Local Area Information

We have an information folder at the cottage giving you plenty of ideas for places to see and things to do - here is just a small selection;

Les plus beaux villages de France

Autoire  -  Enjoys a stunning location bordering the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park. The village's honey coloured stone buildings with brown tiled roofs are set against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs

Loubressac - Set on a rocky outcrop Loubressac offers unparalleled panoramic views across the Bave and Cère Valleys as well as neighbouring castles like Chateau de Castelnau-Bretenoux

Carennac - Clustered around a Romanesque church and cloister, many of the Renaissance houses in Carennac boast embellished windows and local brown-tiled roofs.  

Curemonte - The medieval village overlooks the valleys of Sourdoire and Maumont with beautiful views across the surrounding countryside. The 'Village of Three' never fails to charm visitors with its three churches, three castles, three cavalries and three fountains.

Collonges-La-Rouge - The village became a stronghold of the Counts of Turenne in the 14th century. Collonges is known for its blazing red sandstone buildings rich in iron oxide. 

Turenne - From the gorgeous castle at the top to the quaint square at the bottom, no visitor could avoid a trip to Turenne and its descending spiral of picture-perfectness. One of the most picturesque villages to visit in the Dordogne Valley situated just 12 miles north of the Dordogne river.

Other nearby Towns and Villages

Argentat Sur Dordogne - Cobbled streets with medieval houses and manoirs make a charming backdrop for a walk or shopping.  Along the riverfront you can find various cafés & restaurants with pretty views across the Dordogne river.

Aubazine - Built on a hill overlooking the Gorges du Coiroux, the small town of Aubazine grew up around a monastery founded in 1135 by St Etienne and his followers. This large Cistercian abbey is the best preserved in the Limousin. 

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne - A charming riverside town - the historic centre, its restaurants, bars and historical sights are accessed through a gateway in the town's medieval fortifications. Its pretty streets are filled with attractive stone and half-timbered houses decorated with statues and ornamental stonework.

Martel - A medieval village dating back to the 12th century, beautifully preserved medieval houses separated by intertwining passages and small cobbled streets. You can take a ride on a steam train, go truffle hunting and eat out in some mouth-watering restaurants.

Meyssac - A lively small market town, its’s history is closely linked to that of the viscounty of Turenne. Fortified in the 12C, Meyssac has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Rocamadour - One of France's most important tourist destinations, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been an important pilgrimage site for a thousand years. The historic site has old stone houses, majestic towers and a castle keep that cascade off the cliff into the Alzou canyon.

Saint-Céré - A medieval town with a canal running through it, excellent restaurants, tea rooms, cafés and shopping in amongst exploring some ancient castles and admiring world renowned tapestries.

Tulle - The capital of the Correze department - historically was an important centre for lace production and is where tulle, a finely woven material often used for wedding veils, was invented. 

Caves

Gouffre de Padirac - One of the largest chasms in Europe, discovered by the French cave explorer Edouard Martel, it was opened to the public in 1899 it is now the most visited cave in France. To enter you descend 75m below ground and board small flat bottomed boats that your guide will punt along a subterranean river.

Lacave - On the banks of the Dordogne River, a tiny village with a Michelin star restaurant, a castle on a cliff, a prehistoric park, wild beaches, and of course the caves. Discovered accidentally in 1905 by Armand Viré, the caves have welcomed more than 7 million visitors since its opening.

Gouffre de la Fage - Divided into two galleries, the Fage chasm presents beautiful draperies in various colours, richly decorated calcite bridges, a multitude of stalactites, columns, petrified waterfalls and fantastic figures.

Chateau

Tours de Merle - Used to house the lords and their families as early as the 12th century, the feudal fortress of the Tours de Merle is built on a rocky cliff above the river Maronne, in the hills and forests of Xaintrie: a natural fortress in an authentic Correzian territory, nestled between the river Dordogne and the Mounts of Cantal.

Chateau de Castelnau-Bretenoux - An excellent example of a fortified medieval French castle, partly destroyed by a fire in 1851, this 14th century castle was restored by the famous French Opera Tenor- Jean Mouliérat – in the early 20th century. 

Chateau de Montal - Described as a jewel of the French Renaissance period this 16th century castle was saved from ruin and has been carefully restored in 2016.

Gardens

Jardin de Lostanges - Travel through the 800m marked trail and discover Jardin de Lostanges's 500 species of plants that come from around the globe.

Jardins de l'Imaginaire - Overlooking the Vézère River and the historic town of Terrasson, 15 acres of landscaped terraces decorated with roses, wisteria, exotic vegetation and contemporary water gardens.

Jardins de Colette - Six interlinking gardens spread over five hectares, a symbolic tour of France dedicated to the life and work of French writer Sidonie Gabrielle Colette.  

Museums

Musée de l'Homme de Néandertal - The highlight of the museum is the reconstruction of a pit containing a replica of the skeleton of Neanderthal man, as found in 1908 by Jean Bouyssonie.

Les Quatre Demoiselles - Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about walnuts!

Les Pans de Travassac - Unique in Europe, the Travassac slate quarries offer an opportunity to explore an unusual, magical site with cliffs in excess of 100m high. 

Le Moulin de Niel - Go back in time by visiting a 12th century water mill. Discover the production of walnut oil in a traditional mill and the work of the hoof maker.

Zoos

Forêt des Singes - Walk amongst 150 Barbary Macaques who live in freedom on 20ha of forest and meadows.

Reptiland - Discover the largest collection of reptiles in France with nearly 250 animals and more than 100 different species.

Le Rocher des Aigles - In a wild and unspoilt setting this ornithological park is dedicated to raising the public awareness of the need to protect birds of prey.

Le Parc Animalier de Gramat - Discover and observe more than 1000 European wild & domestic animals in a 40 hectare park setting, including bears, deer and wolves.

Réserve Zoologique de Calviac - Home to nearly 200 animals from 4 geographical areas (Europe, Madagascar, South America, Oceania).

Leisure activities

Quercyland - Family friendly waterpark with 5 pools, giant slides, jacuzzi, padding pool etc. Also has inflatable castles, pedal karts, trampolines, pentanque, ping pong, picnic area and brasserie.

Wizz’titi - Tree top adventure courses for all ages from 4 years. 

Etang de Miel, Beynat - Lake with beach and Childrens Watersports

Chemin de Fer Touristique du Haut-Quercy - Steam train journey of 8 miles (13 Km) round trip along high cliffs (80m/260ft), giving a wonderful panorama of the Dordogne Valley.

Montgolfiere Ballooning - Four take-off sites (closest at Turenne) for a flight over the three classified most beautiful villages of Curemonte, Collonges la Rouge and Turenne. It passes from the arid Causse in the west to the green hills of chestnut trees and large oaks in the east, AOC walnut trees, the hills of Branceilles vineyards, marsh and red sandstone.

Sporting activities

Caracole Nature - Mountain Bike Tours, St-Michel-de-Bannieres

Correze Sports Animations - Canoe/Kayak rental, stand up paddles, Hydrospeed, Archery, Orienteering, climbing, mountain biking

Ranch de Chadenac - Horse riding, hiking, horse or pony rides in nature. 

Golf Puy D'Arnac – 9 hole course, 7-station practice range and an approach green - 24 hectares, in the heart of the Corrèze countryside.

Wineries

Coteaux de Glanes - One of the smallest wineries in France they make some outstanding reds and excellent rosé

La Cave Viticole de Branceilles - A small winery Mille et une Pierres. Is part of the Vins de Corrèze, awarded with an AOC label in recognition for excellence in wine production.