Discover Ayen: history, walks and arboretum

Ayen combines a rich local history with walking routes and a botanical attraction. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ayen, exploring these themes can help you decide whether culture, outdoor activities or plant diversity will shape your stay.

Local history and historic trails

The six enfeus were relocated around the new parish church after the demolition of the parish church in Ayen-Bas in 1894. The original church in Ayen-Bas had a Romanesque lower section and an upper section dating from the 14th century. This offers two different perspectives on local history: the transition from the former parish church to the new one, and the construction phases of the original church.

The “Ayen ô temps jadis” circular trail leads to Ayen-Bas, formerly the village centre, as well as to the Château de la Chabroulie and the Hôtel noble de Razat. The route thus connects the former village centre with two named historic sites. If you’re interested in the area’s history, this trail brings together the village’s past and these two destinations.

Walks and planning your time

Four walks are available from Ayen. A 45-kilometre multi-activity circuit can be completed on horseback, by mountain bike or on foot over two or three days. When planning, the main difference between these options is the information provided: the four walks offer a selection, while the circuit has a specified distance, duration and ways to travel. If you’re choosing based on the time available, the circuit’s two- or three-day duration is a useful point of comparison; the four walks provide another selection for planning your outings.

Arboretum de La Tuillière

The Arboretum de La Tuillière covers 8.5 hectares and features a labelled collection of 1,500 tree and shrub species. The labels give the visit a botanical focus. You can explore the grounds for free on a self-guided walk. The area and number of species give different measures of the arboretum: its size and the scope of the collection on display. Here, plant diversity takes centre stage, unlike at the historic sites and on the walking routes.

Visiting and getting there

A self-guided visit to Ayen church is possible. As visiting arrangements may change, check the current options before your visit. This lets you include the church in your plans and check the visiting conditions in advance.

Ayen is 20 minutes from the A20 and A89 motorways and 30 minutes from Brive–Vallée de la Dordogne Airport. The Route des Puys provides vehicle access towards the Ayen viewpoint. The journey times help you plan your arrival, while the Route des Puys gives a specific indication of how to approach the viewpoint.

Discover more destinations: Champagnac-la-Noaille, Saint-Privat, Egletons, Le Pescher, Saint-Ybard, L'herbeil, Lamazière-Basse, Soudaine-Lavinadière.

For the main travel overview: Corrèze.