Standing majestically on a rocky overhang above a meander of the River Vézère, the beautiful Corrèze town of Uzerche welcomes you for a fabulous journey amid its historic heritage.
An unassailable stronghold, once located on the border between Upper and Lower Limousin, Uzerche played an important role in the Carolingian era and the Middle Ages due to its strategic position and its imposing fortifications: at the time it was known as "Uzerche la pucelle" ("Uzerche the virgin"), as it had never been conquered.
Boasting some truly remarkable architecture, the medieval town also known as the Pearl of the Limousin has a heritage circuit created by the Tourist Office. This walking itinerary dotted with explanatory plaques will lead you to discover its old houses, majestic towers and picturesque vaulted passages. Along your walk, you will also be able to see Bécharie castle, a defensive complex from the 15th century that was remodelled in the 16th and 17th centuries and is a listed Historic Monument, as well as a doorway in the old fortified wall, known as the Bécharie gate.
Another flagship edifice along the trail is the Abbey Church of St. Peter, a gem of Limousin Romanesque art that was fortified during the Hundred Years War. Its choir with ambulatory is adorned with capitals carved with plant patterns. Its 11th-century crypt, one of the oldest in the Limousin, echoes the dimensions of the choir, ambulatory and chapels. Not far from there, on Place des Vignerons, you can see the 12th-century tower of the Black Prince. As you walk along the typical narrow streets of Uzerche, you will also have the opportunity to admire some beautiful homes like Tayac castle, Eyssartier house, Chavailles mansion, Pontier castle or an old timber-framed house on Rue Pierre Chalaud. And for a restful little break, head to the welcoming Esplanade de la Lunade and its benches, where you can enjoy a scenic view of the Vézère and the surrounding hills!
The natural environment, which is all around the picturesque Uzerche, also takes the form of terrace gardens supported by walls and laden with flowers, orchards and vegetable patches. Open to the public, the Bécharie garden located down from the famous Bécharie gate offers a pleasant green place to sit and contemplate Uzerche's heritage from another angle.