Discover Aixe-Sur-Vienne: Parks, Porcelain and Heritage

Explore Aixe-Sur-Vienne through a range of highlights: riverbanks and parks sit alongside a neo-Gothic chapel, porcelain art and landscaped gardens. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you would like to focus your stay mainly on walks, heritage or crafts. These places differ not only in theme, but also in their design.

Riverbanks, Parks and Paths

Along the banks of the Vienne, the riverside promenade offers more than 1.5 km of paths. Benches and picnic tables also make it a place to take a break outdoors. The Parc des Roches Bleues has a different character: this green space of around 2 hectares lies along the Aixette. The Parc Gilles Clément, meanwhile, is located on the Vienne and has a footpath along Rue de Beauchabrol. Here, the focus is on a longer riverside promenade and two green spaces, each with its own connection to the water.

The Parc d’Arliquet is open to the public and invites visitors to walk along the banks of the Aurence. It also has two ponds used by local anglers. For route planning, there is also the Circuit des puys et vallées en pays d’Aixe: it follows the banks of the Vienne and links local architectural sights. If you plan to take this route, check current trail conditions before setting out.

Chapelle d’Arliquet and Its Grounds

The Chapelle d’Arliquet was built in the 19th century in the neo-Gothic brick style. Religious objects inside include a Pietà, a 16th-century statue of Saint Clare, and four large reliquaries containing martyrs’ relics brought from Rome. There are also contemporary stained-glass windows. The grounds also include a Way of the Cross with 14 stations on the hill and the Grotte de la Passion near the Aurence. A visit therefore takes in not only the chapel itself, but also these two other features of the site.

Gardens and Porcelain Art

Inspired by the Middle Ages, the Jardin Jeanne d’Albret covers 2,800 m² and has four specially designed areas. Medicinal and aromatic plants grow in the Herbularium, while the Hortus brings together vegetable and aromatic plants. The Viridarium is devoted to fruit trees, while the Jardin de Marie is laid out as an ornamental garden. The four areas thus have distinct focuses, from useful plants to ornamental planting.

The Maison de la Porcelaine displays thousands of porcelain pieces in a 1,000 m² building spread over three levels. Hand-painted pieces are also on display; the Maison carries the designation “IG Porcelaine de Limoges”. Visitors can appreciate both the craftsmanship and the scale and layout of the exhibition as separate aspects of their visit.

Renaissance History and Raspberries

The Château de Losmonerie was built in 1540 as a country house in the spirit of the Renaissance. In its gardens, visitors can taste raspberries from more than 100 varieties. Seasonal availability may vary, so check before your visit to see whether tastings are being offered at that time. The gardens thus complement the château’s historical focus with a culinary experience.

The places described offer different points of interest, without requiring you to limit your plans to just one theme.

Discover more destinations: Dompierre-Les-Églises, Saint-Léger-Magnazeix, Saint-Priest-Sous-Aixe, Saint-Vitte-Sur-Briance, Rouffignac, Bujaleuf, Azat-Le-Ris, Saint-Germain-Les-Belles.

For the wider travel guide: Haute-Vienne.