Collonges la Rouge
Collonges-la-Rouge is a jewel of medieval streets, castles and fortified towers. Situated on limestone soil and near a red sandstone fault, this atypical village bears witness to a 60 million year leap in history, moving from the first geological era to the secondary era. Collonges-La-Rouge is naturally part of our top 14 visits.
5 good reasons to go to Collonges-la-Rouge
- Discover a truly atypical and surprising village that you won't see anywhere else.
- Admire the sunrise and sunset over the red stone.
- Disconnect and experience an immersive moment in another time.
- Finding inspiration like many artists do every year.
- Know each and every shade of sandstone and have a different experience with each visit.
Pioneer of the Most Beautiful Villages in France
Did you know ? The village of Collonges was the first to join the association of Most Beautiful Villages of France in 1982. We owe it to Charles Ceyrac, former mayor of Collonges-La-Rouge, who is behind the creation of this association. It is therefore a symbolic place among the 157 labeled villages today.
What to do and visit in Collonges
Stroll through the village, stroll through the pretty red streets topped with their blue slate tiles. It takes around 2 hours to visit and discover the 25 towers that escape from this red sandstone cocoon, thus displaying the wealth and nobility of the ministers of the Viscount of Turenne who had a house in Collonges, between the 15th and 16th centuries.
The unmissable places of the village
This place has some remarkable heritage elements which are stopping points in the discovery of the village:
- Saint-Pierre church and its Romanesque bell tower,
- the chapel of the Black Penitents dating back from the XNUMXth century,
- the Mermaid House classified among historical monuments or even
- Vassinhac castle which belonged to the family of the same name, governor of the Viscount of Turenne.
Things to do nearby
In the surrounding area, there are other villages to discover. Among them is Curemonte which is located 12km away and where you can visit one of the oldest churches in Corrèze: the Romanesque church of Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Combe and other monuments with rich history. You can also visit the Quatre Demoiselles Walnut Museum in Saillac (6km away), and the Neanderthal Museum in La Chapelle-aux-Saints (14km away).
What about having a horseback ride? It is possible at the Ranch de Chadenac in Chauffour-sur-Vell (8km).
For the more adventurous among you, know that it is possible to discover Collonges and the surrounding villages from the sky in a hot-air balloon with Corrèze Montgolfière accompanied by your pilot, Frédéric. More information right here.
The Théâtrales de Collonges
If you choose to enjoy this village in summer, you will have the opportunity to attend the Théâtrales de Collonges. Created in 1991, this association represents theatrical art and offers every year, from July to August, evenings dedicated to theater in an atmosphere highly apreciated by Collonge residents and summer visitors.
Why is Collonges red?
The main characteristic of the village of Collonges is the color of its stones. Indeed, they are red and raise questions about their maintenance. Well, know that they do not require any because this color is completely natural and is due to the geological fault which connects the Brive basin to Meyssac and which separates the red sandstone from the limestone soil.
This sandstone is in fact composed of a greater quantity of iron oxide, which gives it this original reddish color. You will find only a few villages which are built with this stone: Meyssac (2km away), Noailhac (5km away), Lagleygeolle (8km away), Louignac and Vars-sur-Roseix (25km away)...
Eating in Collonges-La Rouge
We have selected good spots for you: restaurants offering local and high-quality products.
Staying in Collonges-La-Rouge
Fans of camping, guest rooms or rental accommodation, we have selected accommodation in the village or in more quiet places a few kilometers away...
Pratical information
How to get to Collonges?
Collonges is located in the heart of the Corrèze Causse and therefore benefits from its accessibility. You can get there by car from the A20 or A89 motorway and take exit no. 52 towards Noailles-Colonges-la-Rouge. By train, the closest station to Collonges is Turenne (around 6km away).
Where to park in Collonges?
It is forbidden to flow within the village other than on foot. It is therefore important to anticipate parking your vehicle.
Fortunately, parking lots are provided for visitors: there are two and there is a fee from mid-March to mid-November.
A little further, it will be possible to park your vehicle for free with two parking lots located on Place du Marchadial next to the motorhome service area.
For people with reduced mobility, Collonges has provided three dedicated places located on either sides of the village (at the top of the village, opposite the town hall and next to the wash house).
- Our little tip:
Visiting this village in the off-season will allow you to stroll through the streets quietly without the large crowds of tourists and to be totally immersed in the heart of this unusual place.
You will find public restrooms in Collonges, rue de la Garde next to Saint-Pierre church, and along the D38 at the old tram station.
To anticipate your purchases, be aware that most shops only accept payment in cash and there is no ATM in Collonges. The closest one is in Meyssac.
Our tip Falling under the spell of Collonges-la-Rouge
In Collonges-la-Rouge, you see red, but without ever being angry. Quite the contrary. You quickly fall under the spell of the red color of the stones of this medieval village classified among the Most Beautiful Villages in France. There is blue too, that of the slate roofs. In the evening at the restaurant to stay in style, order Limousin meat, underdone or rare.
Collonges-la-Rouge,
19500 Collonges-la-Rouge
05 55 24 08 80 (Brive Agglomération tourist office)
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