 m.
- The commune lies in a predominantly rural landscape characterized by mixed farmland, forests, and small watercourses that feed into the larger Dronne River basin.
Administration
- INSEE code: 24094.
- Postal code: 24410.
- The municipal council is headed by a mayor elected for the 2020–2026 term, in accordance with French local government statutes. The specific name of the mayor as of the most recent elections is recorded in official municipal registers.
Demographics
- Population (2020): 447 inhabitants.
- Population trends over recent decades have shown modest fluctuations typical of small rural communes in the region, with slight declines during the mid‑20th century followed by relative stability in the early 21st century.
History
- The name “La Chapelle‑Faucher” combines “La Chapelle,” referring historically to a chapel or small church that served the local parish, with “Faucher,” likely derived from a family name or a descriptive term related to the local terrain.
- The settlement’s origins trace back to medieval times, with the earliest documented references appearing in 13th‑century records pertaining to feudal holdings in the Périgord area.
- Architectural remnants from the medieval period, such as the remains of a fortified chateau and the Romanesque parish church of Saint‑Pierre, attest to the commune’s longstanding habitation.
Points of Interest
- Château de La Chapelle‑Faucher: Ruins of a once‑defended manor house dating from the 12th–13th centuries, situated on a modest hill overlooking the village.
- Église Saint‑Pierre: A Romanesque church featuring a simple nave, semicircular apse, and several 15th‑century stone sculptures.
- Walking trails: The surrounding countryside is traversed by marked paths that are part of the larger “Sentier du Périgord Vert,” offering hikers access to the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Economy and Services
- The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, with mixed farming (cereals, livestock) and small‑scale viticulture on the outskirts of the commune.
- Limited commercial services exist within the village (a bakery, a small grocery store), while more extensive amenities (schools, healthcare facilities, larger retail) are located in nearby towns such as Montpon-Ménestérol and Périgueux.
Transportation
- La Chapelle‑Faucher is accessed via departmental roads D 76 and D 139, which connect the commune to the regional road network.
- The nearest railway stations are in Montpon-Ménestérol (approximately 12 km away) and Périgueux (about 30 km away), providing regional and national rail services.
Cultural Events
- The commune participates in annual regional festivals celebrating Périgord gastronomy and heritage, often coordinating with neighboring villages for communal gatherings, markets, and traditional music performances.
References
- National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) municipal data.
- Dordogne departmental archives and cadastral records.
- “Patrimoine de la Dordogne” – a catalog of historic monuments published by the regional heritage office.
All information presented is drawn from publicly available French governmental and heritage sources and reflects the status as of the latest official publications.
