declined in population. This was Vichy France, occupied – by consent – by the Nazi army. The nearby railheads at Le Buisson became the regional logistics centre for the German occupiers. Just above Ste. Catherine's church is a pathway recorded as 'Love Lane' on the local authority cadastral plan: the 3 bedrooms of the balconied house on the left of the entrance to the lane were partitioned into 6, and the German soldiers were welcomed here with 'away-from-home' comforts. But the Resistance was very active here too – and amongst many local memorial stèle (memorial plaques) to those who paid the ultimate price for their patriotism, is one on the road at the bottom of the village. Tourism After the War, tourism steadily gathered pace. As the old river-related trades had already died away, the youth of the village were largely more interested in moving out to the greater opportunities in Bordeaux and other large cities, and by the end of the Second World War there were only about 40 houses still occupied in the village. But derelict houses were steadily bought, to be restored by French, Dutch, English, German, South African, and Australian second-home owners. The Municipal Council of the commune obtained grants and other support to improve and maintain the public areas and facilities. The bourg (original walled community) was accepted as a member of the prestigious (entirely non-governmental) organisation Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and restaurants and artisans returned to service the needs of a growing flow of tourists – estimated in 2016 at about 100,000 visitors. The original village (of barely 30 permanent, year-round, residents now) has to endure all the inconvenience – as well as some benefits – of this mass inflow. Many events are organised with the tourist visitor in mind – a weekly marché nocturne (an open-air meal, with entertainment, bought from an array of stalls cooking a wide variety of food) during the summer, in the Place du Port down alongside the river; art exhibitions in the Chateau Parc; a small weekly market; an immense Pottery Fair, one of the largest in France; a similarly large antique and bric'a'brac fair; to join the regular artisans – a glassblower, a potter, and a micro-brewery ('brasserie') – as well as local canoeing, horseriding, football, and pétanque. Population Sights Jardin Musée de Limeuil See also Communes of the Dordogne department References Communes of Dordogne