Saint Jean de Côle, is a beautiful little village in the Dordogne, in South West France. It is a village of 1236 hectares and 340 inhabitants.

Recognised as one the most beautiful villages in France, "Un des plus beaux villages de France", Saint Jean de Cole is a quiet, tranquil place with a turbulent history.


Despite losing over half its population between World War One and the 1970s, it is, thanks to tourism still a living village.


There is a Post Office, Primary School, a Pharmacy, a Grocery/Minimarket, Restaurants, a Hotel, Arts and Craft Galleries, A Library, Tennis Court, Marked Footpaths, Hunting and Fishing clubs and a number of tradespeople.

Perhaps less well known, or ever noticed by the many summertime visitors are the quartz deposits which are exploited within the territory of village. They are the highest quality deposits, with 99.8% purity.

The Priory and Church at Saint Jean de Cole
Built at the end of the 11th century by Raynaud of Thiviers, bishop of Périgueux, on the banks of the river Côle and under the protection of the château de la Marthonie and housing 16 canons (as proscribed by Saint Augustin) the priory of Saint Jean de Côle quicky developed its influence over the surrounding region and less than a century after its creation, it's posessions stretched as far as Limoges and Périgueux and a prosperous village was born and grew about it.

Château de la Marthonie at Saint Jean de Côle
The 12th century Château de la Marthonie, situated in the centre of the Saint Jean de Côle can be visitied during the summer (For information call +33 (0) 553 823 021 ). One of its most well known inhabitants was Mondot de la Marthonie, first president of Bordeaux's parliamentary court and adviser of the Queen Mother in Paris. Originally built in the 12th century, the castle was recontructed in the 15th century after being burnt by the English in the harsh battles of the 100 Years War.