An 18 km circular walking route and Chaptelat’s role as a stopping point on the Véloroute offer two concrete starting points for a stay. Added to these are Saint Éloi Church, the history of the saint and other local sights. If you’re looking for accommodation in Chaptelat, first consider whether walking, cycling or cultural history will be the focus of your trip.

Walking and cycling in Chaptelat

The Circuit de la colline Catalacoise is an 18 km circular route that the municipality maintains as a walking trail. Its length and circular layout give the route a clear structure. Before setting out, check the latest conditions and trail markings, as they may change.

The Sentier des Aurières starts in the town centre and follows the former tramway line that connected Chaptelat with Limoges. Its central starting point and historical connection are its defining features. The Circuit, by contrast, is described by its length and circular layout. When choosing between the walking options, different points of reference come to the fore: a clearly named route or a trail connected to the former link between Chaptelat and Limoges.

For cycling, Chaptelat is a stopping point on the Véloroute from Limoges to Lac de Saint-Pardoux. A flat road section on this route leads to the municipality. The Véloroute is therefore a different planning option from the two walking trails: it places Chaptelat on a cycling route between Limoges and Lac de Saint-Pardoux. If you’re planning a cycling stage, you can consider this connection separately from your choice of walking route.

Saint Éloi and the church

Chaptelat is considered the birthplace of Saint Éloi, who was a goldsmith and later a master of enamelwork. Saint Éloi Church dates from the 12th century. It houses a painted, gilded wooden reliquary bust from the 18th century containing one of the saint’s teeth. Two distinct periods are represented here: the medieval building and a later religious artwork containing a specific relic.

For a stay focused on cultural history, Saint Éloi offers a way to explore the connection between the town, the saint and his craft. The church adds its own history and the reliquary bust to this connection. These are different aspects of the same local history, which can be explored separately when discovering Chaptelat: the significance of Saint Éloi and the church’s inherited furnishings.

More local history and sights

The former École normale is also part of Chaptelat’s history. Hundreds of teachers were trained there. This chapter of local history broadens the picture beyond the church and veneration of the saint to include the former teacher training school. Other notable sights include the source of the Aurence and the Mazeretas site with its viewpoint. Alongside the historical themes, these offer different points of interest: a spring and a viewpoint.

Plan your stay around your interests

When choosing a hotel in Chaptelat, your planned activity can be a useful first guide: a walk, a stage on the Véloroute or a stay focused on Saint Éloi and local history. The options offer distinctly different themes. For walking, you can choose between the 18 km circular route and the Sentier des Aurières, which starts in the town centre; for cycling, Chaptelat’s role as a stopping point on the route to Lac de Saint-Pardoux is relevant. Those interested in cultural history can explore Saint Éloi, the church and the former École normale as separate points of interest.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Priest-Sous-Aixe, Saint-Hilaire-la-Treille, Saint-Germain-Les-Belles, Sussac, Pierrefitte, Lavignac, Nedde, Châteauneuf-La-Forêt.

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