What to see in France

Corrèze, travel through time and camp in a green land

Lever de soleil en Corrèze
Lever de soleil en Corrèze

 

Named after the river that runs through it, Corrèze is a department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Situated in the south of the Massif Central, it attracts those who are looking for greenery, peace and quiet and waterways, as the Vézère and Dordogne rivers also flow through it, but also those who have a thirst for old stones, with an admirable built heritage and charming villages classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. An area that will attract camping enthusiasts.

Campsites in Corrèze with a swimming pool

There are almost 100 campsites in Corrèze where you can enjoy a perfectly organised, relaxing holiday. Below is a selection of campsites in Corrèze, designed for nature lovers, to help you choose the establishment that best matches your criteria:

Flower Camping La Plage in Treignac, in the heart of the Plateau de Millevaches Regional Nature Park

Located in Treignac, La Plage *** campsite welcomes you to the shores of Lake Bariousses, with direct access to the beach. Open from April to the end of September, it has more than 130 pitches and around 15 rental units. You can enjoy sports and outdoor activities such as mini-golf, kayaking, windsurfing, pedalos and walks organised on site, as well as evening dances. Finally, there is a beautiful heated swimming pool which can be opened out, as well as a paddling pool and water games. There is also a service area for camper vans inside the campsite, with an artisanal bollard. An ideal campsite for enjoying the Plateau des Millevaches.

Camping du Lac in Marcillac-la-Croisille

Camping du Lac *** Open from March to November, Camping du Lac is situated on the shores of Lac de la Valette and has almost 120 pitches in the middle of the Correze forest. Direct access to the beach and water sports activities are available. There's also a lovely swimming pool. This is the perfect campsite for those who enjoy fishing and hiking, as well as the Marcillac Sport Nature resort, which offers great water sports and outdoor activities.

Camping de Corrèze with mobile homes

Collonges-la-Rouge *** campsite is ideal for visiting one of the most beautiful villages in France. It has a beautiful water park with a heated swimming pool with slide and a wide range of activities. The establishment offers a wide range of top-of-the-range accommodation, including magnificent premium ecolodges and fully equipped mobile homes.

Selection of 4-star campsites in Corrèze :

Camping Soleil d'Oc at Monceaux-sur-Dordogne

Au Soleil d'Oc campsite **** where you can stay in the verdant surroundings of a typical old farmhouse with plenty of entertainment. The campsite, open between April and November, is situated on the banks of the Dordogne in a picturesque village full of charm between the Auvergne and Périgord. Ideal if you're looking for relaxation or activities, as both are on offer. The campsite also has a swimming pool, a paddling pool and water games. Lazing by the waterside, mini-golf, stand-up paddle and canoeing - the choice is yours!

Camping Le Gibanel at Argentat-sur-Dordogne

Camping Le Gibanel **** is open from May to the end of September. Set in the forest on the banks of the Dordogne in Corrèze, it offers an infinite variety of landscapes. The campsite has a number of mobile homes and tents to rent, as well as a beautiful aquatic area with a large swimming pool and a paddling pool. Here you can enjoy a host of water-based activities such as canoeing and pedal-boating, while your children have fun at the mini-club. Shows and other evening events are organised in season.

 

Camping Huttopia Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne **** Situated in the Dordogne valley and surrounded by cultural highlights such as Rocamadour and the Padirac chasm, the campsite is open to campers from April to the end of September, with a lovely swimming pool and paddling pool for the little ones and a programme of activities for all. As for rental accommodation, apart from the classic mobile homes, don't delay in discovering the Arizona caravans (half tent, half caravan) as well as tents on stilts and canvas bungalows. In July, don't miss the open-air Son et Lumières show at Gimel-les-Cascades (30 km away).

 

Discover the Corrèze during your camping holidays

Collonges La Rouge, the medieval city with 25 towers

One word comes to mind describing this place: originality. Former domain of the Counts of Turenne, the picturesque red sandstone stones of the medieval village are a real enchantment. Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, the walk is a pleasure for the eyes thanks to the narrow streets with red facades and lauze roofs, the old grain and wine market, the turrets of the magnificent 15th century houses, the Penitents' chapel where the superb Saint-Pierre church and the sculpted tympanum of its portal are all testimonies of the past which give the impression of taking a step back in time.

Collonges-la-Rouge
Collonges-la-Rouge© iStock

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the Limousin Riviera

Situated in the south of the Corrèze, in the upper valley of the Dordogne, it is a magnificent medieval town built on the right bank of the Dordogne. Right on the water's edge is the famous chapel of the Penitents which is reflected in the Dordogne. Gabare trips are available between May and October. Then, as you enter the old town, you will discover the superb Renaissance house, classified as a Historic Monument, with its decorated facade, and you can visit the interior. It is a delight to stroll through the narrow streets around the old houses and admire this Benedictine abbey dating from the 9th century. The village was classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France in 2022 and you should also know that the strawberry festival takes place in May, an event not to be missed.

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne© IStock

The Merle Towers, a journey through time

Perched in the middle of the green forests of the Xaintrie, the town of Merle is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Mostly in ruins, it is a group of fortified houses built between the 11th and 15th centuries and now classified as a Historic Monument. The fortress city is open to visitors between April and November and allows them to discover a reconstructed peasant farm, an orchard and a medieval garden as well as magnificent views of the fortified square. During the summer, there are night-time or playful visits as well as creative workshops.

Turenne and its rich medieval past

Another village on the list of the most beautiful villages in France! It seems to be a habit in Corrèze and this is not to the displeasure of the visitors who will undoubtedly be enchanted by this exploration which starts at the bottom and leads to the castle, a historical monument of the 13th century and residence of the lords of Turenne. During the visit, you will discover splendid narrow streets, the Maison des Chanoines, the Porte de Mauriolles as well as charming old houses. Below the castle, the collegiate church of Notre-Dame Saint-Pantaléon and the chapel of the Capuchin convent are to be admired. Finally, once you have reached your goal, you will have to climb to the top of one of the two towers of the castle, the César tower, to enjoy a sumptuous panorama of the green nature of the Corrèze.

Turenne
Turenne© IStock

The Gimel waterfalls, a Natura 2000 site

The Gimel waterfalls, located 11 km from Tulle, are both unusual and typical of the Limousin region. They form a grandiose triptych, nestled in the heart of a natural site. The three waterfalls can be discovered one after the other as you walk along, the highest of which, the Queue de Cheval, reaches 60 metres! If you continue the walking tour of the Vullier park, you will also be able to admire the magnificent gorges. The village is also worth a visit and the view of the waterfalls from the stone bridge is splendid. The park is privately owned and is only accessible between March and October.

Gouffre de la Fage, both entertaining and educational

Also classified Natura 2000, the Fage chasm is near Brive-la-Gaillarde. Divided into two different galleries, one dives to a depth of 25 metres to explore petrified waterfalls, organs and draperies of many colours as well as columns and other stalactites. The site is known to be home to one of the largest colonies of bats in Europe. A bewitching place where a sound and light show, animations and workshops for children and a documentary on bats are proposed.

Uzerche, the pearl of the Limousin

Labelled the Most Beautiful Detours of France and nicknamed the Pearl of Limousin by the British writer Arthur Young, the medieval town of Uzerche has a heritage trail to follow on foot to discover the Saint-Pierre abbey church, whose 11th century crypt is one of the oldest in Limousin, the Bécharie castle and its gateway, as well as its garden below, the 12th century Black Prince's tower and magnificent houses such as the Eyssartier house. There is a splendid view of the Vézère from the esplanade de la Lunade.

Uzerche
Uzerche© IStock

Tulle, the city of seven hills

Famous for its lace (the famous tulle for wedding veils!) Tulle is also the capital of the accordion, which is celebrated here every year in September during the Nuits de Nacre festival. The capital of Corrèze, what a pleasure to stroll through the old Trech district to admire the Notre-Dame cathedral with the highest bell tower in Limousin, its gothic cloister right next to it and its pretty garden, the old corbelled houses, the Loyac house, a magnificent residence, its turrets and its beautifully decorated facade.

The places to see in Corrèze are endless, but if you are lucky enough to be able to extend your stay by a few hours, Saint-Robert, Ségur-le-Château and Curemonte, all three of which were elected among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, are a must-see.

Ségur-le-Château
Ségur-le-Château© IStock

 

 

 

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