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!
Lovers of history and heritage are met in Dorat.
Among the must, must obviously mention first the Cathedral Saint-Pierre, in Romanesque style, dating mainly from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Like the rest of the city, it was fortified in the fifteenth. Known as the largest in the center of France, first observed outside its tower lantern surmounted by a golden angel (XIII), its Notre Dame tower and the gate. Inside the crypt, monumental stairs and tank of font pre-Romanesque period are first rate. However, the treasure of the building remains its reliquaries that conserve the relics of Saint Israel and Saint Theobald and are subject to ostensions every seven years this tradition has been a classification as the intangible cultural Heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Ceremonies and processions take place then in the college and the city, with highlights that extend from Easter to June. The next expositions will take place in 2023.
Free visit every day, guided tour of the crypt in July and August and guided tour of the college: information +33 5 44 25 46 77.
In the town itself, then, is to see the door Bergere (XV) to the west, the only remaining of the old wall. Watchtowers and battlements are characteristic of that time. The assembly is perfectly preserved.
The ancient walls and castle ruins (destroyed during the Wars of Religion) where the garden was laid Santillana del Mar (Spanish twin city), the old streets lined with mansions (Saint-Savin house Raymond Camels street or hotel Boucheul (XVIII) in the Grand Rue), the Saint-Jean and its noble houses dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth with their mansard roofs are proving true marvels of architecture and ornamentation.
Then a special mention for the hotel in La Pouge, St. Michael Street, the residence of Lieutenant General of the Seneschal. a watch tower resting on granite is observed lookout windows, the wooden cladding of the roof of chestnut, the door and its Ionic capital and above, an oculus that overcomes a console decorated with acanthus leaves.
Really rich, the town still has the monumental fountain Lapayrière (XIX), the former Carmel (XIX) and its garden remain the ramparts, the memorial erected in 1929 shaped lantern of the dead...
Finally, we can also mention the former Hospice of Grandchamp, southeast of the city, high in the late nineteenth century and whose chapel was closed.
Guided tours of the Small town character are offered throughout the year for groups to learn +33 5 55 68 12 79 and for individuals and families, contact the +33 5 44 25 46 77.
As for recreation, the town has a cinema associations that program regularly, especially, a film rated Arthouse. Price: 5 and 6.50 euros. Information +33 5 55 60 66 59.
To book a tennis court, call +33 5 55 60 76 81.
Le Dorat acquired also a great reputation in terms equestrian sports. In limit of the neighboring commune of Saint-Ouen-sur-Gartempe, Racecourse Sagne hosts three meetings a year (in June, July and August) resulting in paris. Information +33 5 55 68 00 23.
Finally, for hikers, whether on foot, bicycle or horse, the town (the town and especially its surrounding countryside) offers many marked trails are dotted with heritage elements of nature and landscapes bucolic. Maps and information +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.
