Hiking along the Vincou, sacred art, and a Gothic bridge offer different highlights for a stay in Peyrat-De-Bellac. There is also horseback archery at Domaine de Gauchoux.
Hiking trails with different profiles
The La Roche Vigeanne hiking trail leads to the La Roche Vigeanne rock and its cirque overlooking the Vincou River. Along the way, there are numerous panoramas, some of them seemingly wild. The trail is steep and narrow and may be slippery; sturdy footwear is recommended. These conditions are just as important when choosing a hike as its destination and the views along the way.
The Chemin de la croix de la Pile is primarily intended for hiking. Horse riders and mountain bikers can also use it, but do so at their own risk. It starts at a car park near Châtaignier; access is via the RD675 towards Bellac. When choosing, you can therefore distinguish between two different considerations: are you interested in the rock, the cirque, and the panoramas of La Roche Vigeanne, or are the intended use and starting point of the Chemin de la croix de la Pile what matter to you?
River landscapes and nature
The loops of the Vincou at Chélipeau are dominated by the Cirque de Peyrat. The Vincou and the Gartempe influence Peyrat-de-Bellac’s flora and fauna. Two aspects stand out here: the striking form of a river landscape and the influence of both rivers on local nature. This adds a distinctive perspective on the landscape and waterways to the hiking trails.
Church and bridge: art and architectural history
Église Saint-Roch dates from the 17th century. It houses painted and gilded wooden statues of Saint Roch, Saint John the Baptist, the Virgin and Child, and a bishop. Altarpieces and a painting depict the Resurrection of Christ and the Annunciation. The figures and scenes give the church a distinctive art-historical character.
Pont de Beissat is a Gothic bridge dating from the 13th century and has been listed as a historic monument since 1970. Its four arches have different shapes: there is a semicircular arch in the middle, along with three pointed arches. These architectural details describe the bridge more precisely than simply classifying it as a Gothic structure. Historically, Pont de Beissat connected Bellac with Le Dorat.
Horseback archery
Domaine de Gauchoux adds horseback archery to the hiking and heritage offerings. It has four international-standard courses for this discipline. Courses for beginners and advanced participants are offered throughout the year. So, alongside a stay focused on trails or architectural history, you can also include a sporting activity in your plans; two experience levels are available when choosing a course.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Amand-Magnazeix, Limoges, Bujaleuf, Saint-Léger-Magnazeix, Nexon, Moissannes, Villefavard, Châteauneuf-La-Forêt.
For the main travel overview: Haute-Vienne.
