Summary of Activities:
In the central Corrèze department, Brive-La-Gaillarde is a charming medieval town thriving as a regional commercial hub. The houses in the old town are constructed from striking pink sandstone under blue slate roofs.
There is much to engage your interest in Brive, along with a wealth of natural beauty in the western foothills of the Massif Central. You will find lakes, forests, and challenging hills nearby, along with numerous picturesque medieval villages. Several of these villages are included on the official list of the most beautiful in France and, despite their allure, they remain pleasantly uncrowded.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Brive-La-Gaillarde:
1. Hôtel de Labenche
The art and history museum of Brive is situated in this magnificent Renaissance mansion.
However, before entering, take a moment to admire this architectural gem, recognized as one of the finest Renaissance buildings in the region.
Commissioned circa 1540 by Jean de Calvimont, who served as Lower Limousin’s Minister of Justice and Clerk to King Francis I, this building later hosted royalty on their visits to Brive, including Louis XIII. Constructed from exquisite pink sandstone, it features many intricate details, such as a stylish arcade, mullioned windows, various sculptures, and an unconventional chimneystack designed to resemble a Greek temple.
2. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire
An extensive collection of 5,000 items narrates the history of Brive over an impressive span of 100,000 years.
The museum encompasses various disciplines including natural history, archaeology, ethnography, and numismatics.
Additionally, it showcases intriguing artifacts that originate from outside Brive, such as a piano once owned by the renowned composer Claude Debussy and an exceptional assortment of tapestries.
Among these, several are from the Aubusson Manufactory, while ten were crafted by the English Royal Manufactory at Mortlake. This collection represents the largest gathering of 17th-century English tapestries available for viewing in France.
3. Denoix Distillery
Experience the essence of local craftsmanship at this 19th-century family distillery.
The Denoix brand produces a variety of liqueurs including orange, grape, walnut, strawberry, chocolate, and various herbs, and is open Tuesday through Saturday for behind-the-scenes insights.
One notable feature of this establishment is its gleaming copper stills, unchanged since the 1800s, offering ample opportunities for striking photography.
It is worth noting that the distillation process is seasonal, with the specific fruits or plants macerating varying throughout the year.
A visit is incomplete without sampling a liqueur or aperitif on site.
4. Old Brive
Although the center of Brive may not be filled with major attractions, it is a delightful town to explore while shopping.
This labyrinth of streets features numerous stone houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, offering opportunities to wander into an arcaded courtyard or gaze upon an ancient turret or wrought-iron balcony.
The town hall conceals a charming little flower garden, and there is a brief itinerary of historic mansions available at the tourist office.
Notable among these are the 18th-century Hôtel Desbruslys and Hôtel Quinhart, which boasts a corbelled turret.
5. CA Brive
Despite being a provincial town, Brive has a reputation that extends well beyond French borders.
One contributing factor is its rugby club, a staple of the Top 14, the premier division of French rugby.
The current team includes numerous past and present France internationals such as Julien Le Devedec and Lucas Pointud, in addition to players from South Africa and Australia.
The Stade Amédée-Domenech has a seating capacity of almost 14,000, and despite its modest size, it is the largest sporting venue in the entire Limousin region! Attend a match during weekends from August through May, and at any time, you may also purchase CA Brive merchandise at the team store in the town center.
6. Musée Edmond-Michelet
Limousin offers an excellent opportunity to explore the history of the French Resistance, given the significant disruptions caused by guerrilla fighters in the region.
The leader of the area’s Resistance movement was Edmond Michelet, who survived the war and later had a distinguished political career.
Thus, while numerous towns in France have Resistance museums, this one is certainly noteworthy.
Michelet’s family contributed various personal items, including the mimeograph he utilized to print leaflets against France’s capitulation in 1940. The museum also displays around 400 original propaganda posters produced by the German occupying forces and the Vichy Government.
7. Château d’Eau
Brive’s 19th-century water tower may well be the town’s most distinctive landmark.
Constructed in 1834, it was designed to pump water from the Doux River to the town’s fountains, while also serving as both a functional and symbolic structure, as the upper level resembles a lighthouse.
Recently, the town enhanced the building’s appeal to visitors by establishing the tourist office on the ground floor and creating a viewing platform at the top.
For just €0.50, you can ascend to enjoy panoramic views over the market and town from a height of 22 meters.
8. Brive Market
Another aspect contributing to Brive’s fame is a song from 1952 by the esteemed French artist Georges Brassens.
Hécatombe narrates a humorous conflict between the gendarmerie and Brive’s housewives (who ultimately triumph) at the marketplace.
This is how Brive’s covered marketplace became known as Halle Georges Brassens.
The market operates on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings and is an excellent place to source fresh produce and local specialties.
Notably, on Saturdays between November and February, special markets featuring foie gras and black truffles add extra appeal.
9. Collégiale Saint-Martin
Brive radiates from this 12th-century church situated on a gentle slope at the town’s core.
Although this landmark was completed in the 1100s, it is built atop a much older church established at the end of the 5th century.
These layers of history have been uncovered in the archaeological crypt, where remnants of the Merovingian church are on display, including ancient sarcophagi.
The current church has undergone various renovations over the years yet retains its Romanesque character, particularly evident in the 13th-century capitals atop the choir columns.
10. Canal des Moines
One of the most scenic local walks extends for 10 kilometers eastward along the rugged banks of the Coiroux River.
The Canal des Moines is a remarkable testament to the ingenuity and industriousness of medieval monks.
In the 12th century, when the Cistercian monks at Obazine Abbey sought to irrigate their gardens and fields, they ingeniously created a 1.5-kilometer aqueduct from the cliff face.
Almost 900 years later, these water conduits continue to irrigate fields in the valley, and you can follow the route along high ledges offering sweeping views, large mossy boulders, and fresh deciduous forests.
11. Lac de Causse
A short drive from Brive, this artificial lake is ideal for cooling off during the summer months.
The picturesque landscape features a 100-hectare expanse of water framed by steep hillsides.
There are two sandy beaches supervised in July and August, and the lake is also known for its sporting facilities.
It offers excellent facilities for competitive rowing and has hosted significant events, including the Junior World Championships in 2009. Throughout the year, various competitions take place, with the facilities available for canoeing, allowing visitors to rent watercraft from the “Base Loisirs Nautiques” during the summer months.
12. Turenne
In just 15 minutes, you can reach one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
Turenne is small, yet as indicated by its castle, it once served as the seat of a powerful Viscounty controlling Limousin, Quercy, and Périgord.
Substantial remains of the Viscounts’ fortress still tower over the village, and if you’re willing to venture uphill, you can ascend to the 12th-century Tour César and the 13th-century Tour de l’Horloge for breathtaking views.
The elegant stone mansions further down the hillside signify Turenne’s storied nobility, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
13. Collonges-la-Rouge
Collonges-la-Rouge is sure to captivate you upon arrival.
The village’s name hints at what awaits you, as it is constructed entirely from striking red sandstone.
This distinctive material enhances the allure of the village, and as the low sun highlights the rustic walls and château towers, they seem to radiate warmth.
Collonges is not only among the Most Beautiful Villages in France; it is also the very place where the association was established.
During the Middle Ages, the Viscount of Turenne granted privileges to Collonges, enabling its nobility, magistrates, and legal professionals to build sophisticated ancestral homes.
You may need an entire day to explore the stunning mansions, châteaux, and the sublime 11th-century church at this highly visited tourist destination in Limousin.
14. Les Jardins de l’Imaginaire
This garden, located outside the town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu, represents a fusion of horticulture and fine art.
It is a modern interpretation of a classic terraced garden, where monumental art installations harmonize with natural elements such as grass, trees, stone, flowers, and water.
Designed by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson and architect Ian Ritchie and created in 1996, it has quickly become recognized as a French Jardin Remarquable.
The 13 terraces explore the significance, folklore, and origins of gardens in a uniquely post-modern fashion.
15. Limousin Specialties
The Denoix distillery also produces another local delicacy, moutard violette, a condiment made from a by-product of grape fermentation.
This unique product gains its dark violet hue and pairs wonderfully with local black pudding.
Figs, which form part of the diet for foie gras geese and ducks, can be purchased at the market, often stuffed with foie gras.
Late summer signifies mushroom season, and the local chanterelles are superb.
They are particularly delicious alongside one of Corrèze’s quintessential dishes, milk-fed veal.
