History and Heritage Trail - East Variant
2 points of interest
Sol tapissé d'ail des ours - ©OTCSO 
FloraThe forest of Epagne
The forest of Epagne is particularly remarkable for the nature of its soil. The massif is located on an outcrop of alkaline rocks, while the surrounding rocks are acidic in nature. These rocks (called gabbro) are associated here with other rocks called eclogites.
These particularities give rise to a specific biotope, or habitat, unique in Limousin. There is a mosaic of forest habitats, some of which are of European interest: alluvial forests (bank afforestation), holly and beech forests, scree forests.
Several species living on the site are also remarkable: Greater mouse-eared and Barbastelle bats, Otter (mammal), Sculpin and Planer Lamprey (fish), and Stag beetles (insects).
For all these reasons, the Epagne forest is a Natura 2000 classified site, listed under the European Habitats Directive of 21 May 1992.
Its rarity is also recognised by a Prefectural Decree for the Protection of Biotopes dated 7 July 1994.
La Vige - bsavarypro 
RiverLa Vige
La Vige, a river full of life, running through the protected site of the forest of Epagne, in the communes of Sauviat-sur-Vige and Saint Pierre Chérignat.
La Vige originates on the territory of Saint Junien la Brégère, at an altitude of 536 m.
La Vige is 27.9 kilometres long, this part of the Millevaches plateau located in the Creuse department. It flows into the Thaurion at Saint Martin Sainte Catherine, about fifteen kilometres west of the town of Bourganeuf.
Description
- Turn right on the D 94 towards Sauviat-sur-Vige for 500 m before turning right onto an agricultural path. The trail turns left and then continues straight ahead until you reach the farm of La Martine. Pass behind these buildings and continue on the path to the right until you reach the road.
- Take the road opposite, follow it straight ahead, pass Pontauty and then take the road on the right towards Le Monteil. Take the first road on the right that goes around Le Monteil, follow it for 300 m, then take the path on the left, the gateway to the site of the forest of Epagne. Go straight ahead, leave a track on the left and paths on the right to reach a wide crossroads.
- Take the path at the bottom and go right up to the river, the Vige. Follow the river on the left until you reach the wooden footbridge, cross it, then continue on the upward path.
- At the top of the hill, turn right and continue until you reach the village of La Terrade.
- At La Terrade, go through the farmyard and return to the road on the right. At the last farm, turn left between the buildings, pass the new house and continue to the path to the Pierre Billard road. Turn right, then, 50 m further down the road, take the first path on the left. Follow it until you reach the road to the left. Before the Chez Lord bridge, take the road on the right which runs alongside a large house and its pond towards the mill. Before reaching this building, turn right on the path that leads to the village of Moulin-Jeune via the woods.
- At Moulin-Jeune, go between houses to reach the main road again, follow it on the left for 200 m and then take the first path on the left, surrounded by meadows. Continue straight ahead.
- To return to Le Nouhaud, go as far as the road to La Besse, and turn right to go through the village. At the bottom of this road, follow the road on the left for 500 m. At the crossroads, take the path opposite that borders the meadow to reach the Bois du Nouhaud. Just before the next crossroads, make a short round trip of about a hundred metres to discover the milestone. At the intersection, take the path opposite that leads to Le Nouhaud.
- Departure : Parking on Route D941, Le Nouhaud
- Arrival : Parking on Route D941, Le Nouhaud
- Towns crossed : Saint-Amand-Jartoudeix, Sauviat-sur-Vige, and Saint-Pierre-Chérignat
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Information desks
Place du Champ de Foire, 23400 Bourganeuf
Access and parking
Parking :
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