When La Vie smiles at you

6 points of interest

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  Heritage site

  The church

  On the way back from the walk, don't miss the detour to the church and its superb 17th-century altarpiece, classified as a Historic Monument in 1965 and restored in 1991. The central board has an original feature. The original canvas having disappeared, it has been replaced and the background of the present painting represents the site of La Vie before the dam was filled with water.

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  Heritage site

  The village of Monestier

  This village of 103 inhabitants is located overlooking the Dordogne.
  The name Monestier signifies the presence of a monastic establishment founded in the 12th century by the monks of Port-Dieu. It was named Monestier pres le Port-Dieu and then became a parish.
  Originally, the commune extended as far as the Dordogne, which was only a river, but the dam's impoundment in 1951 changed the face of the valley. The villages of Le Mialet, La Jugie and Estreture, as well as the railway line, are under water.

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  Small patrimony

  The pendulum well

  In the 18th century, a manorial residence, the seat of a barony, existed in the village on the site of the building now built as a school.
  The pendulum well near this building is a remnant of the former castle farm. Its operation is simple: it is based on the principle of a lever, supported in its middle on a pivot, and carrying a container at one end and a counterweight at the other. Simply vary the weight of one of the arms to give it a rocking movement.

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  Panorama

  Le Massif du Sancy

  This hike will offer you several viewpoints over the highest volcano in mainland France, the Puy de Sancy. At 1885 metres above sea level, this summit is the highest point of the Massif Central. The two streams, the Dore and the Dogne, originate there and their confluence forms the Dordogne.

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  Small patrimony

  The La Jugie Cross

  This cast iron cross was saved from the village of La Jugie which today lies under the waters of the Bort dam. It is located on the old road that used to connect the village to the market town. In cast iron, it is decorated with an iconography of Christ, a chalice and two angels. The inscription, La Jugie, was added when it was restored in the 1990s.

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  Panorama

  The site of La Vie

  Dominated by the ancient volcano of Cantal, the Château de Val, dating from the 15th century, remains one of the best-preserved in Auvergne and Limousin.
  When the dam was impounded in 1951, its natural environment was modified. Built on a rock more than 30 metres high, overlooking the Dordogne Valley, the feet of its walls were indeed surrounded by the waters of the Dordogne.
  This château is open to visitors and holds a famous painting exhibition every year in summer.