Cultivate your sweet tooth in Haute-Vienne

Sweet specialties in Limousin

We already knew that, but in Haute-Vienne, we’re no slouches when it comes to food – gourmandise is our middle name! You’ll be familiar with some of our savoury specialities, but did you know there are some sweet ones too? 🤔 Every part of Haute-Vienne has its own speciality! We’re taking you on a sweet tour of Limousin! 🥧

At a glance

1. The Arena

Saint-Junien

This cake is named after its creator Paul ARENA, who won the Grand Prix of the Concours National de Pâtisserie in Paris in 1908 thanks to his recipe.

Made with almonds, egg whites, butter and sugar, it is light, fluffy and melts in the mouth. 🤤

It’s the star in Saint-Junien!

Discover the arena

2. Le Pelaud

in Eymoutiers

Let yourself be tempted by this small biscuit made from almond powder and iced with chocolate. The recipe was developed in the 1930s, to the delight of gourmets past and present.

Its name recalls that of the inhabitants ofEymoutiers, a Petite Cité de Caractère® at the gateway to Lac de Vassivière.

If you’re a chocolate lover, this Limousin speciality is for you! 🍫

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Le Pelaud Specialite Gourmande Deymoutiers A Decouvrir Au Detour Dune Balade En Limousin C Benoit Barlet
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©Benoît Barlet

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Marzipan Gateau Aux Amandes Specialite De Saint Leonard De Noblat C Ot Noblat
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Office de Tourisme de Noblat

3. Marzipan

in Saint-Léonard de Noblat

Closely linked to the history of Saint-Léonard de Noblat, this sweet is made from egg white, almonds and sugar.

The biscuit is thought to have been brought to the town by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, who used to carry it in their saddlebags to give themselves strength on the way.

A crunchy exterior under the tooth and a soft interior in the mouth… we’re salivating just writing it! 🤤

+ information about Saint-Léonard marzipan

4. Le Macaron du Dorat

Le Dorat

The Dorat macaroon is a delicious almond-based delicacy.

Crunchy and melt-in-the-mouth, it will delight gourmets visiting this Petite Cité de Caractère®, once the capital of the Basse Marche region.

Legend has it that Catherine de Médicis brought this sweet from Italy. 👸

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Le Macaron Du Dorat Une Specialite Gourmande Du Limousin A Deguster Au Detour Dune Balade
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DR

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Madeleines Saint Yrieix
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D.guillemain R

5. La Madeleine

of Saint-Yrieix

The madeleine is not only made in Commercy, but also in Haute-Vienne 😉

Identified by its shell shape, it has a variety of tastes depending on the recipe, sweet or even savoury!

Go to Saint-Yrieix la Perche to savour it. 📍

+ More information on the Saint Yrieix madeleine

6. Le Burgou

Burgou is a soft, gingerbread-like cake made with honey, almonds and the emblematic Haute-Vienne product: chestnuts.

The name of this cake is a tribute to a mysterious historical figure. Jean Gourinchas, known as Burgou, was the leader of a gang of thieves who plagued the Limousin region in the 19th century. Legend has it that Burgou was a sort of robin hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. ⚔️

So, how do you like a good Burgou? 😉

7. The Treipaïs

the representative of 3 saveurs du Limousin

Treipaïs” is a Limousin pastry speciality created by a group of pastry chefs from Haute-Vienne, Creuse and Corrèze.

It’s made up of two textures and two flavours. The subtle marriage of these elements giving rise to a chestnut mousse, a dark chocolate mousse, a hazelnut dacquoise and a crunchy hazelnut praline. 🌰

It’s original for its triangular, slightly rounded shape and for its name “le Treipaïs”, which means “the three countries” in Limousin dialect. 💚

8. Le Toinou

The LAROUDY artisan biscuit factory in Limousin makes specialities from the Limousin region using regional products. Shortbread biscuits, jams, spreads, gingerbread… and of course the famous soft biscuit “le Toinou”! 😁

Its origins go back to the families of feuillardiers, including Uncle Antoine known as “le toinou”, who loved devouring Aunt Lucie’s cakes. She would make them according to her imagination, mixing chestnuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds… The recipe has been perpetuated over time, with each generation adding its own original touch.

Discover the different flavours of Toinou that will delight your taste buds! 😊