Segur-le-Chateau travel guide

Visit Segur-le-Chateau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)

The village of Segur-le-Chateau is situated in the Correze department close to the Dordogne and Haute-Vienne departments.

This picturesque small historic city is classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France' and on the "Route of Richard the Lionheart" as well as recently becoming a part of the «Vézère Ardoise region of Art and History».

Ségur was a an active local city from the 15th century until 1750. At that time it was the centre of the local court area for an area that included a large part of Limousin et Périgord. This flourishing period explains the richness and architectural diversity that you will discover as you explore the village.

Explore Segur-le-Chateau

France This Way review: a visit to Segur-le-Chateau is highly recommended if you are exploring the Limousin region. Even amongst the classified 'most beautiful villages' it definitely rates quite highly and is not to be missed.

Segur-le-Chateau is a very charming place and as you amble through the tranquil setting and the narrow streets of the village it's hard to guess that in the Middle-Ages this was an important local centre for the region.

Close to the main car park, a cluster of unspoiled medieval houses runs along the river and the village is overlooked by the ruins of the castle that stand on a raised hill behind and dates from the 12th century: the castle provides a scenic backdrop for Ségur-le-Château.

The village developed along a meander in the Auvézère river and is dominated by the ruins of the 12th century castle. Built along a rocky spire the first defensive wall leads to a large courtyard with a Renaissance house and the logis des Chevaliers. The second ring of fortifications surrounds the vestuges of the castle keep and also the Chapel of Notre-Dame.

From the river you can follow the road to the Place des Claux, the historic centre of the village where the rich landowners lived, and overlooked by very beautiful medieval houses: the Maison Henry IV House and the Maison Boyer (16th century).

Numerous Renaissance style properties in Ségur-le-Chateau have leaded windows and towers from the 15th and 16th centuries and have been lovingly restored in the village and some have retained the decorative roof elements called "épis de faitage".

On the hill just behind the Place des Claux take a look at the renaissance style windows of the Maison Lou Castel. Also in Ségur-le-Château you can see the 16th century Saint-Laurent Tower.

As you explore the streets you will also notice a rich and varied selection of smaller architectural highlights paying witness to passed centuries such as the fountains and a cross. The Tourist Office and the mairie can give you a map of the village with a suggested route to follow when exploring.

Away from the main streets there is a network of narrow streets with more modest houses in Ségur-le-Chateau, called "charriéroux",and in the Place Jean de l'Aigle you can see some more charming houses.

If you follow the path along the river you get another lovely view across the river to a manor house, very picturesque and rather undiscovered by visitors to the village.

A little further and you can see the river which was once the center of industry in the village, with several mills operating. The mills originally milled flour here, and one mill was used to generate electricity for the village from the beginning of the 20th century.

Also to discover in Ségur-le-Château

The church of Saint-Léger with its contemporary stained-glass windows was realised by the artist called Vincent Corpet, and represents the suffering of Saint-Léger.

Very close to the village you can find the "Parc agricole et paysager du Chedal". This site is officially listed as a 'Remarkable Garden', and you can discover a cabin perched in a tree, a neo-gothic style tower and contemporary sculptures.

Visits to the garden are organised at the time of the «Rendez-vous-au-jardins» (start of June), the European Days of Patrimony (September) and by rendez-vous during the rest of the year.

Several restaurants in the centre of Ségur-le-Château allow you to enjoy your meal while also enjoying a pretty view across the river.

Every monday in July and August, from 5pm, an evening market takes place in the main square in the town. This is a nice occasion to enjoy the local produce in a lively atmosphere and with musical entertainment.

The Ségur-le-Château tourist information office is open from 1 juin to 15 october. Address and phone: Place du champ de foire, 19230 Ségur-le- Château, tel : 05.55.73.39.92. Guided visits of Ségur are organised by the tourist office during the summer season.

Attractions nearby

One popular destination close to Segur-le-Chateau is Arnac-Pompadour, home to the National Stud and also the impressive Chateau de Pompadour.

To the east of here we recommend you visit the town of Uzerche, which has an extensive historical centre and is something of an undiscovered treasure, and to the south the village of Saint-Robert is another lovely village. At Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche you will find a small historic centre and a collegial church of the 12th century.

Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Correze guide and the Limousin guide.