Donzenac
Located in the Correze department, this town of 2310 inhabitants is at 10 kilometres from Brive-la-Gaillarde, in the Limousin region.
The region is valleyed, interspersed with steep escarpments, which for us contributes greatly to its beauty. It is also very verdant, and interspersed with numerous streams and small rivers – much appreciated by the many trout fishers in the region.
We arrived at Donzenac at the beginning of August, when the town was holding its annual two-day medieval festival – a true journey back in time, with the streets filled with entertainers, jugglers, dancers, and various other spectacles, and people wearing traditional medieval costumes. There were also storytellers, minstrels, and demonstrations of traditional trades and crafts, and the chance for children to participate in various activities. The medieaval festival ended with a traditional feast.
In Donzenac, as in much of the region, the roofs of the houses have a peculiarity – they are in blue-grey slate, rather than the red clay tiles that are more usual in the southern half of France. The slate for these tiles is quarried, as it has been for 300 years, in the neighbouring hamlet of Travassac. The quarry can be visited – the enormous rocks (known as the Pans de Travassac) create an interesting a fascinating landscape, with crevasses up to 100 metres deep. Your exploration will take you across suspended footbridges and up staircases carved into the rock. There is also a small exhibition and museum showing the history and techniques ofused in a slate quarry.
For those who enjoy nature and walking in the countryside there are numerous marked pathways in the vivinity, in the beautiful Valley of Maumont – a guide is available (small charge payable) in Donzenac.
Donzenac town itself is not very large, and it is best explored on foot. You can follow the walk around the ramparts. The town contains all the local businesses – butchers, small supermarket, bakers and restaurants serving the traditional cuisine of the Corrèze. Those who enjoy confit de canard will be especially at home! There is also a drink that is local to the area – ‘eau de noix’, using a recipe handed down from generation to generation. As a base the recipe uses walnuts that are still green and in their shells, eau de vie, wine and sugar – our friends offered us some to try and it was delicious! Even better it apparently has medicinal qualities…
Walking peacefully through the narrow streets of Donzenac, lined with ancient houses – some in colombage – one always finishes at the Grand Place. The medieval festival is now finished, but when we hear the far off sound of a tambourine, we start to wonder - is it a trick of the ear, or some phantom of the past, still lurking in the quiet evening at Donzenac…?
(This is a guest article for france this way.)
Visit Donzenac (Limousin, Correze) travel, gites and hotels
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The Donzenac hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Donzenac is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Limousin gites for Donzenac holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Limousin Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: VisitSee Visit Donzenac for places to visit near Donzenac including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Donzenac in our Limousin forum Bergerac airport at 119 km Limoges airport at 79 km Rodez airport at 139 km Donzenac property for saleSee Limousin property for sale
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Places to visit near Donzenac, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Donzenac.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
23 km: Collonges-la-Rouge (Most beautiful village) 36 km: Curemonte (Most beautiful village) 33 km: Segur-le-Chateau (Most beautiful village) 27 km: Terrasson (Gardens of the Imagination) 20 km: Turenne (Most beautiful village) 21 km: Uzerche (Old preserved town)
See also Donzenac (version Francais)
