Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche travel guide
Visit Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitThe town of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is a town in the very south of the Haute-Vienne department of southern France, with Limoges to the north and Excideuil to the south.
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France This Way review: although there are not many important monuments in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, the small historical centre is interesting and a pleasure to explore
There is a large car park on the edge of the historic town, from where you can cross an ancient stone bridge and pass through one of the stone gates that originally controlled access to the centre of the town.
Just inside the gate there is a small secluded garden with a couple of benches where you can enjoy a picnic.
From here you quickly reach the Place Attane, where you can see some interesting ancient houses in stone and colombage as well as the side of the principal monument in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, the Collegiale church of Saint-Yrieix.
The earliest religious settlement was established here in the 6th century although nothing visible remains of this ancient settlement. The earliest part of the church we see today is the belltower, part of a 12th century reconstruction, and the remainder of the church was largely built before the end of the 13th century.
As with many churches in France, because of a series of reconstructions and modifications over the centuries you can see more than one style - for example the belltower if in the roman style but the choir area is in the more recent gothic style.
Note in particular the arches around the entrance in the belltower, and the statue of Christ above the gothic style doorway on the south side of the church.
Another ancient monument in the town centre is the Tour de Plô, the remains of a tower built in the 12th century.
If you follow the streets through the centre of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche you reach a second square, the Place du Marché, which was the centre of the town in medieval times. Around the edges of the square you can see some more historic houses, and also find several shops and restaurants.
In the municipal library you can see a display of a rare illuminated bible from the 12th century.
A short distance outside the historic centre, up the hill, you can see the imposing mairie of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, built at the end of the 19th century and dominated by a tall thin tower.
Attractions nearby
About 15 kilometres south-est from Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche you can visit the pretty village of Segur-le-Chateau, and a little further in the same direction you will find the market town of Excideuil.
Important castles in the area include the Chateau de Jumilhac and the Chateau de Hautefort, both of them very imposing.
You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Vienne guide and the Limousin guide.
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Map of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche with France This Way reviews
Chateau de Jumilhac
The Chateau de Jumilhac is in the northern Dordogn, within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park
Chateau de Jumilhac guide
Segur-le-Chateau
The part of Segur-le-Chateau with medieval houses next to the river is especially beautiful, but elsewhere there is also much to enjoy
Segur-le-Chateau guide
Lubersac
Lubersac is a small town in Corrèze with a church and a 15th century house among its historic monuments
Lubersac guide
Arnac-Pompadour
The village of Arnac-Pompadour is centre for a Haras National, and also has an imposing 15th century castle
Arnac-Pompadour guide
Excideuil
The town of Excideuil in the northern Dordogne has a lively market every Thursday and is close to two of the most important castles in the region
Excideuil guide
Chalus
Châlus is a small market town with two ruined castles in the Monts du Chalus region of Limousin
Chalus guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Vienne
Tourist classifications for Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)
Address: Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, Limoges, Limousin, 87500, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.5141666, longitude 1.203888
Plan your visit to Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, Haute-Vienne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Segur-le-Chateau: most beautiful village (12 km)
- Saint-Hilaire-les-Places: ville fleurie 4* (15 km)
- Magnac-Bourg: village d'etape (21 km)
- Pierre-Buffiere: village d'etape (23 km)
- Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Thiviers): religious monument (25 km)
- Abbatial church de Saint Pierre (Solignac): religious monument (27 km)
- Jardins du château de Hautefort: remarkable garden (29 km)
- Uzerche: village d'etape (30 km)
- Saint-Jean-de-Cole: most beautiful village (30 km)
- Perigord-Limousin: regional natural parc (33 km)
- Jardin de Liliane: remarkable garden (34 km)
- Réserve naturelle régionale Étang de la Monnerie: site of natural beauty (35 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche (Francais)