The best traffic-free bike rides around Cherveix-Cubas

Nice bridge and nice village

Hautefort Castle, located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town and village of Hautefort, is a rare example of classical architecture in the Dordogne. Built from the 16th to the 17th century on the foundations of an old castle, its architecture is reminiscent of the castles of the Loire. The construction, led by architects Nicolas Rambourg and Jacques Maigret, was intended for the family of the Marquis de Hautefort, close to the king and influential at Court, renowned for their generosity towards the poor. During the Revolution, the castle was protected by the inhabitants of Hautefort, who repelled a revolutionary troop from Excideuil wanting to destroy it. At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was in ruins, having lost its furniture, its woodwork and parquet floors. In 1929, it was bought by the Baron and Baroness de Bastard, who undertook a complete restoration. After the Baron's death in 1957, the Baroness continued the work alone. A fire in 1968 destroyed the central building, leaving only the charred exterior walls. Thanks to national and local generosity, as well as the support of personalities, Baroness de Bastard undertook a second restoration, even selling her works of art to finance the work. The facades, frames, ceilings, decorations and rooms were reconstructed identically from photos. The woodwork of the Château de Kerlaudy was recovered and the castle was completely refurnished. In 1977, Baroness de Bastard moved back into the castle and opened it to visitors. In 1984, she created the Château de Hautefort Foundation, to which she donated the building, its estate and its furniture. Today, the interiors not open to the public are still being restored. The French gardens, recreated by the baron and baroness, extend into terraces around the castle, with flowered boxwood embroidery beds and are classified as historic monuments. An English-style park of 30 hectares extends on the hill to the west of the castle.

Here, nature is exuberant, the shaggy moss and century-old boxwood refresh the walker, accompanied by the sound of flowing water. The dull roar of the Saut Ruban waterfall announces one of the most magical places in our forests, of which mouflons are the guardians. The discreet marked hiking trails guide you to the land of fairies and trolls. The Auvézère has its source in the Massif Central and winds westwards to enter the Dordogne where it flows into the Isle. With its unique fauna and flora, these crystalline and winding gorges, sometimes steep, are a hiker's paradise... It is between Savignac-Lédrier and Génis that it enters winding crystalline gorges that are sometimes very steep. They are equipped with particular flora and fauna, adapted to this very pronounced relief, with the mouflons as stars. The river offers majestic waterfalls, which reveal its torrential charm, notably that of Saut-Ruban in Saint-Mesmin. Experienced kayakers come here to train and organize national competitions.

The Abbey of Tourtoirac is a Romanesque building from the 11th century which experienced an important monastic life linked to the Abbey of Saint-Martial in Limoges, known in the 13th century for its cultural influence.

It’s Auvezre! And we often talk about the Auvezere Valley… go for a good walk, it’s magnificent there

The correct spelling is Auvézère

Beautiful route, varied landscape... The source (quelle) can be removed, that's not much....

The chapel of Savignac in ruins is a monument to see! The village of Savignac is also very pretty to visit.