Argentat
is a small town
and commune of
the Corrèze
département,
in the Limousin
région of
France. It is
the capital of
the canton of
Argentat.
Geography
Argentat is
situated on the
Dordogne River,
to the south
west of
Bort-les-Orgues.
It is the point
where the
Maronne, a
tributary of the
Dordogne,
converges with
the famous
river. It lies
on the border of
three regions,
Limousin, Quercy
and Auvergne,
although it
officially lies
within the
Limousin region.
Sights
The Dordogne
River is an
impressive sight
and flows
beneath a
viaduct, Le Pont
de la République,
linking the
north and south
sections of the
town.
The Argentat
area is situated
at the junction
of three
regions, the
Limousin, the
Auvergne and the
Quercy, where
the Dordogne
river escapes
from deep gorges
to flow through
a little plain
bordered by
wooded
hillsides.
Its well
preserved and
authentic
picturesque
villages offer
many beauty
spots and
landscapes to
tempt you to
enjoy the open
air. Welcome to
a paradise of
sport and
outdoor
activities,.
Here everything
just cries out
for activities
on the land, in
water and in the
air. Take
advantage of
your stay to
recharge your
batteries and
have fun.
Start planning
your trip now.
You can plan
your holidays to
encompass the
delights of a
correze style
life. Depending
upon the
accommodation
you feel like,
you'll find a
warm welcome,
traditional
comfort or
plenty of fresh
air! You can
choose from a
wide variety of
possibilities.
So "Come on
in!" or, as we
say here
"Achaba d’entrar
".
The Argentat
area is situated
at the junction
of three
regions, the
Limousin, the
Auvergne and the
Quercy, where
the Dordogne
river escapes
from deep gorges
to flow through
a little plain
bordered by
wooded hillsides
Its picturesque communes with well preserved and authentic surroundings. The area contain many beauty spots and landscapes to tempt you to enjoy the open air :
- Roche de Vic (Albussac) : 360° views and viewing diagram
- Roc Castel (St Martial Entraygues) : panorama with views over the Dordogne
- Cascades de Murel (Murel waterfalls) (Albussac) : Site of natural beauty rated by the department
- Le Puy du Tour (Monceaux s/Dordogne) : An ancient Gaulish oppidum overlooking the valleys of Argentat & Monceaux as well as the Maronne confluence
|
|
Argentat, a
town that is a
true tourist
destination,
with its old
bargees’ port,
its
authentically
built barge, its
old style
cobbled
riverside quays,
its traditional
wooden galleried
houses, its
floodlit
riverside and
its historical
old town centre.
If you want to
get to know the
history of our
ancient town a
bit better, take
advantage of :
The Maison du
Patrimoine (open
every day except
Monday from June
to September)
An area showing
the history of
Argentat its
region and its
boat building.
The objects
found during an
archeological
dig at the
Gaulish site of
the Puy du Tour
are also on
display here.
This was a
Second Iron Age
(450 to 50 BC)
grouped
settlement with
thatched wooden
buildings, faced
with lath and
plaster .
Explanation of
local boat
building
complete with a
demonstration of
ancient
navigation
techniques
(every Tuesday
in July and
August at 6pm,
free
entertainment)
Guided visit of
the old town on
offer every
Tuesday at
10.30am in July
and August.(Out
of season,
groups only -
contact us).
Self-guided
visit of the old
town, thanks to
a circuit of its
most important
buildings with
noticeboards
describing their
history.
The Merle
Towers
Right at the
furthest part of
the Auvergne and
of the lower
Limousin, the
Merle citadel
(12th to 14th
centuries) is
perched on a
rocky spit over
a loop of the
river Maronne.
The name “Merle”
given to this
legendary rock
comes from the
world “Merulam”
meaning
“naturally
fortified”.
Many nobles
lived together
here in this
feudal citadel,
using the rocky
peak as a
military haven,
as vassals to
the Viscounts of
Turenne. In
effect, the
fortress acted
as a frontier
post between the
Dukes of
Aquitaine and
the Counts of
the Auvergne.
The many
marriages
between the
noble families
(Merle, Veyrac,
Pesteils, Montal,
Turenne
CarbonniPre and
the Abbots of
Aurillac)
together with
the shifting
power structure,
all contributed
to the
construction of
many fortified
buildings.
The Castle and
Pesteil Tower
were occupied in
1371 by the
English who,
during the 100
years war, were
fighting from
1357 onwards in
the Auvergne and
Limousin. Pope
Gregory X1
intervened to
restore them to
the Pesteil
family.
Once the 100
years war was
over, the Merle
citadel enjoyed
a long period of
prosperity,
during which the
growing “Cité
Ardente” was
names “Ville de
Merle” (The Town
of Merle).
The town
suffered a
bloody period
during the Wars
of Religion,
with the
Huguenots
capturing Merle
Castle in 1574.
It wasn’t until
1576 that it was
liberated by
Antoine de
Veilhan.
The installation
in the 17th
century by the
Duke of Noailles
of a garrison of
falconers was
unable to
sustain the town
which dwindled
steadily and the
castles emptied.
Travellers and
pilgrims
preferred
travelling on
lower ground to
taking the river
route, and the
castles became
forgotten about.
As insecurity
grew, local
people left the
town and
dispersed among
surrounding
villages.
Despite numerous
assaults, such
as that of the
English
occupation in
the 14th century
and the wars of
religion, the
Merle citadel
remains an
exceptional
legacy from the
past. Thanks to
restoration
works and the
creation of an
archeological
site, Merle
castle lives
again. You can
rediscover the
old homes of the
nobles, as well
as 14th century
livestock
raising, farming
and housing.
The Burial of
Chris
« The Reygades
Mystery »
Reygades marks
the transition
point between
the High Quercy
and the Xaintrie.
The chapel of
the old cemetery
contains the
leading
masterpiece of
Limousin
statuary, which
consists of a
15th century
polychrome stone
carving.
This anonymous
masterpiece
shows some
similarities
with the work of
Carennac in the
High Quercy.
The scene
illustrates one
of the Gospel
stories:-
watched by St
Mary and St Mary
Magdalene,
Joseph of
Arimethea and
Nicodemus
prepare to
enroble the body
of Jesus in a
winding sheet
before burying
him.
The Commune of
Reygades has
sought to give
life to this
masterpiece with
a “Son and
Lumiere”
spectacular,
created by
Jean-Claude and
Christine
Monnier. This
couple, in love
with the
Xaintrie, have
written and
created this
show which
consists of
around 200
sequences.
Narrated by the
famous actor
Jean Piat, and
with music
composted by
Jack Labrunie,
this “Son et
LumiPre” shows
off the beauty
of the
sculpture.
The spectacle is
shown
continuously in
the little
chapel of the
old cemetery,
from 9am to 10pm
(9am to 6pm out
of season)
throughout the
year. A
excellent
opportunity to
discover the
riches of our
local heritage.
The Tour Hilltop
Le Puy du Tour
(The Tour
Hilltop) is a
Gaulish oppidum
overlooking the
valleys of
Argentat and
Monceaux as well
as the
confluence of
the Maronne with
the Dordogne.
An encampment
existed at the
Puy du Tour
during the
second Iron Age
(450 to 50 BC).
Naturally
protected by the
steep slopes
leading to the
summit, the site
was completely
occupied by
quite a large
village during
the Gaulish
epoch.
Thus from the
village itself,
the Gauls could
observe the road
leading from
Armorica
(Brittany) to
the
Mediterranean.
Their thatched
houses were of
wattle and daub
(wood covered
with clay) and
the here and
there on can see
holes left by
posts. These
made up the
framework of the
huts whose
placing they
show.
The population
consisted of
farmers but also
principally
craftsmen
working in iron
and bronze. The
site was
excavated by the
archeologists
EusPbe Bombal
(1905 to 1915),
A and J Murat
(1952 to 1969)
and J Murat &
J-M Courteix
(1984 to 1988)
who found many
metal artifacts
of the period,
primarily arms,
jewellery &
tools.
The grain
farmers used
sickles and
millstones.
Their harvest
was then brought
to the summit
where it was
stocked in
silos, just as
water was
stocked there in
cisterns.
The recovery of
many Italian
amphorae
demonstrates
that trade
flourished
between the
village
craftsmen and
the itinerant
merchants who
travelled the
road from the
Mediterranean to
Armorica. These
finds, as well
as models of the
village, are on
exhibition at
the Maison du
Patrimoine
(Heritage
House).
The Pax Romana
led to the site
being abandoned.
During the
Gallo-Roman
period, people
moved to the
valley, as at
the Longour
Villa, and on
nearby plateaux.
Nowadays the
site is
decorated by a
red and white TV
antenna, which
at 408 metres
(1300 feet)
makes sure it is
easily seen from
the Dordogne
valley.
The dams
The Dordogne
river offers
stunning views,
refined
gastronomic
specialities and
has a long and
important
history.... But
at the same time
it’s a river
with 5 large
dams, making a
significant
hydroelectric
contribution to
the economy.
Thus the dams of
Bort-les-orgues,
L’Aigle, MarPges,
Chastang and Le
Sablier
d’Argentat
between them
represent a
hydroelectric
contribution
which completes
that of the Alps
and the
Pyrenees.
Bort-les-Orgues
Dam,
commissioned in
1952 is placed
on the boundary
between the
departments of
Cantal and
Correze. Fed by
the waters of
the Dordogne and
the Rhue, it is
the first in the
great staircase
of Dordogne
dams.
The dam of
hybrid
gravity/arch
type has a
height of 118.8
metres (390
feet) and its
capacity, at 477
million cubic
metres is one of
the largest in
Europe. Its
reservoir is 21
km (12 miles)
long.
The very
impressive
Marèges Dam, of
double curved
arch type was
built between
1932 and 1935 by
the SNCF (French
Railways). It
has a height of
90 metres (295
feet) and a
capacity of 47
million cubic
metres. The
MarPges dam is
the second step
between the dams
of
Bort-les-Orgues
and l’Aigle.
The Aigle Dam
was commissioned
on 1945. The dam
is fed by the
Dordogne, and,
from the right
bank the LuzPge,
Vianon and Aubre
rivers, while
from the left
bank, the Auze
and the Vergne
flow in. The dam
of hybrid
gravity/arch
type has a
height of 84
metres (275
feet), a
capacity of 220
million cubic
metres and its
reservoir is 25
km (15 miles)
long.
The Chastang Dam
commissioned in
1951 is also of
gravity/arch
type. Fed by the
waters of the
Dordogne and the
Glane de
Servieres le
Chateau in the
Xaintrie, it has
a height of 79
metres (260
feet) and holds
up to 187
million cubic
metres.
his is the
furthest
downstream of
the upper
Dordogne dams,
and at 540
megawatts,
generates the
most electricity
of the five.
The Barrage du
Sablier, 2km (1
mile) upstream
of Argentat was
commissioned on
1957. This
gravity type dam
was built to
balance and
regulate the
flow of the
others. In
effect the
Sablier dam
helps to improve
the efficiency
of the reservoir
of the Chastang
Dam further
upstream. It has
a height of 31
metres (100
feet) and a
capacity of 7.2
million cubic
metres.
The Maronne
river, a left
bank tributary
of the Dordogne
also feeds three
dams, those of
Enchanet, Saint
Geniez and
Hautefage.
Boatbuilding
Commercial
navigation of
the Dordogne has
existed since
the 8th century
possibly even
earlier.
The lack of
other links
meant that the
Dordogne had a
very important
role to play,
and it was
mainly river
traffic that
linked the
Auvergne and
Upper Dordogne
regions to
Aquitaine.
The “gabares”,
large,
flat-bottomed
river barges
were better
known as
“Argentats”
named after the
most important
upstream port.
The barges only
carried commerce
downstream, and
went as far as
Libourne.
This navigation
could only take
place when
spring and
autumn flooding
created “trading
water or
travelling
water” (as the
bargees put it)
for only about
27 days a year.
In suitable
weather, the
journey took 5
or 6 days.
Barges could
take ten to
twenty tonnes of
merchandise
consisting
mainly of oak
barrel staves
and chestnut
training stakes
for vines, to be
used in Bordeaux
or Bergerac.
Other local
products such as
cheese,
chestnuts, coal
from the
Argentat mines,
skins from the
tannery at Bort
les Orgues were
only makeweights
to complement
the main cargo.
The crew was
made up of 4 or
5 people. The
Captain occupied
a raised
platform at the
rear of the
barge, which
allowed him to
see over the
cargo and
control things
more easily.
There were two
oarsmen at the
bows, one man
was in charge of
bailing out, and
the fifth, armed
with a long pole
had the job of
fending off the
boat as well as
disengaging it
from the rocks.
No sooner had
they left
Spontour, than
the crew had to
face evocatively
named rapids
(which they
called Malpas -
bad steps)
“Devil’s leap”,
“Despoiler”,
“Wolves hole”
... They had to
avoid rocks,
gravel-banks,
and weirs.
Hardly
surprising that
they had no
hesitation in
asking for God’s
help in
overcoming such
obstacles.
This river based
activity drove
the entire
economy of the
area. Barge
construction
needed many
tradesmen (eg
lumberjacks,
sawyers and
carpenters...),
while the rest
of the
population
(farmers,
fishermen and
miners etc.)
worked to
provide local
produce.
As soon as the
shipment was
delivered, the
barges were
broken up and
the wood sold at
a quarter or
less of its
worth as
firewood. Only
then could the
lightermen make
their way on
foot back
upstream.
The arrival of
the railways and
the creation of
roads in the
early 20th
century marked
the end of river
based trade.
Nearby
Excursions
Discover the
Correzian part
of the Dordogne
Valley
The village of
Aubazine with
its 12th C
cistercian
abbey.
The medieval
town of
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne,
with its abbey
and tympanum, a
classified site
of the Cluny
heritage...
Collonges la
Rouge, a red
sandstone
village listed
as one of the
most beatiful
villages in
France, (don't
miss Curemonte
and Turenne
nearby).
The unspoilt
landscape of the
Xaintrie, with
the mediaeval
fortress of the
Tours de Merle,
the
reconstructed
Middle-Age farm,
and the Reygades
"The Passion".
Also in the
wider Correze...
"The most
beautiful
villages in
France",
Treignac, Saint
Robert, Ségur le
Château,
Uzerche Pearl of
the Limousin,
Pompadour with
its stables,
Bort les Orgues,
its dam and the
château de Val,
the Gimel
waterfalls, The
Fage sink hole…
A trip into the
Cantal… (1 to 1½
hours)
"Most beautiful
villages in
France" : Salers,
Tournemire
The route of the
châteaux
d’Auvergne,
The Auvergne
mountains, and
the "parc des
Volcans"
A trip into the
Lot… (1 to 1½
hours)
"Most beautiful
villages in
France" :
Carennac,
Loubressac,
Autoire
Rocamadour,
Bretenoux..
Caves: (Padirac,
Lacave,
Presque..) ,
safari parks.
