Lapleau: Viaduct, walking trails and cultural heritage

Lapleau offers ways to enjoy a stay combining hiking, cycling, seasonal swimming and cultural history. Highlights include the Viaduc des Rochers Noirs, trails along the Luzège, Lake Vendahaut, and the church and castle ruins. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Lapleau, your interests can help you plan: would you like to spend most of your time on the trails, explore the viaduct, or focus on the area’s architectural and local history?

Viaduct and trails

The Viaduc des Rochers Noirs site is accessible year-round; a free audio guide can be accessed directly on your smartphone. The restored viaduct is open to pedestrians and cyclists, and its restoration was completed in 2024. It stands more than 90 m above the river and was built for the tram line between Tulle and Ussel. This structure thus brings together its transport history and its present-day use on foot or by bicycle.

Routes with specific details

The Autour de la Simendèle loop starts at the Viaduc des Rochers Noirs on the Lapleau side. It is 8 km long, with a stated duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. One section of the loop follows the 1.2 km fishing trail along the Luzège. The 10.8 km sports, health and wellness trail starts at the Lake Vendahaut car park and can be used on foot or by mountain bike. In terms of length alone, this trail is 2.8 km longer than the Autour de la Simendèle loop. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their length; the trail also offers a choice between walking and mountain biking.

Swimming at the lake

Lake Vendahaut covers 2 ha. Supervised swimming is available there in July and August, from Tuesday to Sunday, between 2 pm and 7 pm. Check these seasonal swimming hours before your visit.

Church and historic sites

The Saint-Etienne church in Lapleau is Neo-Romanesque and dates from the 19th century. The new church was inaugurated in August 1890. It houses the collection of medieval treasures from the churches of the former canton of Lapleau. Its construction period, architectural style and collection each offer a different way to explore the area’s cultural history.

At the Site de Lestrange, only a few ruins remain of an 11th-century medieval castle. The ruins can be seen on a 5 km hike. The lauze roof of Château Rouby is protected as a historic monument. The château is privately owned and cannot be visited.

Landscape and other destinations

In Lapleau, the ZNIEFF Vallée de la Luzège encompasses a deeply incised valley with great floristic diversity. The Cascade de Neyrat can also be reached via a hiking trail.

Discover more destinations: Vars-Sur-Roseix, Tulle, Saint-Bazile-de-la-Roche, Brivezac, Saint-Pantaléon-De-Larche, Liginiac, Uzerche, Saint-Privat.

For the broader travel overview: Corrèze.