The 13 essential things to do in Corrèze

You dream of getting green after these months of containment? Visit the Corrèze between nature, culture and gastronomy.

La Corrèze is a department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Located west of the Central Massif, watered by the Corrèze and Dordogne rivers, its two main cities are Brive-la-Gaillarde and Tulle. Especially famous for giving us two former Presidents of the Republic, it is fortunately not his only asset! Indeed, visiting the Corrèze offers both beautiful hiking landscapes, five of the most beautiful villages in France, preserved natural sites, an important historical and artistic heritage and a gastronomy that will delight the delicate palaces.

So if you ask that to do in Corrèze, don't look anymore! In addition, throughout the year, you can attend many cultural events and festivals.

Convinced? So it’s gone for a tourist and cultural holiday, but also sporty and natural. Discover the 13 essential things to do in Corrèze!

1. The Denoix distillery

Since 1839, the Denoix distillery has been specialized in the preparation and distillation of liqueur based on the famous nuts of Corrèze and plants. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to discover the 180 years of history of this labellized company of the Living Heritage.

Thus, after the journey through the chalk explaining the process of work of green walnut, maceration and distillation, place to... The tasting commented! You can then enjoy the specialties of the Denoix House such as the Supreme Liqueur or the Brive Fenouillette. One. must when we visit the Corrèze!

2. The villages

France has 159 more beautiful villages in France and Corrèze has five in its own. Classified for their beauty, charm and authenticity, they are true wonders to discover If you're going to visit the Correze.

By walking in their old stones, you will discover the corezian soul to:

• Collonges-la-Rouge is probably the best known. All built of red stones, the medieval city with 25 towers will give you the impression of being out of time.
• Curemontethe village with three churches and three castles. Located on a rocky grove, ancient Gallo-Roman city, it really deserves the detour.
• Saint Robert, the millennium medieval city that served as a decor to the TV series Grives to the Wolves. His Benedictine monastery is worth a look.
• Ségur-le-Château, strong square nestled in a loop of the river Auvézère. Dominate by the ruins of the old fortified castle, the village is truly charming.
• Turenne is located between Collonges-la-Rouge and Curemonte. This is still a medieval city. As you walk through its streets, you can admire many beautiful residences and special hotels.

3. Walking on the steps of Georges Brassens to the market of Brive-la-Gaillarde

If you are looking for something to do in Corrèze on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, visit the famous Brive market sung by Georges Brassens:

But reassure yourself, the mood is usually better than in the song! You can salvage in local products and taste local specialities before returning to the Corrèze. Nuts, foie gras, local liqueurs (with moderation of course) and mushrooms tend your arms!

4. The “Remarkable Garden” at the Arboretum Al Gaulhia

The visit of the Arboretum Al Gaulhia is really a must-see in Corrèze. Located near Espartignac, this place of 10 hectares labeled “Remarkable Garden” is indeed a haven of peace and greenery. You can admire many tree species, some of which are more than three hundred years old and are classified as "remarkable trees of France".

In addition, the arboretum has more than eighty species of bamboo, ferns and many aquatic plants such as nenuphars, lotus and other nympheas. In a word, if you will visit the Corrèze, don't miss this peaceful and green place.

5. The gardens of Colette

Perhaps by going to visit the Correze, you didn’t expect to fall on a garden tracing the universe of the Burgundian writer Varetz. But you would be wrong to pass by this place that mixes literature and botany.

On five hectares, you will walk through a series of gardens that each represent a region of France where Colette lived. What are you looking for in Corrèze with your family? Then go! Indeed, in addition to the labyrinth-papillon, giant games (mikado, jenga...) are available to the public to share good times that we are small or large. A real good plan!

6. Brive Water Castle

If you're going to visit the Corrèze, you'll probably go through Brive. You will see the city’s water castle, one of its most emblematic buildings. Built in the 19th century to feed the fountains of the city, it is 22 meters high.

From the top of its 98 steps, it offers a wonderful view of the panorama of the surrounding area.

7. The Travassac pans

Lovers of nature and heritage? So don't look further at what to do in Corrèze: go visit the Travassac pans. This is a unique place in Europe: former slate quarries nestled in the heart of impressive cliffs. In this grandiose landscape, you will be able to discover the art of aardoisier and the process that has been used for nearly 400 years.

8. Murel waterfalls

For lovers of hiking in the middle of nature who will visit the Corrèze, you should not miss all the waterfalls of Murel waterfalls. Located near Albussac, the area is classified as an ecological interest.

There are four successive waterfalls, the highest measuring 25 metres high. Several hiking trails are available from Albussac or the village near Forgès.

9. Museum of President Jacques Chirac

If you are looking for an unusual visit to do in Corrèze, go to the museum of President Jacques Chirac in Sarran. You can admire all the gifts received by the former President of the Republic between 1995 and 2007. Statuette of sumotori, African masks, or santiags offered by Bill Clinton... This is a real inventory to the eclectic Prevert, beautiful and very fun.

10. The contemporary botanical garden of the brand Sothys

To visit the Corrèze, it is decidedly to fill nature and gardens. The Sothys luxury cosmetics brand has been offering a wonderful example since 2007. On 4 hectares, Sothys presents the history of the Mas family which created the brand and shows the plant world and the plants behind its products.

The labeled "Remarkable Garden", different theme courses will take you to sensory escapades inspired by the world of cosmetics: scents, sun, velvet, skin... A must-see visit to Corrèze to bring home « terroir products » of a different kind... Or offer them to your friends!

11. The towers of Merle

One of the most beautiful walks in Corrèze is the one that will lead you to the spectacular towers of Merle. Indeed, nestled in an incredible landscape, the medieval city of the 12th century is composed of seven towers. They dominate from (very) the valley of the Maronne River from a steep rocky sparrow.

In the middle of a dense forest, their exceptional situation will certainly take you out of admiration! In addition, with a little luck, pet lovers will be able to observe royal milans, pilgrim faucons, genettes... A must in the Corrèze!

12. Hiking

The Corrèze is truly a "green" destination par excellence. Outside the cities, you will find vast wild landscapes and a preserved nature. So what better way to discover it than to go hiking? Here are three examples of easy-to-do routes in Corrèze for those of you who want to get rid of the calves:

The Longeyroux peat

Among the very diverse ecosystems that can be admired in Corrèze, there is that of the Longeyroux peatland. An acid environment of 250 hectares, a particular fauna and flora developed there. Thus during the walk, there are many rare and protected species, including otters.

Two interpretive trails will allow you to admire the site while respecting this fragile natural environment: the “Linaigrettes Trail” (1km) and the “Brother Trail” (9km).

The Simone de Beauvoir Trail

If you are looking for something to do in Corrèze that combines nature and culture, then this course is for you! At the start of Uzerche, this small 5-kilometre loop will allow you to better discover the work and life of Simone de Beauvoir. The walk is punctuated with informative plaques on his life and his work so vast.

But why here? Well, because the actress Memories of a young girl in row spent her vacation in Corrèze in the area, when she was a child.

Paradise Road

This beautiful hike between causses, rivers and forests is the one that will make you cross the widest range of landscapes. Indeed, on 13 kilometers you can admire the Plateau de Millevaches , the valley of the Dordogne , Curemonte, one of the most beautiful villages in France... And even the village of Paradise, which is worth the trip, would it be for her so pretty name!

13. Local specialties

Finally, after all these walks, you will have a little hollow, that’s for sure. But here's a good news for you, the Corrèze is full of varied culinary delights (but not necessarily light...)! In restaurants, bakeries and markets of the region, discover the vintage, country wines, recipes based on ceps, bits, truffles or foie gras.

Do you already have water in your mouth? You're right, because tasting gastronomy is really a thing to do in Corrèze!

How to get to Corrèze?

By plane

The plane is not the most convenient way to visit the Corrèze because the department is relatively unserved. Nevertheless, since Paris Three daily flights will take you to the Brive Vallée de la Dordogne airport. To find the most suitable route to your budget, do not hesitate to use a flight comparison like for example Ulysses .

By train

If you prefer to visit the Corrèze by train, you will only have the embarrassment of choice because it is very well served by the railway network. For example, since Limoges, Bordeaux , Toulouse or Paris, you can arrive in the stations of Brive, Tulle, Ussel, Uzerche to mention only the main ones. Similarly, once on site, a dense TER network will allow you to visit even small villages quite easily.

By bus

The bus is probably the most economical solution to visit the Corrèze from a wide variety of places. Wherever you come from, many companies serve the department like Flixbus, BlaBlaBus, Eurolines or Isilines.

By car

However, the most practical way to visit the Corrèze during his holidays remains the car. In fact, two highways make it easy to reach. Thus, from Paris, Toulouse or Limoges, you will borrow the A20 , which is even free on a portion of the journey. On the other hand, from Bordeaux, Lyon or Clermont-Ferrand, you will take the A89 .

Where to stay in Corrèze?

Depending on what you want to do in Corrèze, you have several possibilities to stay according to your budget and your tastes. You will thus have the choice between Gîtes de France, small hotels, campings of all classes and, of course, a wide choice of accommodation Airbnb ... To choose the solution that best suits you, do not hesitate to use Compare hotels .

For an idyllic setting, Collonges-la-Rouge is the place not to be missed. On the other hand, Brive and Tulle will prevail to you if the practical side prevails in your mind.

So, when are you visiting the Correze?