1. Solignac Abbey
In the Briance Valley, Solignac Abbey stands as a testament to the treasures of Romanesque art. This monument in the heart of the Limousin region dates back to the 630s, when King Dagobert authorised his adviser Saint Eloi, a native of Limoges, to begin building a church.
Solignac Abbey boasts exceptional architecture in the style of churches with clustered domes. The nave, with its three vaulted bays, features large flat buttresses and columns that rise right up to the roof. Inside, you’ll discover striking oak choir stalls, as well as carved decorations on the capitals of the bays and Romanesque paintings.
2. Rochechouart Castle and its remarkable geological site
In Haute-Vienne, perched on its rocky promontory, it overlooks the Graine valley. The geological site on which Rochechouart Castle stands is none other than the crater left by a meteorite that fell over 200 million years ago.
The keep and the drawbridge are the remains of the former medieval fortress. The main building, the main courtyard and its arcaded gallery are more reminiscent of the Renaissance style. A journey through time that doesn’t end there, as the château houses the department’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
3. The Oradour-sur-Glane Memorial
A visit to this martyred village is not recommended for young children or those of a sensitive disposition. Sadly known throughout the world, the village of Oradour-sur-Glane bears the intact scars of the massacre of its population by a unit of the Second SS Division on 10 June 1944.
Before entering the ruins of the village and following the trail of commemorative plaques, you can visit the nearby Centre de la Mémoire. This recently built site is dedicated to the message of remembrance and peace. It recounts the circumstances of these tragic events linked to the Second World War.
4. The glove-making workshops of Saint-Junien
Whilst Limoges is renowned for its porcelain, other crafts also flourish on the banks of the Vienne. In Saint-Junien, leatherworking is a craft deeply rooted in the region since the 11th century. The industry has evolved considerably since the first craftsmen settled there, and the village now boasts three glove factories, a leather goods factory and an active tannery.
La Cité du Cuir, situated on a disused industrial site, also helps to keep this economic sector alive. Steeped in heritage, this venue features a museum exhibition, interactive activities and educational workshops.
5. The Ambazac Hills
As you landed at Limoges Bellegarde Airport, you may have caught a glimpse through the window of the magnificent landscapes of the nature reserves and parks. To the north-east of the city, the Monts d’Ambazac invite you to head for the hills. Along the way, you’ll come across dolmens, menhirs and rocky outcrops on the ‘Circuit des Pierres et Légendes’ (Circuit of Stones and Legends), which starts from Compreignac.
For an exceptional view at an altitude of 650 metres, you’ll need to climb up to the ‘wobbly stone’ at La Jonchère-Saint-Maurice. As for observing the local flora and fauna, there’s no better place than the Tourbière des Dauges. The discovery trail winds through the nature reserve, which follows the basin of a 3-million-year-old depression.
6. The Collegiate Church of Saint Léonard de Noblat
As you make your way towards the collegiate church, you can admire the architecture of the two-storey houses, with their granite arcades and turrets, in the town’s medieval streets.
The Romanesque collegiate church of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Externally, it is distinguished by its bell-tower porch, its gable windows, its rotunda and its Limousin-style portal. Inside, you will discover a vaulted nave and a vast choir with an ambulatory. The whole complex benefits from natural light streaming in through the seven radiating chapels.
7. The Moulin du Got
In the 17th century, the Limousin region was also renowned for its paper-making industry. The Moulin du Got, also situated in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, is one of the last sites to bear witness to this craftsmanship. The site is kept in operation by an association that is a member of the ‘Luxe et Elégance en Limousin’ network. The team not only fulfils orders but also passes on the craft through workshops focusing on the traditional trades of papermaking.
Production is carried out by hand, but also using 19th-century machinery, combining tradition and innovation with vegetable-based or recycled papers. The site also features a shop of undeniable charm, and exhibitions are regularly organised.
8. Lake Vassivière and the Millevaches Plateau
Lake Vassivière is the gateway to the Millevaches Plateau. Created in 1950, the lake holds the waters of the Maulde, the Vienne, the Taurion and the Dorat. With 45 km of shoreline, the lake is a delight for water sports enthusiasts. On Vassivière Island stands the iconic lighthouse of the CIAP. The International Centre for Art and Landscape offers walkers spaces dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions.
The Millevaches Plateau is a Regional Nature Park spanning three departments. With its hills and valleys, crimson moors, springs and peat bogs, the park boasts an extraordinary array of flora and fauna.
9. The thermal baths of Chassenon
The village of Chassenon is a paradise for archaeology enthusiasts. The remains of the Cassinomagus thermal baths date back to the end of the 1st century. The site is situated in the heart of a 15-hectare landscaped park.
The Chassenon Archaeological Park offers guided or costumed tours through the underground chambers, boiler rooms and pools. Themed activities are also organised to transport visitors back to the Gallo-Roman era: escape games, the ‘Parcours des dieux’ maze…
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/114781795@N07/52356729503