De la Vézère au Pays de Brive en camping-car

Clinging to a hillside for the upper town, perched on a peak overlooking the Maumont for the castle district, Donzenac, once a large fortified town, still retains its medieval appearance with its winding streets that all return to the church district Barony of the lords of Comborn, Malemort and the viscounts of Turenne, Donzenac counts some illustrious lords such as the duke of Berry and Catherine de Médicis With the liking of the alleys and the porches, you will discover the vestiges of 3 fascinating times: Middle Ages, Renaissance and XVIIth century.

Quiet parking area at the entrance to "La Rivière" municipal campsite, 1.5 km from the village of Donzenac, a small medieval town that has retained its fortified appearance, dominated by its typical slate roofs and the bell-tower of its church. 32 stabilized (small gravel) pitches with electricity. Service terminal and emptying area with two concrete platforms Pay parking all year round by automatic payment machine (CB). Rates: 10.56 euros off-season, 11.88 euros in season + tourist tax. Village with all amenities (bakery, delicatessen, bar-tobacco press, restaurant, pharmacy). Nearby hypermarket (100 m), bread and pizza vending machine, laundromat.

Unique in Europe, the Pans de Travassac site offers a unique journey into the slate-making tradition. Discover the world of the slate quarrymen who, since the 17th century, have been working the stone in this exceptional setting In addition to the steep cliffs where mineral and vegetation blend harmoniously, the show is everywhere You will not fail to observe the work of the slate through the ancestral gestures of the rebillage, the cleavage and the size. Thus, by the hand of the man, a stone becomes a slate In the heart of a gallery, you also awaits a museum retracing through many documents, tools and film, the history and the life of the slate workers of Travassac through the centuries. Store with sale of products in slate or Corréziens.

Notable for its 12th-century Cistercian abbey, Aubazine is also worth a visit for its picturesque alleyways, old houses decorated with stone from the abbey buildings, and the memory of Coco Chanel. It was at the Aubazine abbey orphanage that the future "Mademoiselle" drew some of her inspiration. The young Gabrielle Chanel spent 6 years there, between 1895 and 1901. Her austere life in the Cistercian abbey gave her a taste for clean-lined clothes, with a predilection for black, white and beige. As for the famous house?s logo, you only have to look at the interlacing of the abbey?s stained-glass windows to see where the two intertwined C?s come from! Next stop: the Canal des Moines trail, an exceptional 12th-century work of art built by the abbey?s monks to supply water to fishponds and convent buildings.

12th-century Cistercian abbey, listed as a historic monument. Discover its history and that of its founder, Etienne d'Obazine. Guided tours of the cloister and its monolithic fountain, the terrace overlooking the fishpond where the monks' canal arrives, the scriptorium and chapter house with their harmonious vaults, the former kitchen with its imposing fireplace, and the corridor on the 1st floor, formerly the monks' dormitory. Guided tours only, on opening days and times.

An exceptional 1.5 km-long 12th-century work of art, sometimes dug into the rock, sometimes corbelled by the abbey's Cistercian monks, the canal des moines runs along the rock face from its intake on the Coyroux stream. It served fish ponds and mills and brought running water to the monastery. There are several possibilities for walks: round-trip along the Canal (1h30) or loop walks (3h). Departure point near the wash-house on the Route de Tulle. Please note: no pets, bicycles, motorcycles or baby carriages allowed. Site not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Walking shoes recommended. Guided tours in July and August.

Reception area located 1.5 km from the town center. 4 lightly shaded pitches on asphalt. Euro-Relais Junior terminal located near the rugby stadium: water connection, electrical connection, sanitary and waste water emptying. Rates: free for reasonable use, i.e. 100 liters of water and 1 hour of electricity. Free parking limited to 72 h. Access signposted from the D162 stadium access road, 400m after leaving the village. Open all year round.

[PROVISIONALLY CLOSED] Motorhome reception area with 12 pitches located on the banks of the Corrèze, behind the CGR cinema, close to shops and the town center served by a free shuttle bus. It includes a ticket-issuing entry terminal, an exit terminal, a service terminal and three electric recharging terminals (four sockets on each terminal). Parking is chargeable with payment by credit card on departure according to duration. Rates : From 10 minutes: free; - from 1 hour: 2?20; from 1h to 6h: 5?70; from 6h to 24h: 9?40; for each additional 24h: 7?20 Electric recharging points operate with tokens (3? per 6-hour period via a cash dispenser, payment by credit card). 0.75? tourist tax. Drainage and water refill station.

If it is said to be "gaillarde", it is probably for two reasons: coquettish and valiant, it was also a fortified town in the Middle Ages, when Gaillard meant "fortified". A welcoming, sunny town, it is adorned with a very rich historical centre, an astonishing "lighthouse-water tower" and a magnificent palette of flower gardens. Brive-la-Gaillarde knows how to cultivate the art of living well with its book fair, its rugby team and its fat fairs.

Remarkable for the diversity of its flora and fauna, the Planchetorte Valley attracts specialists in caving, archaeology and botany, as well as walkers and writers, who draw their inspiration here.

Divided into two galleries, the Gouffre de la Fage features colorful draperies, richly decorated calcite bridges, a multitude of stalactites, columns and fantastic figures, and a paleontological deposit. Classified as a NATURA 2000 site, it is also home to one of Europe's largest colonies of bats. Visitors can discover the wonders of the subterranean world at their own pace, in a fun and educational way. A mini-caving course and a digging tank await children. Photos permitted on self-guided tours. Free parking, picnic tables, take-away bar and store. The Gouffre does not have disabled access. A wide range of minerals, natural stone jewelry and souvenirs await you in the store. Bring good shoes and a light jacket (temperature 12°C).

South-west of Brive-la-Gaillarde, the Causse and its lake await you for a moment of relaxation or sport. An ideal spot, just 10 minutes from Brive town center, for a stroll, picnic on the beach or water sports activities. Available in season: canoe, paddle, pedal-boat and mountain bike rentals, rock-climbing lessons. It's also the ideal place for rowing. Numerous sporting events (triathlon, orienteering, foot races, etc.) take place here throughout the year. Don't miss Montagne Pelée, with its breathtaking views, and the village of Chasteaux, from where you can see the lake from above. A vast network of signposted hiking trails allows you to explore the area.

To the south-west of Brive-la-Gaillarde, Lac du Causse is located in an exceptional natural setting. With a surface area of 84 ha, it offers a wide range of water sports. Supervised swimming from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in July and August, fishing, children's games. Water-ski club. Nautical base (open all year except Christmas vacations) with windsurfing, optimist, dinghy, canoeing, stand-up paddle, surf-bike, rowing and pedal boat. Rental, introductory and advanced courses. Mountain-biking center. 18-hole golf course nearby. New: you can book your activities online or register at the two information points around Lac du Causse. Save time and enjoy your activity to the full. More information at www.brive-sports-nature.fr/

[ CLOSED PROVISOIREMENT ] Located in a natural, shaded area near the town of Lissac sur Couze, the reception area overlooks the Causse lake, 800 m from the campsite. The multi-use bollards can accommodate up to 8 motorhomes on a paved surface. Water connection, electrical connection, gray water discharge area, rinsing system, toilet cassette emptying chute, waste container, welcome sign with practical information. Prices: 4.55? per token giving access. Payment by credit card only.

The Romanesque church dates back to the 12th century. It features a domeless cupola, geminated arcades and projecting cornices. It has two side chapels, built later. The southern one is the oldest, while the northern one dates back only to 1732, when a number of parishioners pledged to finance the work, reserving burial rights for themselves. Until 1778, certain noble families were buried in the chapels and children in the sacristy. For reasons of hygiene, this tradition was abolished in 1778. The slabs from these burials were removed during the French Revolution and later used to rebuild the staircase steps. A cross remains on the first step. Emma Laffon and Michel Soulié donated a stained-glass window for the north chapel: St Michel terrassant le dragon (St Michael slaying the dragon)

The church features an octagonal dome topped by a square bell tower. The interior features an altarpiece and 17th-century woodwork. The church is open on request only. For further information, contact the Mairie. Tel. 05.55.25.11.42.

Village 3 Fleurs et ZéroPhyto ! Situated on a "butte témoin", a unique geological site in the Limousin, Ayen is the highest point in the Yssandonnais region at 337 meters, offering extraordinary landscapes. Whether you're a nature lover, a sportsman, a walker or a visitor, climb up to the Puys orientation table and contemplate the magnificent panorama towards the Brive Basin and the Monts d'Auvergne: it's just a glimpse of what your stay in Ayen will be like. Ayen - a nature destination between Limousin and Périgord - is part of the leading national network of nature destinations, the Station Verte network, the benchmark for ecotourism... Ayen is also home to a European Ecolabel VVF....

On leaving the village of Ayen, take the D39 towards Brive, then turn left towards the route des puys. At the top of the Ayen hill, you can commune with nature, admiring breathtaking landscapes from the 360° panoramic viewpoints: the Auvergne mountains, the Limousin mountains and, closer to home, the Puy d'Yssandon, Vignols and Hautefort viaducts. The orientation table has had a facelift, allowing you to read the landscape with subtitles!

Service area located on route d'Ayen Bas, 300 m from town (follow signs) and close to communal workshops. Facilities: grey water discharge area; flushing system; toilet cassette discharge; Presto push-button type tap for cassette flushing, marked "cassette flushing"; Presto push-button type tap with thread for water filling, marked "drinking water"; rubbish container. Free of charge. Below, a natural parking area with 20 spaces. It is located next to the stadium, in a green setting.

Situated on a hill (320 m), on the borders of the Limousin and the Périgord, Saint-Robert has preserved a medieval character which makes it one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'. It was the setting for the television series based on the novels of Claude Michelet. Of the Romanesque church, only the choir and the transept remain. The nave was destroyed during the Wars of Religion. Next to the octagonal bell tower, above the crossing, there is a polygonal lantern for the dead and a square defensive tower added in the 16th century. Saint-Robert has a very medieval charm with its old stately homes, its narrow streets and the remains of fortified gates. It was the seat of a Court of Appeals.

Renovated in 2006, this church is a rare example of a rotunda church, imitating the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Ten cylindrical pillars separate the directly-lit center from the rotating aisle. The two-bay, canopied bell tower rises above a deep porch. Inside, a 15th-century Virgin of Pity. Free admission Monday to Sunday, 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Orgnac sur Vézère is nestled between two rivers: the Loyre valley to the west and the Vézère gorges to the east. It is part of the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire Vézère Ardoise.

Seat of one of the four viscounties of the Bas-Limousin region and cradle of several great feudal families (the Comborns, the 2nd Turenne dynasty, the Ventadours), the château stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Vézère gorges. Permanent exhibition on chapel excavations. Guided tours lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour.

15th-century fortified church with square tower. Inside, a 17th-century flamboyant baroque altarpiece.

At the gateway to the Périgord and Quercy regions, in Objat, a dynamic town renowned for its apples, the parking area is located in the heart of an 18-hectare leisure area with Eco-pool, fitness trail, boulodrome and skate park. A greenway provides direct access to the town center. For camper vans Euro-relay terminal using tokens. 26 delimited pitches with grassed area and street lighting, building with sanitary facilities and showers, children's play area, barbecue, picnic tables. Barrier at the entrance to the area. Pay parking by credit card: 8.00 euros per day including electricity from 1/04 to 31/10 and 10.00 euros per day including electricity from 1/11 to 31/03. Token rate: 3? for 100 liters of water or access to shower.

Welcome to Vallon d'Estivaux! A wide range of accommodation options, open to all: camping, fully equipped tent rentals, holiday cottages for 2 to 13 people with reduced mobility, all set in 4.7 hectares of natural surroundings with a pond and woods, right in the centre of town! You can enjoy the saltwater swimming pool, a leisure area for young and old (badminton, volleyball, rugby, board games, books, etc.) and peaceful walks around the pond. Small pleasures available upon reservation: charcuterie and cheese platters, breakfast, ‘romantic’ gift box with champagne, foie gras, etc. We are committed to sustainable tourism: solar-powered lighting with motion sensors, composting, and a grocery store selling local products and fresh bread. Cottages open all year round, campsite open from April to the end of October.

Access via the D9, in the direction of Perpezac-le-Noir. This site overlooks the Vézère valley. On the left, slightly below the parking lot, there's a fine view of the Saillant dam. On the right, a path lined with ferns leads under oak and chestnut trees to an orientation table at 391m; panoramic view of the Vézère gorges, the dam, the railroad line, the surrounding plateaux and the Yssandonnais.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is built in Gothic style, in black schist enhanced by red sandstone. Its massive square bell tower, fortified with machicolations, gives it a fortress-like appearance. To the south, a typically Limousin-style doorway opens, trimmed with slender cylindrical mouldings and a poly-lobed inner arch. The interior features 3 17th-century altarpieces by the Duhamel brothers. Free admission.

Stop off in a peaceful, green setting, near the Vézère river, 2 km from Allassac, a charming medieval town that will win you over with its heritage, history, historic monuments, small town center and surrounding countryside. The site offers 15 pitches with electricity. Service terminal and disposal area. Rates: 9.24 ? off-season, 11 ? in season + tourist tax. All shops in Allassac and supermarket 300 m away.