The Neyrat waterfall

4 points of interest

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  Heritage site

  The Tramway train

  To open up the poor regions of France at the beginning of the 20th century, secondary railways were set up, including Les Tramways de Corrèze. This most important line connected Tulle to Ussel and was opened to traffic in 1913. Nicknamed the "Transcorrèzian", it profoundly modified the landscape and, in particular, the architecture of the villages, as evidenced by the stretched-out village of Lapleau. The line used to pass through here before stopping at the station,

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  Waterfall

  The Neyrat waterfall

  The stream to the ponds has its source on the plateau and feeds the body of water at Vendahaut before descending the steep slopes of the Gorges de la Luzège. Turbulent, swirling, it finally leaps and flows off the rock: a stunning sight. Take some time for a break at the edge of the Neyrat waterfall, a relaxing place to enjoy the view.

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  Heritage site

  Charcoal kiln

  Large circular, flattened plots line the path; they are ‘charbonnières’. Charcoal burning, mainly dating from the 19th century, consisted of building a millstone shape out of pieces of wood and covering it with earth. A smothered fire was lit in the heart of the circular platform. This slow combustion made it possible to produce charcoal. Barges transported this coal to the city of Bordeaux for industries using fire (glassware, forges, etc.).

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  Heritage site

  The treasures of the church at Lapleau

  The church of Lapleau is distinguished above all by its Limousin silverware treasures. These religious objects, from the 13th century, attest to the know-how of the Limousin workshops that used the technique of cloisonné (fine silver wire) or champlevé (acid etching), while coloured glasses, enamels or gems enriched the repoussé, hammered and incised metal. Reliquaries were designed to house relics. The reliquary at Saint-Pantaléon-Lapleau would have belonged to Pope Clement VI.