The former fiefdom of the Counts of Turenne, the medieval village of Collonges-la-Rouge, nestling some twenty kilometres to the south of Brive-la-Gaillarde, surrounded by peaceful, green countryside planted with chestnut and walnut trees, will enchant you with its picturesque charm and its famous red sandstone.
From the old grain and wine hall built in the 16th century to the magnificent houses with thackstone and slate roofs, through the Flat Gate (Porte Plate) and the fortified church, you're sure to be won over by the beauty of this famous Corrèze town with its twenty-five towers. Lovers of beautiful stone buildings can enjoy a stroll along its pleasant streets lined with smart façades. A genuine journey through time, a walk around the village will not only show you the remarkable Church of St. Peter, with its splendid 12th-century tympanum carved out of white Turenne limestone and its imposing gabled Romanesque bell tower, but also some lavish 15th and 16th-century houses crowned with towers and turrets. Vassinhac castle with its elegant mullioned windows, the Ramade de Friac house flanked by two watchtowers, Benge castle with its machicolation remains and its graceful Renaissance window, or Maussac castle and its pretty doorway with a canopy are among the architectural treasures that you can admire on your walk.
In this place, officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, you can also visit the Chapel of the Penitents, which dates from the early 15th century, or the picturesque Mermaid House (Maison de la Sirène), which contains a small museum of popular arts and traditions with a reconstruction of a period interior.
Medieval village of Corrèze, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Collonges-la-Rouge takes place about twenty kilometers from Brive-la-Gaillarde, on the Causse Corrézien, near the Dordogne valley and Périgord. Ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, it is located in the countryside planted with chestnut and walnut trees, near Meyssac, Ligneyrac and Saillac.
This former stronghold of the Counts of Turenne, recognizable by its red sandstone buildings, developed mainly in the Middle Ages, in particular with the creation of a priory at the end of the 8th century. Capital of the region in the 16th century, the city then enjoyed its great century with the construction of many noble homes. Transformed into a stone quarry in the 19th century following the exodus of the inhabitants, the village of Collonges-la-Rouge subsequently regained its dynamism, in particular through the Aquitaine mixed culture or the breeding of geese.
Centered on tourism from the middle of the 20th century, this magnificent city is also at the origin of the creation of the label Plus beaux villages de France.
Travel back in time through the small medieval streets, while admiring the magnificent castles and towers fortified in red sandstone.
While strolling in the heart of the village with red stones, you will appreciate the charm of a traditional architecture with warm colors. Nicknamed the city of twenty-five towers, the village of Collonges-la-Rouge has a great wealth of historical heritage.
Built at the end of the 16th century, the Henri IV hall is a former grain and wine hall which bears witness to the town's economic wealth in the past. It still houses a common oven, and its covered passage is now listed as a Historic Monument.
As you walk through the alleys, be sure to admire the many listed or listed buildings such as the Maison de la Sirène, which today serves as the headquarters of the Association des Amis de Collonges and the arts museum. and popular traditions. In particular, you will be able to admire there, in addition to the heterogeneous collections, a Gothic entrance door, crossed windows or even sculpted bases representing a mermaid and a man riding a dolphin.
The 16th century priory with its facade with balcony on brackets or the former sisters' house, which dates from the same period, also deserve your attention, as do the Bonyt house, the Boutang du Peyrat house, the Julliot house., the Dey house or the Poignet and Salvant houses.
At the bend of a street, you will discover the old 16th century court, listed, the old town hall with parts of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, inscribed, as well as a large number of castles and manors which testify to the wealth of the city. Do not miss the manor of Vassinhac, the castle of Friac, the castle of Benge, the castel Maussac, the castle of Breuil, the castle of Martret, the manor of Beauvirie and the castle of Beauregard.
After discovering the remains of the 14th century fortified wall with the Priory gate and the Plate gate, you can admire the Saint-Pierre church. Entirely in red sandstone, the 11th century building was enlarged and fortified at the very end of the Middle Ages. It has a Romanesque bell tower with gables and takes place not far from the 14th century Chapel of the Black Penitents. Formerly the property of the priory of Collonges, it has undergone major restoration campaigns to regain its former glory.
The town has a service area for motorhomes at the Le Marchadial car park. Paid parking, free services. Open all year round (water cut off during frost). Phone. Town Hall: + 33 (0) 555 254 109.
- Exhibitions are regularly offered in the vaulted cellars of the town hall.
- The animations of the votive festival take place in mid-May.
- The flower festival at the end of May is an opportunity to discover a large number of species.
- The comic book fair is held the first weekend of July with the presence of many authors
- From mid-July to mid-August, the town offers its theatricals, an open-air theater festival held every Tuesday evening at 9:30 p.m.
- The annual bread festival is organized on the first Sunday in August with the lighting of the banal oven in the old hall.
- The annual festival of plastic arts and crafts is held in mid-August.
- In September, on the occasion of Heritage Days, Collonges-la-Rouge organizes its Venetian parade, including a Renaissance show and walks by volunteers in period costumes.
- In October, up to the soup festival and its tastings.
Exposition "Un Monde en Surimpression" au Château de Vassinhac
- From 2 may to 31 july 2024
- 38 rue de la Garde
- Exhibition by visual artist Mika Dominguez, who works in silver, using the technique of overprinting directly on negative. "I explore the infinite possibilities of modifying reality without erasing it (characters, silhouettes, architectural elements, textures)" - Price included in château visit
Les Théâtrales de Collonges-la-Rouge - 34ème Edition
- From 9 july to 13 august 2024
- Every Tuesday at the Théâtre de Verdure, a play will be performed in the open air in Collonges la Rouge
"Le Triomphe d'Arlequin" de Carlo Boso - Les Théâtrales
- On 16 july 2024
- Place du Lavoir
- The Open Air Theatre Festival offers every Tuesday of the summer at 9:30 pm, a show for all audiences.
"Juanito ou Comment Devenir Justicier" une Création Collective - Les Théâtrales de Collonges-la-Rouge
- On 23 july 2024
- Place du Lavoir
- The Open Air Theatre Festival offers every Tuesday of the summer at 9:30 pm, a show for all audiences.
