Less famous than the Dordogne, Corrèze has nothing to envy its neighbor in terms of spectacular landscapes, preserved sites and old villages. At the base of this ideal triangle, Brive-la-Gaillard, which unfolds the charm of the historic heart of the old fortified town. In 48 hours or so, we take a train from Gare d’Austerlitz (4h22 direct) or take off from Paris-Orly (1 hour flight), taste the joy of life in one of France’s most beautiful markets. With a Renaissance castle, sprawling botanical gardens and even a giant labyrinth in honor of Colette… It’s not just rugby in the corrézien midi.
Gardens of Sothis
It is the department’s pride and family treasure. Part family owner and now second generation to develop one of the best French cosmetic adventures, Sothis. A 26-hectare natural garden, five of which are today labeled as a “Special Garden” and functions as a collection of sensory “escapes”, bringing together hundreds of varieties and essences that symbolize the values and expertise of the brand. From ponds to sound sleeps, Japanese gardens to rose gardens, you lose yourself in lush nature before sitting on the impressively framed barn’s modern patio. Chef Jean-Michel Salcedo serves fresh, plant-based cuisine, a subtle connection between Corrèze terroir and inspiration from his vegetable garden. One of the best tables in the region.
The Sothys Gardens, 10 rue Bernard Mas, 19220 Auriac. Such. 05 55 91 96 89. Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
Live the castle life at Castel Novel
It is part of everyone’s memories here. Barely 15 minutes from the center of Brive, this feudal castle is famous for hosting Henri de Jouvenel and his wife, the writer Colette, and their daughter at the beginning of the last century. In the late 1950s, it was converted into a hotel-restaurant and became a favorite address for locals for small and large occasions. Bought a few months ago by two local kids, it hasn’t lost its exterior grandeur with its characteristic stonework, its romantic towers and this whole garden that explores the hilly landscape as far as the eye can see. If the large bedrooms still have their “juice”, the dining room and lounges have found new leather, and the terrace welcomes dinners under the stars. Within five years, renovations will be completed, from the pool to 35 rooms, including a tennis court, with the creation of a “cottage” spa.
Castel of Castel Novel, Cst Novel, 19240 Varetz. Such. 05 55 85 00 01. Menu: 35 euros and 49 euros, night: 120 euros.
Visit the Brive market at least once
On Saturday mornings, the entire region seems to meet at the Georges Brassens market, named after the man who celebrated it so much. One of the most beautiful meetings in New Aquitaine is divided into three main parts, on the one hand, all the breeders and producers of foie gras, poultry and other Limousin meat, while under the circle are the market gardeners, who descend by the hundreds. . Brive ritual. Meet at Papi’s for small whites followed by a “homemade” roast dinner sourced from a variety of area producers. Throughout the Brive Festival, Chef Melanie Seri of Louis Vins restaurant in the 5th arrondissement of Paris can be accompanied on her gourmet tour.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Place de la Guierle. Information at brive-tourisme.com.
Dinner at Inspiration
Barely a year ago, a young chef, Jeremy Kanesan, who came on vacation and fell in love with the region, settled in this former bakery market, formerly a brothel. Speaking from the mouth, here he reaps the fruits of his commitment to a small philosophy of responsible cooking: to work only with what nature has to offer, to contribute day by day to a terror that shrinks into the neighborhood. conditions for vegetables and fruits, and for the rest, to surprise… With a blind menu with 2, 3, 4 or 5 courses. It’s delicious, generous and unpretentious. Very nice wine list. Menu from €25 to €52.
Inspiration, 142 BC President Henri Quay, 19100 Brive-la-Gaillard. Such. 09 81 02 36 76.
Get lost in the Jardins de Colette and its giant labyrinth
Far ahead of her time, the talented writer and feminist who lived for a long time in the region left an indelible local legacy with these extraordinary gardens, which combine flowers, games and words through six themes, each embodying one of the author’s favorite regions of France. . A journey that echoes Colette’s legendary taste for nature and animals. A game approach that combines mazes, sensory experiences, words and radically different landscapes.
Les Jardins de Colette, 1119 route de Roland Garros, 19240 Varetz. Such. 05 55 86 75 35.
Source: Le Figaro
