La Dordogne de villages en barrages

In the early Middle Ages, Robert, founder of the Chaise-Dieu abbey, had a priory built on the right bank of the Dordogne. The abbey flourished from the 11th to the 13th century, with 16 monks. However, it was sacked around 1597 by the Huguenots. Today, all that remains of the priory is part of the surrounding wall, the large vaulted hall, the base of the keep and the chapel of the Manants. The latter was built outside the walls for the surrounding population. It served as a parish church, succeeding the church of Saint Martin further up the plateau. Every summer, the chapel hosts exhibitions and concerts.

On the D82, 20 km north of Bort-les-Orgues. View of the Bort-les-Orgues dam reservoir.

The Museum's 1,000 m² of exhibition space features some twenty different machines used to process hides. This is complemented by a video and old photos showing the tanner's work, from raw hide to finished leather. The Museum also offers a Leather Workshop, where visitors can make a leather object to take home as a souvenir. New at the Musée de la Tannerie is the Petit Musée de l'École. It's a recreation of a classroom, with objects, furniture and documents from the old school in Bort les Orgues. The exhibition evokes emotion and even nostalgia, with desks, inkwells, the smell of wax, geography maps, moral phrases, textbooks? Another part presents the great figures who forged the Republic's school system (Jules Ferry, Jean Jaurès)

On the D127, 12 km west of Bort-les-Orgues. Promontory at the confluence of the Dordogne and Diège rivers. The village and church of St-Nazaire once stood here. From its tip, you have a magnificent view of the Dordogne (Marèges dam reservoir) and Diège gorges. This is the most beautiful viewpoint in the Dordogne valley. Easily accessible on foot. Rated *** by Michelin.

The Romanesque church, whose entrance door is decorated with 13th-century wrought-iron hinges (listed), faces the remains of the Château de Peyroux.

Access via the D20, then the D183 between Neuvic and Liginiac. Puy de Manzagol overlooks the Triouzoune lake opposite Neuvic. From the panoramic viewpoint, the view plunges down to the Pellachal bridge, before wandering off to the horizon of the Monédières.

On the D168, 12km southeast of Neuvic. Located on the Ajustants tourist route, Le Belvédère offers a superb view of the confluence of the Dordogne and Sumène rivers, and of the Aigle dam reservoir, built between 1935 and 1945. A picnic area is available on site.

In the heart of a listed natural site, a superb 30-metre waterfall on the Pont-Aubert stream, accessible on foot from the parking lot shortly after the hamlet of Le Breuil along a yellow-marked path (1h return). Access via the D16 between Soursac and Mauriac, upstream of the Barrage de l'Aigle. Available from Soursac Town Hall, the Haute Corrèze Tourist Information Office in Neuvic (all year) and the Soursac tourist office (July and August).

Once an important site for the construction of "gabares" and the departure point for the "gabariers" who transported loads of wood down the Dordogne to the Bordeaux region. Gabare rides on the Dordogne.

This remarkable 7-hectare site, made up of cliffs, primary moorland and sloping woods, offers a magnificent view over the Luzège valley. These typical gorges are home to numerous species, including birds of prey such as the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the Red Kite (Milvus milvus) and the rare Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). For hikers, the viewpoint is accessible via the "Le Vieux Bourg" hiking trail, which starts from the village of Laval-sur-Luzège. The viewpoint is owned by the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels du Limousin.

A viewpoint overlooking the Sombre stream at its confluence with the Chastang reservoir, offering an exceptional panorama of the Dordogne Gorges. The surrounding cliffs and rocks provide shelter for two birds accustomed to these rocky environments: the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the Common Raven (Corvus corvax). For hikers, the "Les Gorges de la Dordogne" trail, starting from the Chapeloune forest track, is a good place to stop.

Situated on the south-western slopes of the Dordogne Gorge below the village of Nougein, the Bardot garden covers some 1,200 m². It is characterized by a fairly steep slope. Horizontal terraces supported by low dry-stone walls enable the garden to take full advantage of the exceptional micro-climatic conditions found here. Shrubbery (holly, medlar, lilac, field maple, vines, etc.).

Roc du Busatier is certainly one of the most remarkable panoramas to be found in the Gorges de la Dordogne. It's a feast for the eyes, and one that leaves you begging for more! On site, the picnic area under the trees is the ideal refreshment point before taking a lovely stroll to the Jardin de Bardot below, or beginning a hike along the Dordogne trail from villages to dams.

Access via the village of Murat from the D18 between Saint-Martin la Méanne and Gros Chastang. Panoramic view of the Dordogne gorges and the Chastang dam reservoir.

This new lookout, set in a forest in the Dordogne Gorge, offers a breathtaking view of the Chastang dam, commissioned in 1951.

Come and discover the role of the Chastang dam, its characteristics and the challenges of hydroelectricity, by visiting the inside of the dam and its ODYSSELEC area, which is open to the public. A visit to the plant is available at an additional cost (strongly recommended): a guide will take you deep into the workings of hydroelectricity, accompanying you to the heart of this exceptional structure. Due to the Vigipirate and security plans, the visit is limited to 15 people and to children aged 8 and over. Animals not allowed (except guide dogs)

Inaugurated in 1958, this is the smallest dam on the Dordogne, but also an original structure. Far from the spectacular constructions of the past, it gently harnesses water and filters it like an hourglass. Height 35 m. Reservoir 9 km. No inside tour of the dam.

Nestled on the banks of the Dordogne, Argentat sur Dordogne was for centuries a great trading port From the Lestourgie quay, the barges loaded with wood, leather and oil left You will take great pleasure in strolling along the old-fashioned cobbled quays to admire the fishermen's houses topped with lauze, the noble facades and their turrets. Rue Sainte-Claire has some beautiful residences, such as the Hôtel de Turenne.

Argentat-sur-Dordogne has been a major trading port for centuries. From the Quai Lestourgie, gabares loaded with wood, leather and oil set sail. Stroll along the old-fashioned cobbled quays and admire the fishermen's houses with their lauze roofs, noble facades and turrets.