Discover Corrèze

Visit Corrèze is a department located in the centre-west of France, in the heart of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It owes its name to the Corrèze river that flows through it. Its prefecture is Tulle, although the most populous town is Brive-la-Gaillarde. The region is renowned for its diverse landscapes, rich historical heritage and authentic gastronomy.

Must-see tourist sites in Corrèze

Corrèze offers a wide variety of tourist attractions that will appeal to lovers of nature, history, and culture. Here is a selection of must-see places:

France's most beautiful villages

The department is home to a number of villages classified as «The Most Beautiful Villages of France», such as Collonges-la-Rouge—nicknamed the «City of Twenty-Five Towers» because of its many medieval towers—and Turenne, dominated by the ruins of its fortified castle. These villages offer a journey back in time with their cobblestone streets and stone houses.

The Gimel waterfalls

Located near Tulle, the Gimel Waterfalls are a series of three spectacular waterfalls with a combined height of 143 meters. The site has been developed to allow visitors to experience this impressive natural spectacle amid lush vegetation.

The Millevaches plateau

Stretching across the northeastern part of the Corrèze department, the Millevaches Plateau is a vast granite expanse dotted with heathlands, forests, and peat bogs. It is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, offering breathtaking panoramic views and rich biodiversity.

The President Jacques Chirac Museum

Located in Sarran, this museum is dedicated to former French President Jacques Chirac. It features a collection of official gifts he received during his terms in office, offering a unique glimpse into France’s diplomatic relations.

Landscapes and towns in Corrèze

Corrèze is characterized by a wide variety of landscapes, from verdant plateaus to deep valleys, dense forests and winding rivers. This natural diversity is also reflected in its picturesque towns and villages.

Tulle

Prefecture of the département, Tulle is known for its narrow, winding streets, half-timbered houses and rich craft heritage, notably lace-making. The town's landmarks include Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Musée des Armes.

Brive-la-Gaillarde

Brive-la-Gaillarde, the largest city in Corrèze, is known for its vibrant cultural and economic scene. Its market, one of the most famous in the region, offers a wide variety of local products. The Saint-Martin Collegiate Church and the Labenche Museum are must-see attractions for history buffs.

Uzerche

Known as the «Pearl of the Limousin,» Uzerche is perched on a promontory overlooking the Vézère River. Its fortifications, towers, and stately homes bear witness to a rich historical past. The town also offers numerous hiking trails along the river.

The region and surrounding departments

Corrèze is surrounded by six départements, each with its own distinctive features and attractions.

Haute-Vienne

In the north-west, Haute-Vienne is known for its capital, Limoges, famous for its world-renowned porcelain. The department also boasts rolling countryside and numerous lakes ideal for water sports.

Creuse

Located in northern France, Creuse is a rural department featuring peaceful landscapes of hedgerows and forests. It is renowned for its artistic heritage, particularly the Crozant School of Painting.

Puy-de-Dôme

To the east, the Puy-de-Dôme department is dominated by the Chaîne des Puys, a range of dormant volcanoes offering exceptional hiking opportunities. Clermont-Ferrand, the regional capital, is known for its cathedral made of black lava stone.

Cantal

In the southeast, the Cantal department is characterized by its mountains and vast plateaus. The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park offers spectacular scenery and a diverse array of wildlife.

Batch

To the south, the Lot is famous for its picturesque villages such as Rocamadour and its limestone causses. The Lot valley offers opportunities for river cruises and gastronomic discoveries.

Dordogne

In the west, the Dordogne is renowned for its prehistoric sites—notably the Lascaux Caves—and its medieval castles. Gastronomy plays a prominent role there, with specialties featuring truffles and foie gras.

Gastronomy and specialities of Corrèze

The culinary specialities of Corrèze

Visit Corrèze is a land of culinary traditions, where gastronomy plays an important role. Its specialities combine authenticity, local produce and ancestral know-how. Here's an overview of the department's must-taste dishes.

1. Traditional dishes and savoury specialities

Le millassou

Visit millassou is a grated potato cake, cooked in a pan or in the oven. It can be garnished with bacon, garlic and parsley. It's a hearty, rustic dish, often served as a side dish.

The mique and its salty snack

The emblematic dish of the Corrèze mics is a large ball of leavened dough made from flour and yeast, cooked in a broth with salty (salted pork). This convivial dish is particularly popular in winter.

Le tourtou

Visit tourtou is a thick pancake made with buckwheat flour. In the past, it was used to replace bread in the countryside. Today, they are often served with dishes in sauce or garnished with local charcuterie.

Potato pâté

Originally from Limousin, this potato pâté is a pie made with thin slices of potato, crème fraîche and sometimes bacon. Its crisp, golden pastry makes it a popular dish for family meals.

Farcidures

Visit farcidures are grated potato dumplings mixed with bacon and herbs. They are often served with duck stew or confit.

Porcini and wild mushrooms

Visit forests of Corrèze are teeming with mushrooms, including cepswhich are highly prized in cooking. They can be found in local markets and are often used in omelettes, pan-fried with parsley or incorporated into sauce dishes.

2. Cheese and dairy products

Laqueuille blue

Although its origins are shared with the Puy-de-Dôme department, this blue cheese with parsley is a favorite in Corrèze. Its melt-in-the-mouth texture and slightly tangy taste make it a must on any cheese platter.

Gaperon

Native to the Massif Central, the gaperon is a cow's milk cheese, lightly flavored with garlic and pepper. Its pronounced taste goes perfectly with country-style bread.

Correze curd

Visit Correze curd is a fresh cheese, often eaten with sugar or honey. It is made from naturally curdled cow's or sheep's milk.

3. Local charcuterie and meats

Veal raised under the mother

Visit veal raised under the mother from Corrèze is renowned for its tenderness and subtle flavor. It benefits from a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and is often cooked in blanquette or roasted.

Limousin meat

Visit Limousin cattle breed is one of the most prestigious in France. Its tender, marbled meat is highly prized for grilling and stewing.

Black pudding with chestnuts

An autumn speciality, the black pudding with chestnuts is a traditional charcuterie that combines the sweetness of chestnuts with the richness of black pudding.

Tulle ham

Visit Tulle hamis a local specialty often eaten in thin slices with farmhouse bread and butter.

4. Desserts and local sweets

Clafoutis

Originally from the Limousin region clafoutis is a tart filled with whole black cherries, coated in a flan-like mixture. It can also be made with other fruits such as plums or apples.

Le flognarde

Cousin of the clafoutis, the flognarde is a dessert made from thick pancake batter, topped with apples, pears or plums. Less well-known than clafoutis, it's just as tasty.

Walnut cake

Visit Périgord walnutsare the main ingredient of this moist, fragrant cake. It is often served with custard or caramel.

Tulle madeleines

These madeleines are a speciality of the city of Tulle. Soft and lightly scented with lemon or vanilla, they are the perfect accompaniment to tea or coffee.

La treipa

Visit treipa is a type of brioche flavored with rum and orange blossom, often served at traditional festivities in Corrèze.

5. Drinks and local specialities

Mulched wine

Visit mulled wine is a speciality of the Corrèze region. It's a sweet wine, made after drying the grapes on a bed of straw for several weeks. Ideal with desserts and cheeses.

Walnut liqueur

Made from Périgord walnutsthis artisanal liqueur has a full-bodied, slightly sweet taste. It is often drunk as a digestive.

Correze cider

Corrèze also produces a farmhouse cidermade from local apples, offering a light, fruity drink.