Collonges la Rouge in Corrèze

Between Limousin and Quercy regions and the Corrèze and Lot counties, Collonges’ red sandstone goes together harmoniously with the climbing vines green along the facades.

Born around a Benedictine priory founded during the 8th century, the village became during the 13th century an area where ‘castels’, such as Renaissance de Maussac, Vassinhac, Beauvirie and Benge, would be built to accommodate the officers’ quarters of the powerful neighbouring Viscounty of Turenne.

Imposing volumes, slated roofs or roofs covered with ‘lauze’, towers, turrets, bartizans. Both rural and middle-class, robust and sophisticated at the same time, Collonges la Rouge is of a rare homogeneity and in an exemplary state of conservation.
Each structure, each building tells the rich history of the village:

• St-Pierre (Peter)’s church, erected during the 11th and 12th centuries is testament to the era when Collonges was a stop-over on St James’s way/Camino de Santiago.
• The Priory’s door, a ribbed vault and the Porte Plate (Flat Door) are the only remaining vestiges of the city’s former ramparts.
• At the heart of the village, the former seeds and wines covered market dating back to the 16th century reminds us of a prosperous time of merchant and trading activity and still houses the communal oven.
• The Chapelle des Penitents (Penitents’ Chapel) housed from 1765 until the end of the 19th century the Black Penitents Friary which was, as one of its charitable missions, burying people at no cost.

Collonges became Collonges-la-Rouge by decree on 29th August 1969, and the City of 25 towers, pioneer of France’s Most Beautiful Villages contest and first tourist destination in the Limousin region has every asset available to insure the longevity of its original architecture in the upcoming centuries.

Collonges’ surroundings - Brive’s area

• Villages ranked amongst France’s Most Beautiful Villages such as Turenne, St Robert and Curemonte.
• Areas to discover Earth’s depths, such as the internationally renowned Gouffre de Padirac (Padirac Abyss)
• Breathtaking viewpoints such as the ‘Montagne Pelée’ (Bare Mountain) of the ‘Causse’ Corrézien, Cesar Tower in Allassac and Turenne’s castle tower.
• Water sports and activities on the Lac du Causse, close to Brive, hiking around the area. Canoeing and kayaking are also possible on the river Corrèze.
• Producers’ markets to meet local producers, taste and try their delicious produce.
• For those of you keen to hike, Brive’s area is packed with hiking trails. On foot, by mountain bike… Another way to discover the scenery.
• You shouldn’t leave the region without visiting Sarlat, located only 40km from Brive (1/2hr car ride), and going for a visit of the internationally known Lascaux cave or Rocamadour located 50km away (45min car ride).
• The municipal swimming pool is 900 m from the cottage, access is free during the summer.

Leisure Activities

Move up