Le Buis brings together a Romanesque church, a granite cross with a story rooted in local tradition, and a blues festival in August. The Croix du Marchand also lies along a 13-kilometre footpath that almost encircles the commune. These offer different points of interest: architecture, local history, music and a longer walk. Which one takes centre stage also depends on when you visit; the festival takes place in August.
The church and the Croix du Marchand
The Eglise Saint-Martial is an 11th-century Romanesque church. The façade, with its triangular gable, is on the south side; it features two sculpted modillions. The bell tower is roofed with chestnut shingles. The church’s style and century establish its historical period, while the façade and tower offer two distinct architectural details. The church is therefore a focus in its own right for readers interested in historic architectural styles and individual design features.
The Croix du Marchand stands out for its material and form: the Hosanna cross is made of granite, with trefoil arms and an octagonal shaft. It is also known as the Croix dite du Buis ou du Marchand. Since 28 January 1986, it has been listed as a Monument historique. A local tradition traces its name to an attack in 1612. The target was a merchants’ caravan returning from southern France, where its members had collected spices. The cross’s distinctive form and the story behind its name thus offer two different points of interest.
Le Buis Blues Festival in August
Every August, the Le Buis Blues Festival brings groups from around the world together for four days of music in several villages, including Le Buis. The festival moves between locations, with the events concluding in Le Buis on Saturday evening. It grew out of an annual village festival in Le Buis and is held in several villages within the intercommunal community. This multi-location format is important when planning your stay: Le Buis is a venue and also hosts the Saturday-evening finale, but it is not the only location. If you are planning to travel specifically for the blues festival, check the exact dates and programme in advance. August is the recurring time of year; the programme varies.
Footpath, directions and bus
The 13-kilometre footpath runs almost all the way around the commune, and the Croix du Marchand lies along its route. This makes it possible to include the cross in plans for a longer walk. The route describes an almost complete circuit, not a full loop.
To reach the Sentier de la Couze, take the N520 towards Poitiers, then the RD7 towards Compreignac, through Thouron and Le Buis, and finally the RD711 to Roussac. Check the directions before setting off. Regional bus route 18 connects Limoges, Nieul, Nantiat, Le Buis and Magnac-Laval. If you plan to use this service, check the latest timetable before travelling, as route information may change.
Discover more destinations: Nexon, Nieul, La Porcherie, Rancon, Fromental, Villefavard, Champagnac-La-Rivière, Azat-Le-Ris.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Vienne.
