La Chapelle-Montbrandeix combines nature and cultural heritage, each with its own distinct highlights: the Étang de Masselièvre is set in a wooded valley with trails and a picnic area; there is also an archaeological site and a church with its own architectural history. The Circuit de Masselièvre starts in the commune and includes the Étang as a stopping point. When planning your stay, you can first decide whether to focus on nature trails and the pond, or on archaeological and architectural heritage.
At the Étang de Masselièvre: Trails, Wildlife and Picnics
The Étang de Masselièvre lies in a wooded valley in La Chapelle-Montbrandeix. Numerous hiking trails are accessible from the pond. The wildlife is another reason to take a closer look: possible sightings include green frogs, the dragonfly species calopterix virgo méridionalis, genets, short-toed snake eagles and roe deer. These species give an impression of the variety to be discovered at the Étang.
The picnic area has numerous tables, dry toilets, a barbecue, children's play equipment, a pétanque court and a table tennis table. This makes it possible to plan time by the pond beyond the hiking trails: the facilities include spots for a picnic break as well as opportunities for play and sport. If you would like to fish, you can do so in the Étang with an annual “no-kill” card. This card requirement is part of planning a fishing trip.
Routes and Landscape
The Circuit de Masselièvre starts in La Chapelle-Montbrandeix. The Étang is a stopping point on this circuit; the Feuillardiers hut is also among the sights mentioned along the way. The route also takes you past impressive coppiced chestnut woods. This circuit therefore offers a connection both to the pond and to the landscape and local cultural heritage.
The Circuit du Loup Garou passes through the chestnut woods of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park. It is near the Route Richard Cœur de Lion and its medieval castles. The routes thus have different emphases: the Circuit de Masselièvre features the Étang and Feuillardiers hut among its stopping points, while the description of the Circuit du Loup Garou is shaped by chestnut woods and its connection to the medieval castles.
Archaeology and Architectural History
At the Les Couvents site, archaeological discoveries range from the Neolithic period to the 4th or 5th century AD. The site itself was inhabited only in the 3rd or 4th century. These two dates describe different things: the chronological span of the discoveries, on the one hand, and the period of actual settlement, on the other. The Gallo-Roman site is designated “Gisement gallo-romain (portion) dit des Couvents” and was classified as a protected site on 22 August 1979.
The church in La Chapelle-Montbrandeix also offers a distinct perspective on the history of the area. It appears to have been built in the 12th century. Its architectural features include a large bell tower with a square base dating from 1880. The choir contains a large restored painting depicting the Deposition from the Cross. For a focus on cultural history, the archaeological periods at Les Couvents and the church’s architectural and artistic history can therefore be considered separately.
Plan Your Journey
From Cussac, you can reach La Chapelle-Montbrandeix via the D22 towards La Chapelle-Montbrandeix. Check road conditions before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Peyrat-De-Bellac, Sussac, Bussière-Galant, Moissannes, Vayres, Chamboret, Condat-sur-Vienne, Saint-Germain-Les-Belles.
For the broader travel guide: Haute-Vienne.
