Explore the historic centre as if it were a treasure hunt
To get children interested in visiting Brive’s historic centre, it’s best to avoid long explanations and set them a task instead.
Ask them to spot Saint-Martin’s Collegiate Church, the old houses, the turrets, the sculptures on the façades, or even the narrowest alleyways. The tour of the historic centre takes in the Halle Georges-Brassens, the theatre and the Saint-Libéral Chapel, now used as an exhibition space.
Allow around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, including a tasty break. This walk is suitable for all ages and requires no special preparation.
Discover local produce at Brive market
Brive market is an excellent way to introduce children to Corrèze cuisine without subjecting them to a never-ending meal in a restaurant.
It takes place in and around the Halle Georges-Brassens on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. The stalls change with the seasons, offering fruit, vegetables, cheeses, pastries and local specialities.
To make the visit more fun, each member of the family can choose a product to share during a picnic. The nearby Jardin de la Guierle has shaded paths and play areas for children.
Lose yourself in the maze at the Jardins de Colette
In Varetz, near Brive, the Jardins de Colette combine culture, nature and outdoor games. The site traces the different regions where the writer Colette lived, but its main attraction for families remains its huge butterfly-shaped maze.
This 5,000 m² maze is complemented by giant games, Mikado, dominoes, a forest of jingle bells, a vegetable garden and a few animals. The floral park covers around five hectares.
Allow half a day for your visit. This outing is particularly suitable for children aged 4 or 5 and over, although older children usually enjoy it too.
Spend a day at Lac du Causse
When the temperatures rise, head to Lac du Causse, situated about 15 minutes from Brive-la-Gaillarde. It’s one of the most convenient places to combine relaxation, picnics and physical activities.
Depending on the season and opening times, families can enjoy a swim or try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, pedalos, rowing and various other water sports.
Remember to check the opening hours of the leisure centres, swimming conditions and lifeguard coverage before you set off. If you’re travelling with young children, make sure you bring suitable footwear for the lakeside, sun protection and plenty of water.
Choose a short, child-friendly walk
You don’t need to walk for four hours to enjoy the Corrèze countryside. Make the most of family walks of less than 6 km, which have been developed and maintained as part of the departmental hiking plan (PDIPR).
Choose your route based on the age of the youngest walker, not the fittest member of the family. This simple rule saves a lot of haggling halfway along the trail.
A small rucksack containing water, a snack, a cap and a light jacket is usually all you need for these short walks.
Visit Collonges-la-Rouge by counting the towers
You can spend half a day in Collonges-la-Rouge, famous for its purple sandstone houses. A full tour of the village takes around 2 hours and allows you to spot nearly 25 towers.
To keep the children engaged, suggest they count the towers, take a photo of the reddest house or find the market hall and its old communal oven.
As the streets are sometimes steep or cobbled, a baby carrier may be more practical than a pushchair for very young children.
Plan an alternative programme in case of rain
A rainy day doesn’t necessarily mean a wasted day. The Edmond-Michelet Museum, housed in the former family home of the Resistance fighter and statesman, regularly organises guided tours and workshops for children.
The Labenche Museum, meanwhile, offers visitors the chance to discover the history of Brive and its region through 15 permanent exhibition rooms. Family workshops are held there at certain times of the year, particularly during the school holidays.
Brive also has cinemas, an indoor swimming pool, an ice rink, a bowling alley and several indoor leisure facilities.
How to organise a family day out in Brive?
For a first visit:
- Start the morning with a visit to the market and the historic centre;
- Then have lunch in the town centre or at the Jardin de la Guierle;
- Spend the afternoon at the Jardins de Colette when the weather is mild, or at Lac du Causse in summer.
This variety allows you to plan a well-rounded trip without having to make too many long journeys: a bit of history for the parents, plenty of fun for the children and enough breaks to keep everyone smiling.
Book your flight to Brive-Vallée de la Dordogne
See also:
5 places to visit in the historic centre of Brive-la-Gaillarde
7 exceptional places to discover near Brive
Brive: 5 castles and medieval villages to visit
5 must-see museums in Brive and the surrounding area
5 markets in and around Brive to discover the culinary treasures of Corrèze