Saint-Just-Le-Martel lies 12 km east of Limoges. The town combines a church with a long history, an international centre for caricature and press cartoons, and numerous marked trails. When planning a stay, the focus is therefore on culture around the Espace Loup and routes through woodland and riverside landscapes.
Church and caricature at the Espace Loup
The Church of Saint-Just dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and has a bell gable typical of the Limousin. It also houses a reliquary monstrance from 1644 containing relics of Saint Justus. Here, you can explore the architecture and religious history of a specific building whose bell tower reflects the region’s architectural style.
Another cultural focal point is the Espace Loup. It is an exhibition venue for the International Centre for Caricature, Press Cartoons and Humour, and has a large event hall. Since 2011, it has also been home to the Centre International, a venue for exhibitions, resources, information and training. Presentations and opportunities to exchange ideas about caricature and press cartoons are both part of the centre’s profile.
The Festival international de la caricature et du dessin de presse et d’humour has been held every year at the Espace Loup since 1982. It takes place in the last week of September and the first week of October. Two hundred cartoonists from every continent gather for the annual salon, where more than 30 exhibitions are on view over ten days. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the calendar for the edition you wish to attend in advance.
Trails along the Vienne and through the countryside
The Sentier Vienne et Forêt runs through the forest and along the Vienne. Along the way, viewpoints offer views of the river, the Limousin countryside and the Monts d’Ambazac. The route is listed as 14 km long, with 320 metres of elevation gain and a duration of three hours and 15 minutes. The river, forest and viewpoints together define the character of this route.
For shorter routes, the Sentier du Loup offers a main trail of 1.95 km and a short option of 1.02 km. The longer route takes about one hour and 30 minutes. The Sentier de la Sorcière has a different duration: this 4.96 km walking route has a listed duration of three hours, follows the banks of the Vienne and invites you to look for a menhir. The distances and times give you a concrete basis for comparing the routes when planning your outings, without implying anything about their level of difficulty.
The Sentier des Dragonniers is a 2.06 km experience trail towards the equestrian centre. It has an estimated duration of an hour and a half; along the route, you may encounter dragons. The Sentier des Villages takes considerably longer: the 25 km route is listed as having 300 metres of elevation gain and a duration of five hours. You can explore it on foot, on horseback or by bicycle. It offers glimpses of the villages in the municipality of Saint-Just-Le-Martel, as well as wayside crosses, bocage countryside, ponds and numerous viewpoints.
Beyond these named routes, numerous marked trails lead through varied landscapes and past monuments, including the Rocher du Diable. The Vienne and the Chèze stream give Saint-Just-Le-Martel a green, natural setting for residents and walkers. As route details can change, check the local route information before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Hilaire-Les-Places, Oradour-Sur-Vayres, La Châtre, Magnac-Bourg, La Roche-L'abeille, Darnac, Saint-Amand-Magnazeix, Meilhac.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Vienne.
