Visit of Gimel-les-Cascades

If you are planning a holiday in Corrèze, you can be sure that everyone will advise you to visit Gimel-les-Cascades! It is certain that this pretty village is one of the ESSENTIALS of Corrèze. Charming, with craftsmen, small shops and restaurants, it is a green setting, which has the particularity of being the host of several waterfalls. There is a park to visit, but also somewhat secret waterfalls, to discover for free... You will spend a very nice day with the family in Gimel-les-Cascades, it is also a romantic place to discover with your chosen one). from your heart…

Photos of the article © Corrèze Guide

GIMEL-LES-CASCADES, VISIT THE VILLAGE

Gimel is not a big village, but it has many attractions for holidaymakers, but also locals who like to come here often for its relaxed lifestyle, its exceptional natural environment and its pretty free hikes to see the waterfalls.

Why Gimel? It is the Montane which flows through the village and which cascades in the gorges and valleys, but it is also called the Gimelle. It is a beautiful category 1 river, which evolves in a unique natural space, classified Natura 2000 Zone. Here, there are remarkable plant species and fauna, to be absolutely preserved. 130ha of great landscape diversity, steep reliefs, wild vegetation and within the river, trout, sculpin and lamprey (a very old fish, appreciated well cooked in good restaurants…).

GIMEL WATERFALLS, FREE OR PAID?

Visit Gimel-les-Cascades taking your time. A day or a good half-day with a stop at one of the restaurants in Gimel-les-Cascades, to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. Park your car at the top of the village and simply follow the road down to Parc Vuillier, this is the main tourist site in the village. In Gimel, there are several possibilities to enjoy the waterfalls:

Either you visit the Vuillier Park by paying the entrance fee (reasonable…), to see the first 3 waterfalls in a pretty park with a landscaped and secure path, accessible to the whole family (be careful, it is still steep, you need good motor skills to go down and especially go up the stairs).

Either you take a hike of about 1h30 which allows you to see a 4th waterfall. There are also the waterfalls which are visible in the forest around Gimel, after a short walk towards the toll bridge.

The Parc Vuillier is pleasant for a walk with the family or when you don't feel like hiking to enjoy beautiful views of the Gimel waterfalls. This park is named after Gaston Vuillier, a painter who contributed to the enhancement, notoriety and protection of this natural heritage. We walk on a path, with stairs. Sometimes it's a little steep and you have to hold on to the railing. No difficulty when you take your time, it's safe for children too. The first waterfall is Le Grand Saut (45m), then La Redole (38m) and Queue de Cheval (60m). During our visit, in the particularly dry summer season, the waterfalls were not very abundant, but still impressive! It is a refreshing, shady place and you can have a drink while admiring Le Grand Saut from the café in the park.

THE HERITAGE OF GIMEL LES CASCADES

The visit to the village does not stop at the waterfalls! You will have the pleasure of discovering very pretty points of view. Take the forest path that leads to the Pont du Péage, a structure dating from the Middle Ages that delimits the fortified town. In the small hamlet where this pretty stone bridge is located, there is also a mill with a thatched roof.

Continue the road to go up towards the ruins of the castle of La Roche Haute, one of the two castles of the city, but the only one whose vestiges are still visible. It is a festive place in summer. Enter inside to admire a beautiful view of the countryside and the mountain that unfolds under your feet!

As you walk down the main lane of the village, you will discover the Saint-Pardoux church which houses a treasure (the reliquary shrine of Saint-Étienne), as well as Notre-Dame du Rosaire (the Chapel of the White Penitents).

We wish you a pleasant visit to Gimel-les-Cascades!

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