Visit Aubazine and its superb Canal des Moines

Aubazine is a very pretty perched village, which dominates the gorges of Coiroux (or Coyrou) located between Brive-la-Gaillarde and Tulle. People come here to take a walk and above all to discover the Canal des Moines, an astonishing and very innovative work at the time of its construction. This is an opportunity for an easy and pleasant family walk with very beautiful landscapes, and as a result a somewhat magical environment where water is an omnipresent element. Come and stroll through the alleys of the charming Aubazine!

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The Village of Aubazine, its Abbey and its picturesque little streets

Aubazine is organized around its Cistercian Abbey. To visit the village, park near the Abbey. If you feel like it, stop for a coffee or a drink on a terrace near the plane trees, then embark on a nice trip. Start with the village, we will then go to the Canal des Moines, the must-see of the village!

It is the Abbey which is at the origin of the village and which punctuated its life, also allowing its opening up. In the village, 13 information stations are scattered, you can find a booklet to discover them at the Tourist Office. You can also have fun looking for stations by browsing through the village. The Monastery was founded in the 12th century, you can visit it and discover the different buildings that make it up. Just next door on the same square is the abbey church which dates from the 12th century. Enter the church to discover particularly remarkable furniture.

The village is steep, you visit it by following its narrow streets which are lined with low walls, hiding from view the interior of the pretty village houses, surmounted by elegant porches, sometimes a little austere. Do not hesitate to get lost there, to come across inhabitants of this timeless place, sometimes cows and to enjoy pretty views towards the Abbey. You are on the playground of Coco Chanel, who grew up here, in the orphanage of the Monastery where she was left at the age of 6. It is said that this place inspired his work.

The Aubazine Monks Canal

After visiting the village, go up to the Monastery, behind the church towards the Canal des Moines. There was no water naturally brought here, for the use of the Monks of the Monastery and the inhabitants, when in the 12th century, they settled. Never mind, the ingenuity of the Monks solved this problem by organizing the construction of a canal (a large channel), which winds through the mountain for 1700m, to capture the water of the Coyrou, the torrent which flows nearby, to the village. The 0.5% slope allows a continuous and controlled flow. It is a marvelous example of the engineering of the time, as well as a work of art.

The Canal des Moines is freely accessible all year round, a very nice walk is possible along the Canal, going up the current to the water intake in the Coyrou waterfalls. If the path rises slightly at the beginning, it is then rather flat and easy to walk. Very beautiful views of the gorges and the surrounding hills await you. Guided tours are organized in season by the Tourist Office to find out more about the construction of the Canal.

The Canal and the path that runs alongside it are a real feat for the time. At an altitude of 360m, part is sometimes retained by a retaining wall which then plunges steeply into the Valley 40m below. We will sometimes see that the rock has been split to allow the flow of water without bypassing it.

to discover near Aubazine

To go swimming, refresh yourself after your visit to Aubazine, do not miss to discover the Lac du Coiroux or (a little further) the pretty Lac de Miel. The pretty viewpoint of Roche de Vic next to Beynat, will not fail to seduce lovers of pretty photos, you can see 360 degrees as far as the Monts d'Auvergne!

Viewpoint of Roche de Vic and Lac du Coiroux

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