Soudaine-Lavinadière: Priory, Church and Mountain Biking

Soudaine-Lavinadière brings together the history of the former settlement of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre with a range of travel interests. If you want to focus on culture, the church, priory and stone cross offer different historical sights. Those who would rather combine their stay with cycling or fishing will find a challenging mountain biking circuit and fishing opportunities on the La Soudaine. The priory reveals several phases of construction; the cycling route can be assessed in terms of its distance, duration and elevation gain.

The Order’s History and Wall Paintings

The Order of the Holy Sepulchre settled in Soudaine-Lavinadière in the 12th century. In the 15th century, the settlement became a commandery of the Hospitallers. This progression from an early religious order settlement to a later commandery gives the place a historical context that developed over several centuries.

The church and the surviving buildings of the priory of the Ancienne commanderie de l'ordre du Saint-Sépulcre have been protected as historic monuments by decree since 13 June 2003. Wall paintings dating from the first half of the 17th century were discovered on the church’s flat chancel wall. Their dating reveals a later historical layer within the complex than the medieval beginnings of the Order’s history.

Traces on the Priory Grounds

Visitors can explore the grounds of the Ancien prieuré de l'Ordre du Saint-Sépulcre on foot. Traces to discover include those of the residential building, a well, the buildings between the priory and commandery, a cellar and the cemetery.

A treasure hunt has been designed for families at the site. Visitors, especially children, explore the grounds using the information boards on site and investigate the secrets of the Order. The treasure hunt and the boards connect the exploration of the grounds with the history of the Order.

Cross, Well and Footbridge

The Croix de Soudaine-Lavinadière is a monumental granite cross erected by the Hospitallers and decorated with a mystic lamb, two crosses pattée and a rosette. These motifs give the stone monument its detailed design.

The name “L'ancien puit” is associated with local traditions surrounding wells. In Corrèze, there are hundreds of wells that provide the households of the 86 Vinadièrois with water for everyday use and agriculture. The local name for the well thus connects to a broader regional tradition.

The passerelle is a footbridge that was formerly called Pont du Facteur. It began as a simple tree trunk that the postman used as a shortcut to the village of La Rigaudie on his walking route. The bridge thus links its present-day name with a specific episode from its former use by the postman.

Mountain Biking Circuit and the La Soudaine

Le Bois d'Anjou is a difficult mountain biking circuit in Soudaine-Lavinadière. It is 18.8 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 461 metres and a stated duration of two hours. The distance indicates the route length, the two hours its stated duration and the elevation gain the amount of climbing; together with its difficult rating, these figures provide a clear picture of the ride.

The La Soudaine is the municipality’s main watercourse. Trout fishing and fly fishing are possible there. This fishing option is distinct from the mountain biking circuit: it offers two types of fishing on a named watercourse, while the cycling route can be assessed by its distance, duration and elevation gain.

Discover more destinations: Branceilles, Chanteix, Margerides, Combressol, Vignols, Saint-Hilaire-Taurieux, Saint-Julien-Le-Pèlerin, Forgès.

For the wider travel overview: Corrèze.