Uzerche: History, Culture and the Vézère

Uzerche combines a striking riverside landscape with architectural history and a varied cultural offering. Choose from different ways to spend your stay: explore the buildings of the old town, enjoy summer performances, discover street art and glassblowing, or take part in activities on the water. The options vary in theme, format and duration.

Landscape and Architectural History in Uzerche

Uzerche stands on a rocky promontory encircled by a meander in the Vézère. The promontory and the river bend form the town’s natural setting. Within its city walls, the old town features an architectural ensemble of towers and turrets. Those interested in architectural history will find both individual historic buildings and a cohesive townscape.

Porte Bécharie is the only surviving gate of the former fortifications, which comprised nine gates in total. The Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre d’Uzerche is an important example of Limousin Romanesque architecture. Another landmark is the Maison à pans de bois, one of the few surviving examples of this type of building from the 16th century. These examples highlight different aspects of the architectural heritage, from the former fortifications and religious architecture to a rarely preserved building type.

Summer Programme, Street Art and Glassblowing

The Mardis d’Uzerche is a recurring summer cultural programme that has been running since 2010. Free performances take place at 9 p.m. every Tuesday evening in July and August in the historic centre. The annual programme is multidisciplinary, featuring street arts, circus, theatre, puppetry, dance and music. If a particular Tuesday is important to your trip, check the announced date in advance.

In the Papeterie district, the Graffeterie is dedicated entirely to street art. L’Alchimiste offers a different cultural experience with guided glassblowing demonstrations: several pieces are made in front of visitors while the various glassblowing techniques are explained. The focus is on both the creation of the pieces and an explanation of the steps involved. If glassblowing is of particular interest to you, include the latest visitor information in your planning.

Walks and Activities

There are several ways to explore the old town and its historic heritage. The Uzerche Heritage Trail takes one to one and a half hours. The Simone de Beauvoir Trail, marked with information panels, explores the author’s life and work and leads through a green setting. You can also explore the old town with an audio guide via the Wivisites app. The options vary in duration, subject and format, from a timed walking route and a trail focused on a person’s life to an audio guide to the old town.

Terra Aventura is a treasure hunt offered as a fun visitor activity. Those interested in water activities can rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for use on calm water at the Vézère Passion leisure centre. The Vézère Passion base is about a ten-minute walk from the town centre. When choosing between the options, it is helpful to note that the watercraft listed are intended for calm water.

Discover more destinations: Egletons, Monceaux-Sur-Dordogne, Saint-Julien-Le-Pèlerin, Brignac-La-Plaine, Jugeals-Nazareth, Troche, Laguenne, Sadroc.

For the broader travel overview: Corrèze.