Donzenac, "Village étape" in Corrèze
Donzenac is the charm of a medieval town which strives to preserve its collective memory while restoring the old buildings. This 12th century village, mentioned in our top 14 visitors, knows how to bear witness to the wealth of human know-how and invites you to a charming return to the past in the heart of Terres Gaillardes.
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5 good reasons to go to Donzenac
- Stroll along the alleys, porches and discover the fortified gates, the remains of 3 fascinating eras: Middle Ages, Renaissance and 17th century.
- Visit the unmissable Pans de Travassac.
- Take the opportunity to take a break in this “Village étape”.
- Follow in the footsteps of the Corrèze resistance fighters of the Secret Army.
- Discover the oldest house in Corrèze (13th century).
"Village étape" since 1998
Classified Country and Art and History Vézère Slate, Donzenac has also been awarded the "Village étape" label since 1998. This label from the French Federation of Villages étapes covers different criteria to be respected which ensures the visitor a certain comfort: nearby roads, food services, accommodation, parking spaces, sustainable commitments, and much more…
What to do, to visit in Donzenac
Donzenac is one of the oldest villages in Corrèze! A large town that was once fortified, it still has its medieval appearance with its winding streets which all lead back to the church district. Walk through its narrow streets and appreciate its old houses covered with gray-blue slates from the local slate quarries of Travassac.
The prizes won by Donzenac
Donzenac, to be visited by day and by night, won the first national prize for the illumination of historic buildings in 1999.
In 2002, this medieval town won the first departmental prize for “Heritage Ribbons” (which honors the actions of municipalities which have rehabilitated places of memory) thanks to its rehabilitation of the 13th century house.
In 2020, Donzenac sees the Regional "Ruban du Patrimoine" floating on its restored Gothic bell tower. One more pride for the Donzenacois.
What to see in Donzenac
The tour circuit
Discover Donzenac and its heritage thanks to an interpretation circuit allowing you to discover, alone or with your family, the architectural heritage of the city.
Saint Martin's church
This magnificent church consists of a 14th century bell tower-portico, nave with aisles on the flat wall and closed choir. Note that the church tower was classified as a Historic Monument in 1932. Inside the church, in the narthex, you can admire three interesting sculptures: Virgin and Child (decapitated) from the 14th century, with traces of polychromy, Sainte-Madeleine from the 15th century with a graceful attitude and carrying a perfume box as well as a Saint-Jean-Baptiste in a camel hair coat.
The 13th century house
This residence is the most famous medieval house in Donzenac and currently has three floors, including a cellar. Due to the different heights of the ground, it is half buried, but you probably didn't realize that until you got there! You are in front of the oldest house in Corrèze.
The chapel of the white penitents
This chapel was built in 1677 on the remains of the armory of the Château de la Robertie; this ensured the defense of the southern ramparts of Donzenac. The southwest facade connected to the city wall is connected to the square tower. The building consists of a rectangular nave with lateral passages, leading to a rib-vaulted room, at the bottom of the tower, projecting on this side.
Things to do nearby
About 6 km away: Allassac offers a visit to a fortified church dating backfrom the 14th century, Le Manoir des Tours, without forgetting the unmissable Caesar Tower.
Sainte-Féréole is the festive place to be on Thursday evenings in summer with its famous local producers' market but also an emblematic site of the resistance in Corrèze! Let yourself be guided to the heart of history by taking the Saulières remembrance path, which evokes the maquis who took this forest as a place of refuge.
The Pans de Travassac
Enter the heart of this old slate quarry to discover a magnificent and unique place in Europe. Let yourself be carried away by a guided tour of around 1 hour and take a trip back to the 17th century when the slate-making tradition was born in Corrèze.
Travassac slate, a noble product, has exceptional longevity and resistance. The roofs of Donzenac are mainly covered with this material, giving the city this color which makes it its characteristic.
The site also gives you the opportunity to attend a slate-cutting demonstration carried out by professionals and to visit the store. To find out the opening days, opening times and prices, go to the page Pans de Travassac.
Pratical information
How to get to Donzenac?
Car: A20 - exit n°48 Allassac
Train: the closest station is Allassac
By bus: from Brive-La-Gaillarde, you can come by bus. Consult our regularly updated section "Visiting without a car" and download the document.
Where to park in Donzenac?
- Departmental parking (town hall square).
- Salavert car park (7 avenue du salavert).
- Donzenac west carpooling area parking.
- Camping Car Park area located outside the village, next to the municipal campsite “La Rivière”.
Pro tip
- Once there, do not hesitate to visit one of our PoHTes : small museum space at theCordeliers Workshop in the Cordeliers convent and Nauche butcher shop who will share their good deals with you.
- For hikingfans, the 4 marked circuits will help you discover Donzenac and its surroundings. And for the youngest, the geocaching awaits you with its treasure hunts in the local countryside!
Our tip Medieval atmosphere in Donzenac
With its slate roofs and narrow streets, the village of Donzenac cherishes its past. Here, in one of the oldest villages in Corrèze, we admire the slates of Travassac, whose sections are located a few kilometers away and we come to see the oldest house in Limousin which dates from the 13th century. In the evening, when the monuments light up, the medieval atmosphere is felt all the more. If at the bend of an intersection, a restaurant suddenly appears, enter and sit down to a local specialty.
Village of Donzenac,
19270 Donzenac
05 55 24 08 80 (Brive Agglomération tourist office)
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