Masléon: Rivers, hiking trails and cultural heritage

Masléon combines river landscapes, hiking trails and historic buildings. If you want to take both nature and history into account when choosing where to stay, you’ll find specific points of interest along the Vienne and the Combade, as well as in the historic townscape.

Rivers and natural surroundings

The Vienne forms a natural boundary of Masléon for a length of 5,530 metres. Small hiking trails run along the banks of the Vienne and the Combade. Another natural feature is the Vallée de la Vienne aux 3 ponts de Masleon, designated as a type 1 ZNIEFF. The area covers 62 hectares and is of faunal, floral and phanerogamic interest, as well as providing habitat for animal and plant populations. These details relate to different spatial scales: the Vienne forms a boundary line, while the ZNIEFF covers an area.

Hiking trails and walks

Masléon’s small hiking trails follow the banks of the Vienne and the Combade. One trail leads to the statue of Saint Léonard near Le Combeau. Walking options in Masléon also include the old streets of Villefranche en Limousin. These suggestions differ according to what you’d like to focus on during an outing: riverside scenery, a specific named destination or a stroll through historic streets. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Bastide and church

Masléon is a bastide, a historic town whose streets were laid out in straight lines and often intersect at right angles. If you’re interested in historic town layouts, look out for the straight streets and intersections as you walk around. The Church of the Assumption of Mary in Masléon was built in 1292. The church houses a painting of the Vierge de Pitié in a frame dating from the 16th or 17th century. Since 6 September 1974, the painting has been listed as a movable historic object. The church’s construction history and the art-historical classification of a single object are distinct aspects.

The bridge over the Combade

The Masléon bridge is on the RD 979 and crosses the Combade. It is a 70-metre-long masonry bridge with a semicircular arch. A semicircular arch has the shape of a half-circle. Together with its masonry, it is a distinctive architectural feature that characterises the bridge alongside its function as a river crossing.

Getting there and finding your way around

Masléon can be reached by TER via Pont du Rateau station. If you plan to travel by train, check the current timetable before your journey. Masléon also has a multi-purpose shop with a bar, tobacco counter and grocery store. If you need a particular service, check in advance whether the shop will be open during your visit.

Discover more destinations: Aixe-Sur-Vienne, Eymoutiers, Saint-Hilaire-Les-Places, Berneuil, Dompierre-Les-Églises, Laurière, Pierre-Buffière, Bonnac-La-Côté.

View the regional travel guide: Haute-Vienne.