Top 10 things to do in Brive-la-Gaillarde and its surroundings

Between old stones, waterfalls, springs and chasms, the Corrèze offers an ideal setting for getting away from it all. Brive-la-Gaillarde, the largest city in the department, is a pleasant starting point to discover the heritage. 10 kilometers from Périgord and 15 kilometers from Lot, the location is perfect for nature lovers. Get ready, we'll take you to discover the Gaillarde Brive and its surroundings.

Opening photo: AdobeStock Unclesam-brive

1- Brive-la-Gaillarde

One cannot visit the surroundings of the city without starting with Brive-la-Gaillarde itself, named for its fortification of the Middle Ages when, at the time, "gaillard" meant fortified. Old Brive is very pleasant to discover with its narrow streets and historic buildings. 19th century Empreinte theatre, Saint-Libéral Chapel and 16th century district with its middle-class houses with turrets, keep your eyes wide open so you don't miss a thing. If you visit on a market day, go to the Georges Brassens hall, a must in Brive with regional products and local gastronomic specialties.

2- The Labenche Museum in Brive-la-Gaillarde

Right in the city center of Brive, enter an atypical museum in a Renaissance mansion. Spread over fifteen rooms, the exhibitions relate its historical journey, its archeology and the heritage of the city. Its unique collections in France, such as the 10 tapestries from the Royal English factory of Mortlake from the 17th century or the piano that belonged to Claude Debussy, have earned it the name of "Musée de France", a very rare designation in the territory.

3- Brive Lighthouse

Let's go back to the Place de la Guierle to observe a surprising lighthouse, that of Brive. Built in 1834, the building is an old water tower which allowed the use of water from the canal to supply the fountains of the town. Today a must when visiting Brive, it is the starting point for each circuit since it hosts the city's tourist office.

4- The Denoix distillery in Brive

Let's stay in Brive for a while longer to taste a delicious liqueur made by the Denoix distillery. An emblematic site of the 19th century, the workshop bears the “Living Heritage Company” label, where master liqueur makers use their ancestral know-how to produce rare local walnut liqueurs. In mid-July, don't miss the grinding and pressing of green walnuts, a unique moment of conviviality in the year to make local liqueurs and aperitifs.

5- Colette's Garden in Varetz

Let's continue with an atypical place 15 minutes from Brive, near Varetz, at the Jardin de Colette. A unique concept in Corrèze, it delights young and old alike with its giant games, a gigantic 5-hectare maze, vegetable gardens, animals, etc. In homage to the novelist Colette, fall back into childhood for a day between the 6 gardens, treasure hunts and various anecdotes about the writer.

6- The Pans of Travassac near Brive

To the north of Brive, near Donzenac, discover the world of slate workers on the incredible site of Pans de Travassac. On a former slate quarry, observe these large rock blades in their raw state during an unusual walk in the open air. Unique in Europe, the visit lasts 1h30, a very short time to appreciate all the ancestral know-how of the craftsmen who have been working since the 17th century.

7- The Gouffre de la Fage near Brive

We cross Brive again in the other without in the direction of Noailles, to discover the Gouffre de la Fage. His visit has several purposes, including that of living a fantastic caving experience on a site divided into two galleries. Draperies in bright colors, calcite bridges, stalactites and column, the only abyss of Corrèze offers a magnificent mineral spectacle. Classified as a Natura 2000 site, the mission is to protect the biodiversity of the place and to preserve the fauna and flora intact, where 14,000 bats have taken up residence.

8- Causse Lake

We stay in the area to go to the Causses lake, an incredible natural setting and ideal for swimming and water activities. canoeing, paddle or pedalo, have fun on an 84 hectare body of water before lounging on the beach or the shaded areas of the nautical base.

9- The Caves of Saint-Antoine near Brive

Less than 10 minutes south of Brive-la-Gaillarde, live a unique experience in the sanctuary of the caves of Saint-Antoine. A welcome step on the way to Santiago de Compostela, they were partly dug by hand to become a place of hermitage and pilgrimage often used by Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue. On a 5-hectare wooded park, walk as you did in those days to the caves and admire the sublime view overlooking the city. Hotel, restaurant and souvenir shop are now accessible during your visit.

10- Villages around Brive-la-Gaillarde

We scatter around Brive to discover some of the most beautiful villages in France. In a green setting, Turenne is a medieval village where the alleys lead to the discovery of a rich historical past. Saint-Robert, located on a hill, is the medieval city par excellence. Authentic and full of character, it benefits from one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Yssandonnais. Collonges-la-Rouge is a flamboyant city where the red sandstone offers a colorful and original spectacle which contrasts with the green of the Corrèze countryside. Church, old hall and chapel, there is a whole heritage to discover. Finally, Donzenac is a charming 12th century stopover town, one of the oldest villages in Corrèze. Winding streets, old houses with grey-blue slates and fortified gates, dive into the past in the heart of the Terres Gaillardes.

It will surely take more than a weekend to discover all the hidden treasures in Brive-la-Gaillarde and its surroundings. Now that you have all the addresses, all you have to do is organize your departure to this welcoming and sunny region , ideal for lovers of nature and old stones.

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