Le sud, comme un air de Riviera

The word "gaillarde" has two meanings: used nowadays to mean bold or charming, in the Middle Ages the term described a fortified town such as Brive. This sunny, friendly town has a rich history, an interesting water tower and a magnificent array of flower-filled parks and gardens. A pleasant town with a relaxed atmosphere, Brive-la-Gaillarde holds an annual book fair, regular "foires grasses" (markets selling duck and goose products) and is renowned for its rugby team.

100ha : Supervised swimming, fishing, children’s games. Water sports centre (all year round except Christmas holidays) with windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking, stand up paddle, rowing and pedalos. Water-skiing club. Other activities: mountain-biking centre, 18-hole golf course nearby.

To the southwest of Brive-la-Gaillarde, the Causse and its lake await you for a moment of relaxation or sports. An ideal place, 10 minutes from Brive city centre, for a walk, a picnic on the beach or for water sports activities. Available in season: canoe, paddle, pedal boat, mountain bike hire, rock climbing. It is also the ideal place to practice rowing. Numerous sporting events (triathlon, orienteering races, foot races, etc.) take place here throughout the year. Don't miss the Montagne Pelée site and its breathtaking view, the village of Chasteaux from where you can see the lake from above. A vast network of marked hiking trails allows you to discover this area.

The church of chasteaux, built on a rock peak, offers from its entrance an incomparable view on the Lac du Causse. " The church of Chasteaux, by its dominant position, is a very interesting example of religious architecture of Corrèze. Even if the parish is old, the current state shows a construction appearing to go back to the end of the XVth century: bend intersections of the ribs in prismatic nervures and keys of very round shape. "

The hilltop town of Turenne overlooks the countryside in all directions. Atop the hill there remain the ruins of the 13th century medieval Château de Turenne. This castle served as the feudal powerbase of one of the most powerful dynasties in medieval France - the Viscounty of Turenne. They reigned over the regions of Limousin, Périgord and Quercy for almost 10 centuries from the early Middle Ages until the 1700s. The 14th century Keep and Guard’s room of the castle remain intact and when exploring this listed monument, a climb up the spiral staircase of the fortified towers is rewarded with truly spectacular 360 degree views. In the village below, the 17th century Church of Our Lady of St.Pantaleon is acclaimed for its magnificent stained glassed windows.

The medieval turrets and towers of Collonges-la-Rouge define the skyline of this unusual 14th century village. The distinctive deep red sandstone of the buildings (rich in iron oxide) sets it apart from any other and is at its most striking at dusk. The village became a stronghold of the Viscounts of Turenne in the 14th century, one of the largest fiefdoms in France. A wander through the narrow cobbled streets leads to an impressive church, artisanal workshops, lovely restaurants and small boutiques selling local wines and decorative objects. The centre boasts many impressive 15th and 16th century houses such as the Maison de la Sirène, with period interiors and a small mermaid sculpted in a stone outside. A visit to the Château de Vassinhac, owned by the former feudal Lord of the town, is now fully refurbished with antique pieces including the former bed chambers of the famous French writer Colette.

Meyssac's history is closely linked to that of the viscounty of Turenne. Fortified in the 12C, Meyssac has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Of particular interest are the 16C half-timbered houses built around the town's fortified church, endowed with a fine Romanesque doorway, and the 17C corn market.

A medieval village with three castles and three churches, Curemonte was inhabited by the French writer Colette during the Second World War. Old aristocratic houses line the narrow streets alongside the old ramparts. Attractive corn exchange. Guided tours for individuals in season, Monday to Saturday; times vary. Tours for groups of more than 20 people all year by prior arrangement. Duration: 1hr.

The medieval town of Beaulieu stands on the right bank of the River Dordogne. Nicknamed the "Limousin Riviera" because of its mild climate, the area is perfect for strawberry cultivation. The abbey church of St Pierre is all that remains of the Benedictine abbey founded here in the 9C by Raoul de Turenne, the archbishop of Bourges. Of particular interest is the tympanum depicting the Last Judgement, one of the finest in France.

This Benedictine abbey was founded in the 9th c. by Raoul de Turenne, Archbishop of Bourges. It is one of the most remarkable monastic churches of the Limousin Romanesque style. The glory of the church is the tympanum made by southern stone cutters about 1135. It depicts the return and triumph of the Lord in Glory at the end of Time, which precedes the last judgment, also called the second parousia The treasure is exhibited in the north transept. It consists of the famous statue of the Virgin and Child in wood covered with silver dating from the 12th century, also called the Virgin of Beaulieu, a lantern (in fact a reliquary) which may be of Byzantine origin dating from the 11th century, an enamelled shrine dating from the 13th century and representing the journey of the Three Wise Men, and two silver reliquary arms from the 13th century, those of Sainte-Félicité and Saint-Emilion. The other reliquary objects all date from the 17th and 18th century. Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne is a member of the Federation of Clunisian Sites.

On D.940, near four roads of Albussac, in the direction of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. This rocky steep slope dominates the landscape in 636 m of height. It is credibly about an oppidum Gallic which was formerly surrounded with an oval surrounding enclosure formed by walls or by natural rocks... The ancient ditches are covered with heathers today. The legend wants that Roland, nephew of charlemagne threw his sword, Durandal, since the summit until Rocamadour... Since 1880, Roche de Vic is dedicated to the Virgo. The chapel set up in its summit, is still surmounted by a statue of Holy Marie. Every year, on August 15th, a pélerinage collects hundreds of persons. The viewpoint indicator allows to take advantage of a wide panorama on 360 degrees.

24 ha lake: Supervised swimming from 1 pm to 7 pm in July and August, fishing, children's games, nature trails, fitness area, water sports (rent of stand up paddle and canoe for 2 to 3 people), beach volleyball, rugby, basketball and football pitches. Nearby: MAYAVENTURE adventure park (open from March to All Saints Day), 18-hole and 9-hole compact golf course, pitch and putt.

This extraordinary 12C work of art has been carved out of the rock and constructed with impressive corbelling. Built by the monks from the abbey, it runs for a distance of 1.5km along the side of a rock to supply the monastery with water.

Built by St Étienne and his companions in the 12C and affiliated to the Cistercian order in 1147, the abbey comprises several monastic buildings which house a chapter room, scriptorium, kitchen and dormitory. A fishpond, fountain and the garden of the 12C cloisters may also be visited. No visits on Sunday mornings. Closed on Monday.

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. The ruins of the Le Coyroux convent can be seen not far from the abbey.