Straddling Haute-Vienne and Dordogne, the Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park aims to protect and enhance the natural, cultural and architectural heritage of the region. The great diversity of its landscapes makes it a remarkable place of rivers, limestone plateaus, forests, cliffs, peat bogs, ponds... These preserved landscapes are home to a wide variety of wildlife, such as Eurasian hoopoes, hen harriers, ungulates and peregrine falcons. Try to catch a glimpse of them as you roam the many hiking trails that cross the territory. In total, nearly 2,000 kilometres of paths await you, some of which have a specific theme such as honey plants, bees or members of the rose family.

The part of the Natural Park located in Haute-Vienne boasts a truly wonderful built heritage. Examples include the castles of Châlus, Brie or Montbrun. Stop by the pretty medieval town of Rochechouart, dominated by its castle, and be amazed by the giant crater of a meteorite that crashed there more than 200 million years ago. When you get there, look up to the sky and admire the constant ballet of butterflies and birds flying over the plain.

To find out more about the Périgord-Limousin Park, there are 5 themed audioguide walks. You also have the opportunity to walk in complete safety along the 13 kilometres of the Hauts de Tardoire greenway. For a novel activity to enjoy with the family, head to Bussière-Galant and hop onto a railbike which will take you to discover the landscapes while riding along an old, disused railway line.

The Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park also puts on various festivals and organised outings. For example, you can take part in the Mushroom and Nature Days at Bussière-Galant in October, Automne Gourmand (an autumn food event) or Owl Night.

Overlooking the roofs of the city of Châlus, the Châlus-Chabrol castle consists of the keep, the remains of the chapel and the main building. The arrow that mortally wounded Richard of Lionheart, King of England, in 1199 was fired from this castle. His entrails are buried in the castle's old chapel.

A small museum dedicated to the profession of feuillardier (chestnut woodcutter), a beautiful panorama from the keep, as well as a medieval garden and a French-style formal garden complete the visit.

The charming medieval village of Le Chalard offers a magnificent 11th-century Romanesque church. This building, fortified during the Hundred Years war, boasts beautiful carved capitals as well as the tomb of Saint-Geoffroy, founder of this church.

At the foot of the chevet of the church, the Moines cemetery is a medieval cemetery which boasts forty tombs dating from the 12th century.

The church with its old wooden covered market hall, the Marthonie castle, the small bridge spanning the river and the houses with flower-covered facades make this a delightful place to wander around.

During the Floralies flower show, which takes place the second weekend of May, the medieval village of Saint-Jean-de-Côle is adorned with thousands of flowers.

In the heart of Limousin, in Haute-Vienne, Solignac Abbey tells us the story of its tumultuous past. It all began with its foundation by St. Eligius in 632, a time when the monks' daily life revolved around prayers and goldsmithery. Then from the 8th century onwards, it was repeatedly pillaged, first by the Saracens and then by the Normans. It was not until the 10th century that the abbey was left in peace. The construction of a Romanesque church in the 12th century restored the abbey's splendour. Contemplate the nave with its three vaulted bays, wide, flat buttresses and columns that rise up to the roof. Inside, you can also see domes, capitals decorated with sculptures and magnificent carved stalls.

From that period onwards, Solignac Abbey became one of the most important and powerful religious buildings in the region. The wealthy abbey enjoyed the king's protection, led many churches and owned a great deal of land. But the religious wars and peasant revolts in the 16th century spelled ruin for the abbey. Then in the 18th century, a fire destroyed part of the main building. The church is all that remains of it today.

Overlooking the Graine and Vayres Valley in Haute-Vienne, Rochechouart Castle reflects the power of the counts who inhabited it for nearly a millennium. Perched on a rocky promontory, this building subtly and harmoniously combines medieval and Renaissance styles. A keep and a drawbridge remain of the old medieval fortress. You only have to cross the drawbridge to find yourself in another era. There is a main building and ceremonial courtyard, surrounded by a beautiful 15th-century arcaded gallery and 16th-century Italian-influenced twisted columns. Welcome to the Renaissance. Inside the castle, two rooms contain incredible frescoes depicting hunting scenes and the tasks of Hercules.

The castle also houses the departmental museum of contemporary art, where the main themes are history, landscapes and the imagination. For those who are keen on history and old buildings, Rochechouart Castle is part of the Richard the Lionheart Route.

Did you know that Bonneval Castle in Haute-Vienne has been inhabited by the same family for over 1,000 years? So don't be surprised when you visit and are welcomed by the owners in person, the Marquis and Marquise de Bonneval. Although there was an initial building on the site in the 10th century, the present castle dates from the 14th century. Standing on its hill, it overlooks the charming village of Coussac-Bonneval and is one of the monuments on the Richard the Lionheart Route. On arrival, admire the four round machicolated towers and its magnificent inner courtyard dating from the Renaissance. On the east side, the façade has a central square tower with a double drawbridge, a terrace and a colonnaded gallery. Inside the castle, you can access two rooms where exceptional antique furniture from the time of Louis XIII and Louis XIV is on display, as well as beautiful tapestries.

Nontron, a town in Upper Périgord situated in the heart of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park, is famous for its knives. Made in the traditional way since 15th century, Nontron knives are unusual in they have boxwood handles. The Nontron knife factory is open to the public and introduces visitors to the various stages of production.

Nestling in a bend of the Auvézère, at the very heart of Corrèze, Ségur-le-Château was the homes of the first Viscounts of Limoges, who came to this "safe place" to erect their fortress. Its eventful history was also shaped by the presence of a court of appeal that was based there from the 15th to the 18th century. The many families of notable public figures, magistrates, knights and master craftsmen who made Ségur their home have left their mark on the place, to the delight of built heritage enthusiasts.

Now listed among the most beautiful villages of France, this charming medieval town really has plenty to appeal to walkers who enjoy old buildings. This is a most picturesque group, with its peaceful river, old houses and hilltop castle fort! Standing proudly on a rocky overhang, the latter has kept some imposing remains from the 12th century. Below, the old half-timbered houses with turrets built in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries testify to the village's heyday. The Henry IV house with mullioned windows, the timber-framed Boyer house with corbels and the St. Laurent Tower are just a few remarkable examples.

Within the Jardins de l'Évêché gardens stands the Limoges Museum of Fine Arts, based in the former Bishop's Palace.

Suitable for all ages, the museum has a rich and varied collection ranging from Egypt (with a private donation of 2,000 pieces) to the history of the city of Augustoritum in the Gallo-Roman era, through enamel and contemporary art.

Come and see over 600 enamel pieces illustrating the production of the Limousin workshops from the Middle Ages to the present day, as well as the finest pieces produced internationally.

The Fine Arts collection has paintings ranging from the Italian Renaissance to the 20th-century masters, as well as modern and contemporary sculptures, prints and drawings.

Want to explore the museum according to your mood, or following a particular theme? The Limoges Museum of Fine Arts provides several unexpected trails for you to try, focussing on a number of selected exhibits. For families there are workshops and themed tours.

Capital of porcelain and of the Limousin region, the city of Limoges has preserved beautiful evidence of its over 2,000-year-old history.

Key monument of the city, the Saint-Etienne cathedral is a remarkable example of Gothic art. Of particular interest for visitors are the north portal of Flamboyant Gothic style, the Renaissance rood screen and the three tombs of the chancel.

Next to the cathedral, the gardens of the Bishop's palace spread out as magnificent terraces overlooking the River Vienne. A great place for a stroll and to admire the numerous plants of the botanical garden.

Adjoining the gardens, the Diocese municipal museum, located in the former Bishop's palace, is home to collections of Limousin enamels and Impressionist paintings.

Next stop are the streets of Limoges old town, in particular the Boucherie street, which offers a really picturesque setting with its charming Saint-Aurélien chapel dating from the 15th century and its old timber-framed houses. In the old days, numerous meat stalls used to fill this street. Today, the Butcher traditional house is open to visitors from July to September, and evokes the butchers' corporation of the Middle Ages. Every third Friday of October, the Boucherie street is home to an important gastronomic festival, the “Frairie des Petits Ventres”, during which the specialties of Limousin are presented. A culinary meeting not to be missed!

Close by, the Motte square is overlooked by the typically Limousin bell tower of the church Saint-Michel-des-Lions, and is particularly pleasant and lively with its café terraces. On this square, you can also admire beautiful covered market hall of the 19th century, decorated with a porcelain frieze, which are home to a market of local products.

To enjoy a magnificent view of the cathedral and the picturesque Saint-Etienne bridge spanning the Vienne River, walkers should go to the bank opposite to the old town.

The village of Chassenon has preserved remarkable evidence of the Gallo-Roman period and especially of the ancient village of Cassinomagus. The Cassinomagus thermal baths, remains dating from the end of the 1st century, are open to the public and feature underground rooms, boilers, swimming pools and hot and cold rooms. Heaven for archaeology fans...

In the Vienne valley, the town of Saint-Junien, renowned for its tanning, is home to a magnificent granite collegiate church of Romanesque style. This religious building of the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries contains the finely-carved tomb of saint Junien, ancient frescoes, as well as a statue of the Entombment of Christ dating from the 16th century.

Because of its special setting, the town of Brantôme is nicknamed Venice of Périgord and and is the perfect place to wander around with its charming river banks, its Benedictine abbey, its Moines garden great for relaxation, and its beautiful restaurant terraces along the water.

As a leading porcelain city, Limoges was duty bound to honour this tradition with a museum about the history of porcelain and the collections that have helped to build its reputation all around the world.

Attached to the Sèvres and Limoges Ceramic Museum since 2012, the Adrien Dubouché National Museum was founded in 1845 and has the world's biggest collection of Limoges porcelain.

It contains 18,000 artefacts, of which 5,000 are permanent exhibits, documenting the porcelain-making process and the history of ceramics from Antiquity to the present day. You are sure to appreciate the circular trail that takes you seamlessly around the museum, ending in the department dedicated to Limoges porcelain.

The public can also visit the library, whose original collection was intended for students of the National School of Decorative Arts in Limoges that was founded by Adrien Dubouché, as well as a documentation centre.

International temporary exhibitions and regular activities take place all year round at the museum.

Renowned all over the world for its quality and its delicacy, the famous Limoges porcelain was first created in the 18th century with the discovery of kaolin in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. This material of shining whiteness, essential to the production of hard porcelain, allowed the launch the handcrafted porcelain industry in Haute-Vienne. Today, several factories perpetuate this important artistic tradition.

Not to be missed: the Adrien Dubouché national museum, in Limoges. Dedicated to the world of ceramics, this venue exhibits a large collection of hard and soft porcelains, but also collections of pottery, earthenware and stoneware.

Rebuilt in the 15th century on the former site of a feudal fortress, then remodelled in the 18th century when it was given to Louis XV's favourite, the famous Marquise de Pompadour, in 1745, this superb castle in the municipality of Arnac-Pompadour in west Corrèze has been owned by the National Stud (Haras National) since 1872.

A listed Historic Monument, the castle will delight lovers of medieval architecture with its imposing castellum, large pepperpot towers, wall walk on the machicolations and thick walls. Eleven furnished rooms are open to visitors, including the apartment of the Stud's former director, a 19th-century library and an Aubusson tapestry room. Also worth a look are the Marquise's stables, with a video show about horse-related trades, as well as the Orangery stables occupied by thoroughbreds and presidential horses.

For a lovely way to round off your visit, take a walk in the castle's terrace gardens, which are home to a number of remarkable species such as blue Atlas cedar and magnolia grandiflora.

Opposite the castle is the famous Pompadour racecourse with its 2,000 metre-long sand track, including natural fences and cross trails that have made it famous.

Capital of the Périgord, Périgueux is a City of Art and History possessing an important historic heritage, with its ancient Gallo-Roman town and its medieval and Renaissance old town. Situated on the Way of St James (Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route), the Saint-Front cathedral of Byzantine style is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Périgord museum offers visitors prehistoric, Gallo-Roman, medieval and Renaissance collections, but also its section dedicated to Fine art. The markets in the old town are authentic and bursting with local produce that will delight fine food fans.

The small village of Oradour-sur-Glane in Haute-Vienne is sadly known for the massacre that took place there on 10 June 1944. In the afternoon, 200 soldiers of the SS Das Reich division entered the peaceful village. What was supposed to be a simple identity check turned into a bloody massacre. Men, women and children were cold-heartedly shot and set on fire. The Nazis killed a total of 642 people including 207 children.

A true symbol of Nazi barbarism and a place of remembrance, Oradour-sur-Glane has remained unchanged since that day. During your visit, the burnt cars and houses will help you understand the scale of the massacre. In the main street leading to the fairgrounds, stay awhile to read the various commemorative plaques that have been put up.

Near the village, the Remembrance Centre (Centre de Mémoire) offers a retrospective of the history of Nazism, from its rise to that tragic day, through an exhibition that encourages reflection on peace and human rights. In order to honour those who died, the Centre has been working since 2014 to put faces to their names so an engraving can be made of them. Over 500 have been found to date.

The Vesunna Museum was created on a site where Gallo-Roman relics were discovered by chance. These include the painted walls of a house that was inhabited from the 1st to the 3rd century.

The museum is located in the southern quarter of Périgueux, formerly the Roman capital of the Gaulish "Pétrocore" people who worshipped the goddess "Vesunna", and was designed by the architect Jean Nouvel.

An amazing testimony to the Gallo-Roman era and the Pétrocores' daily life, it invites you on a journey to the time of the Roman occupation by reconstructing the way people lived back then, from forum to temple, from water supply issues to funeral rites, from meals to body care…

The architecture of the site respects the remains of the "Domus of Vesunna", a listed Historic Monument since 1963: the ancient walls are protected by a vast umbrella.

From the high glass walls, there is a spectacular view of the landscaped park around the Vesunna Tower (Tour de Vésone), and the remains of the 4th-century ramparts.

From the top of this medieval-looking tower built in the mid-20th century on the site of an old fortress to house a water tower, a wonderful scenic viewpoint awaits you! From the orientation table showing the main sites around Masseret, you can admire a remarkable 360° panorama, where you can also see notable sites like the Monédières, the Millevaches plateau and the Auvergne mountains.

Situated in the heart of the Vienne valley, on the Way of St James (Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route), Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat is a charming medieval town, which has preserved a rich architectural heritage. Walking through the squares and narrow streets, visitors will discover beautiful old houses and a magnificent 11th- and 12th-century Romanesque collegiate church topped by a remarkable bell tower.

Below the town, the banks of the Vienne River are very picturesque. The typical houses along the water and the old 13th-century bridge make a beautiful setting.

The medieval cachet of Saint-Robert's heritage is what makes this picturesque little Corrèze village so charming. Chosen as the location for a famous TV show, "Des grives aux loups", adapted from a novel by Claude Michelet, Saint-Robert will take you back in time, with its fortified doors, typical narrow streets and old lords' houses made from masonry stone, like the Noailles pavilion. Perched on a hill in the Yssandonnais, on the borders of Limousin and Périgord, this characterful place is listed as one of France's most beautiful villages. You can also take a look at its 12th-century church, the remains of a Benedictine priory whose choir and transept are a reminder of the Romanesque era. Inside there are sculpted capitals as well as a wooden Christ dating back to the 13th century. Near the church, be sure to stop by the Philippe Ranoux garden. It offers beautiful views of the green countryside all around!

If you have the chance to visit the village in summer, don't miss L'Été Musical de Saint-Robert, a classical music festival in July and August, where chamber music, vocal music and world music all come together.

Very popular with lovers of fishing and canoe-kayaking, the River Vézère has its source on the Millevaches plateau in Corrèze, and digs deep gorges in the granite of the Massif Central, before winding into a broad valley after passing Brive, all the way to the Dordogne.

In the gorges between Vigeois and Allassac, the river is a great place for a wonderful encounter with nature and outdoor activities like river sports, mountain biking and rock climbing. Yet hiking is the way to really appreciate the beauty of the Vézère gorges site at your own pace: the GR46 for example, starting at Le Saillant, will offer you superb viewpoints on the way up to Vigeois via the site of La Roche and Comborn. The belvederes and orientation tables will enable you to enjoy a well-earned break and take photos of some magnificent landscapes! At 391 metres above sea level, the site of La Roche and its orientation table, accessible via a pleasant path lined by ferns, oaks and chestnut trees, will reveal a superb panoramic view of verdant gorges, the hydroelectric dam of Le Saillant and the Yssandonnais.

At Le Saillant, lovers of old buildings won't want to miss the beautiful medieval bridge with six ogival arches. This charming little village on the banks of the Vézère is also renowned for its Chapel of Our Lady, which houses six stained glass windows by the famous artist Marc Chagall!

Ayen Church, rebuilt in the 20th century, has kept six listed tomb recesses dating back to the 12th century from the previous building, as well as hinge strips from the 14th century. When the parish church was rebuilt, the tomb recesses were placed around the new building.

Ayen mountain is not far from the village and is also worth a look. From its orientation table on top of the mountain, you can enjoy wonderful views of the Puy d'Yssandon, the Limousine Mountain and the Auvergne mountains!

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.

The Puy d'Yssandon is located in the west of Corrèze, amid peaceful, hilly countryside made up of meadows, orchards and forests. Culminating at 356 metres in altitude, this promontory in the Yssandonnais is an ideal stopping place to enjoy the countryside as well as admire panoramic views of the green landscape all around. Equipped with two orientation tables, it will offer you breathtaking views of the Brive basin, Monédières, Quercy and Périgord! Perfect for a picnic with family or friends, the Puy d'Yssandon also possesses historic heritage that make it well worth exploring: the ruins of a feudal tower from the 14th century, the last remains of an old medieval castle, and a charming Romanesque church built in the 12th century, whose bell-gable and nave date were added in the 18th century.