Aubazine is a village situated in the south-west of the Corrèze department, about 15 kilometres east of Brive-la-Gaillarde. Note that the village is also called Aubazines, they are both the same place and the name is interchangeable!
Explore Aubazine
France This Way review: Aubazine is a pretty village with an impressive church and beautiful scenery around the villazge, and a visit is recommended as you explore the Corrèze department
Although the abbey church is the principal reason that visitors come to Aubazine, the other parts of the village are also attractive so make sure you explore while you are here!
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Abbey Church of Saint-Etienne in Aubazine
The church overlooks the large square in the centre of Aubazine, and was founded in the 12th century. The abbey was created as a 'double abbey' with a monastery for monks and a separate monastery for nuns.
The abbey was successful for several centuries, and in the 17th century the very large dormitory that we see today was built, to house 300 monks.
Development of the buildings continued into the 18th century, although it was becoming very expensive to maintain the buildings, so in 1731 a half of the church nave was demolished to reduce costs of maintenance (the part demolished was almost 100 metres long!).
At the time of the revolution, the monastic community was dissolved (as with all monasteries in France) and the church became the village church for Aubazine. Part of the buildings of the abbey became an orphanage from the late 19th century, and Coco Chanel passed a part of here childhood here.
The facade is a simple design with three small windows and three bells, although the main body of the church dominated the centre of Aubazine.
Inside the church you can see the tomb of Saint-Etienne of Aubazine, a very rare 12th century wardrobe, a charming 15th century fresco called the Vierge de Pitié and the wooden stallls, carved in the 18th century.
Elsewhere in Aubazine
In the centre of the square in front of the church you can see a stone fountain, and at the end of the square you can find the tourist information office for Aubazine.
On the road behind the abbey there is a footpath that allows you to see the Canal des Moines, a small canal that brought water to the abbey from the 12th century.
Although the church Saint-Etienne and the associated monastic buildings dominate the centre of Aubazine, there are other attractive buildings here, including the mairie, built of red stone, and several streets of traditional Limousin cottages.
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Attractions nearby
Coiroux lake is a leisure lake in the countryside not far from Aubazine.
The village of Collonges-la-Rouge is built almost entirely of red sandstone and very beautiful, quite unlike any village you have seen elsewhere!
The towns of Tulle and Donzenac are not far from Aubazines, and both are a pleasure to explore.
You can find more travel ideas in the Correze guide and the Limousin guide.
Photos of Aubazine
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Map of Aubazine and places nearby
Visit near Aubazine with France This Way reviews
Collonges-la-Rouge
The village of Collonges-le-Rouge is very distinctive, being built almost entirely from red rock
Collonges-la-Rouge guide
Tulle
The area around the cathedral and the river frontage in Tulle both add to the charm of the capital of Correze
Tulle guide
Donzenac
Both the medieval centre of Donzenac and the steep wooded slopes that surround the village contribute equally to its charm
Donzenac guide
Meyssac
Meyssac is a village in Correze with an interesting historic centre built in the famous red sandstone of the region
Meyssac guide
Turenne
The medieval village at Turenne still also has two fortified towers, and beautiful views across Limousin
Turenne guide
Les Jardins de Colette
The Jardins de Colette is a garden which represents the life of Colette in a series of gardens.
Les Jardins de Colette guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Correze
Address: Aubazine, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Limousin, 19190, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.174666, longitude 1.669444
Plan your visit to Aubazine, Correze
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Collonges-la-Rouge: most beautiful village (13 km)
- Donzenac: village d'etape (13 km)
- Gouffre de la Fage: site of natural beauty (14 km)
- Turenne: most beautiful village (15 km)
- Cascades de Gimel: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Curemonte: most beautiful village (21 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Carennac): religious monument (29 km)
- Carennac: most beautiful village (29 km)
- Uzerche: village d'etape (29 km)
- Jardins de l'Imaginaire: remarkable garden (29 km)
- Castelnau-Bretenoux Chateau: national monument (33 km)
- Abbaye Sainte Marie (Souillac): religious monument (35 km)
The French version of this page is at Aubazine (Francais)