Le Dorat is a town in the Haute-Vienne region in New Aquitaine, 10 km north of Bellac 50 km north of Limoges.
Covering an area of 17 km², its wet and green territory that crosses the river that borders the Courthoizon and Brame northwest part of the historical region of Basse Marche, an entity under the old plan of the province and County Walk, which mainly consisted of current department of Creuse and the north of the Haute-Vienne.
Le Dorat develops from the tenth and eleventh centuries after the foundation of a church by Scottish missionaries then college. Counts of the March also establish a fort castle and the town is then surrounded by ramparts.
Le Dorat, stronghold strategic and religious, in the throes of the Hundred Years War and during the Wars of Religion, after three days of siege, a 15000 Huguenot army seizes this mecca Catholic. The abuses that follow will be terrible.
Despite these dark hours, Le Dorat will rise and kept nowadays an exceptional heritage. The town of about 1,700 inhabitants which are still implanted porcelain factories is now labeled Small City of Character: between picturesque streets and classified monuments, the visitor will travel more than a millennium of history while enjoying an offer varied leisure and surroundings for hiking. A great stopover!
History and heritage lovers are delighted at Le Dorat.
Among the must-sees, we must obviously first mention the collegiate church of Saint-Pierre, in Romanesque style, which dates mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries. Like the rest of the city, it was fortified in the 15th century. Reputed to be the largest in the center of France, we first observe from the outside its lantern tower surmounted by a gilded angel (13th century), its Notre-Dame tower and the gate. Inside, the crypt, the monumental staircase and the basin of the baptismal font from the pre-Romanesque period are of the first order. However, the treasury of the building remains its shrines which keep the relics of Saint Israel and Saint Theobald and which are the subject of ostensions every seven years: this tradition has been the subject of a classification under the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Ceremonies and processions then take place in the collegiate church and the town, with highlights extending from Easter to June. The next ostensions will take place in 2023.
Free visit every day, guided visit of the crypt in July and August and guided visit of the collegiate church: information on +33 5 44 25 46 77.
In the small town itself You can also see the Bergère gate (15th century), to the west, the only one remaining from the old enclosure. Its watchtowers and battlements are characteristic of the period. The set is perfectly preserved.
The old ramparts and remains of the castle (destroyed during the Wars of Religion) where the Santillana del Mar garden (spanish twin town) was laid out, the old alleys lined with mansions (Saint-Savin house rue Raymond-Chameaux or Hôtel Boucheul (18th century) in the Grand-Rue), the Place Saint-Jean and its noble residences dating from the 16th to the 18th century with their Mansard-style roofs are true marvels of architecture and ornamentation.
A special mention then for the Hôtel de La Pouge, rue Saint-Michel, where the lieutenant-general of the seneschalsy resided. There is a watchtower resting on granite, watchtower windows, the cladding of the chestnut wood roof, the door and its Ionic capital and above, an oculus surmounted by a console decorated with acanthus leaves.
Definitely very rich, the town still has the monumental Lapayrière fountain (19th century), the old carmel (19th century) and its garden where remains of the ramparts remain, the war memorial erected in 1929 in the form of a lantern for the dead...
Finally, we can still mention the old Hospice de Grandchamp, to the south-east of the city, erected at the end of the 19th century and whose chapel has been listed.
Guided tours of the Little City of Character are offered all year round: for groups, inquire on +33 5 55 68 12 79 and for individuals and families, call +33 5 44 25 46 77.
For this With regard to leisure, the town has an associative cinema, which regularly programs, in particular, films classified as Art and Essay. Price: 5 and 6.50 euros. Information on +33 5 55 60 66 59.
To reserve a tennis court, contact +33 5 55 60 76 81.
Le Dorat has also acquired a good reputation in terms of horse sports. On the edge of the neighboring town of Saint-Ouen-sur-Gartempe, the Sagne racecourse hosts three meetings a year (in June, July and August) giving rise to bets. Information on +33 5 55 68 00 23.
For hikers, whether on foot, by bike or on horseback, the town (its town and especially its surrounding countryside) offers a number of marked trails which are dotted with elements of heritage, natural sites and bucolic landscapes. Maps and information on +33 5 55 60 76 81.
The 3rd weekend in April, the town party with fun activities and music.
The second weekend in June, patronal feast.
The third weekend of August, the National Horse Show (jumping).
The first weekend of October, flea market.
In late October and early November, a week film festival.
The first Sunday of December, Christmas market.
Finally, note that farmers markets are offered on Thursdays in July and August and a trade fair is held the 13th of each month in the locality.
Visual and Oral Exhibition "The Life of Yesteryear In our Countryside" and Exhibition of Old Toys
- From 1 july to 30 september 2022
- Open every day from 15h to 18h at the Heritage House. Free entrance. Le Dorat Tourism and Heritage: +33 5 44 25 46 77 / ledoratour@gmail.com
