Road trip on the Richard Lionheart road | Limousin

©Sunset over Montbrun castle on the Richard the Lionheart route|@mathilde_rlb

Road trip on the Richard Lionheart road

Have you heard about the Richard the Lionheart Route in Limousin and are you interested? Not sure where to start or which site to visit? 🔍 We have THE solution. 👍 Ready for the trip, we’re taking you on a 3-day road trip to criss-cross this tourist route and discover the sites to visit and our favourites! 💗 All aboard now!

To be carried out in

3 days

min 1 pers.

The stages of your journey

Jour 1
Jour 2
Jour 3

From the Cité de la Porcelaine to the Cité de la Madeleine

Step

01 Step 01

©Cathedrale Ville De Limoges A. Bernardet

©Cathedral Stained Glass City Of Limoges A. Bernardet

Limoges, capital of porcelain

The road trip begins in Limoges. It was in Saint-Etienne’s Cathedral that Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke of Aquitaine when he was just 12 years old. 👑

Discover the Evêché district surrounding the cathedral, with its cobbled streets and gardens overlooking the Vienne River. 🌸

Also make a foray into the Upper Town to admire the picturesque alleyways of the Boucherie district, the Cour du Temple, the Place des Halles… and hunt for the white gold of Limousin: Limoges porcelain! 🤍

02 Step 02

Solignac and its abbey church

A quarter of an hour’s drive from Limoges through the Limousin countryside, the village of Solignac is the second stop on this roadtrip in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart. And it’s also a stopover for walkers on France’s famous Santiago de Compostela route! 🥾

The Romanesque abbey church with its row of domes is unique in Limousin and features antique carved wooden seats. Take time to wander around its walls before discovering the market town and the medieval bridge spanning the Briance. ⛪

🍽️ For your lunch break by the water, treat yourself to the “four-hands” cuisine of Le Quatre restaurant.

03 Step 03

©Visiting Château de Châlucet with children - Family holidays in Limousin France|©Maxime Authier

The medieval fortress of Châlucet in Saint-Jean Ligoure

There’s nothing like a good digestive walk after a meal… The fortress of Châlucet sits on a rocky promontory and, believe us, it has to be earned! 😁

Once you reach the top, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Ligoure forest. In season you can climb to the top of the Tour Jeanette to enjoy the panorama or take a guided tour of the site. 🏰

To extend your visit, you can enjoy a cool break by the water in the Ligoure forest. 🌳

Discover the Fortress of Châlucet

04 Step 04

Saint-Yrieix la Perche, the town of la Madeleine and its medieval centre

Heading south now! The medieval town of Saint-Yrieix la Perche has a rich architectural heritage that will delight your eyes 😍

And if you’re not afraid of heights, the Tour du Plô offers a unique view of the historic centre. 👀

Don’t hesitate to take a stroll through the shopping streets of the town centre to find craft creations and local produce. 🛍️

Our gourmet stop 😋: Le Croquembouche, a patisserie-tea room whose speciality is the madeleine… from Saint-Yrieix of course! Delicious!

🍽️ Where to dine : L’Attanum

🛌 Where to sleep: L’Hôtel de la Tour Blanche

©Visit Saint Yrieix la Perche and taste the Croquembouche madeleines made by David Pouyadoux|©OTI Pays de Saint-Yrieix

©Aerial view from the Tour du Plô in Saint Yrieix la Perche, one of the 100 Most Beautiful Detours in France in Limousin.|© M. REIX - OTI PSTY

One castle can hide another

Step

01 Step 01

©Ségur Le Château, Vue De L'auvézère Fleuri, Pays de Saint-Yrieix|OT Pays de Saint-Yrieix

©Ségur le château maison Henri IV|OTI PSTY

©Ségur Le Château, Pont Sur L'auvézère, Pays de Saint-Yrieix|OT Pays de Saint-Yrieix

©Segur Le Chateau Maison Henri Iv|OTI Pays de Saint- Yrieix , Maxime Authier

Ségur-le-Château, Most Beautiful Village in France

The second day of this roadtrip in France in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart begins at the border between Haute-Vienne and Corrèze. ⚔️

One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France®, Ségur-le-Château boasts a rich architectural heritage. The old shop fronts and house facades are packed with historic details. 🤎

In fine weather, you can enjoy a break on the banks of the Auvézère. 💦

Visit Ségur le château

02 Step 02

The Château de Bonneval in Coussac-Bonneval

In the De Bonneval family for many generations, this château will astonish you with the diversity of its style, which has evolved over the centuries and through the generations. ⚜️

Our favourite: introduce children to the castle with a guided tour in costume, followed by a creative workshop and snack! There’s plenty of opportunity to play knights and princesses in a life-size setting. 🐲

🍽️ What about lunch? Enjoy local cuisine at Restaurant le Kaolin, located at the foot of the castle!

Visit the Château de Bonneval

©Atelier Enfant Au Chateau De Bonneval|Château de Bonneval

03 Step 03

The Château de Châlus-Chabrol

A symbol of the Richard the Lionheart Road, the Château de Châlus-Chabrol has been the scene of numerous battles between the Viscounts of Limoges and the Plantagenets. In 1199, King Richard was mortally wounded in one of them. 🫅

After visiting the castle, enjoy the view from a terrace overlooking Châlus and its surroundings… 🤩

Our tip: In Châlus, head to the old railway station to enjoy a 13km walk 🚶‍➡️à on foot or 🚴🏾‍♀️ by bike along the Voie Verte des Hauts de Tardoire. Bikes can be hired at Châlus station or at the tourist office in Oradour-sur-Vayres.

🍽️ Where to eat: the Taverne de Montbrun and its medieval atmosphere opposite Montbrun castle (in summer, booking required).

🛌 Where to stay: the Au fil du Temps manor house with swimming pool in Châlus

Visit Château de Châlus Chabrol

Favourite art and know-how

Step

01 Step 01

©Chateau De Brie Sleeping At The Chateau|Château de Brie

©L'Incontournable Chateau De Brie Sur La Route Richard Coeur De Lion En Haute Vienne C Maxime Authier|Maxime Authier

Château de Brie in Champagnac-la-Rivière

On the second day of this road trip, set your sights on one of the most beautiful châteaux nestling in the heart of thePérigord-Limousin Regional Nature Park. 💚

This 15th-century stronghold house in flamboyant Gothic style dominates the peaceful Limousin countryside. Discover the imposing granite staircase and furnished rooms of the castle still inhabited today. 🏰

After your visit, discover the little world of automata, dolls animated to music. 🎎

Visit the Château de Brie

02 Step 02

Château de Rochechouart, Departmental Museum of Contemporary Art

The castle of the Viscounts of Rochechouart towers over the valley with its imposing stature. The bridge and towers are impressive, as is the inner courtyard with its twisted columns. 😮

Today the château houses the departmental museum of contemporary art. During your visit, you can see two rooms with 15th-century frescoes and the roof structure. 👩‍🎨

🍽️ What about lunch? Head to the Hôtel de France restaurant to sample cuisine featuring regional produce: beef Limousin, cochon cul-noir, chestnuts, apples… 🐷

Visit the Château de Rochechouart

03 Step 03

©Saint-Junien, medieval city of the Limousin on the Richard the Lionheart route|©Maxime Authier

©Patisserie Faure Saint Junien|©poltourisme

©Cite Du Cuir Saint Junien Initiation Workshop|Manza Studio

The medieval town of Saint-Junien

This town, renowned for its expertise in leather glove-making, boasts a rich architectural heritage. Take the time to stroll through its shopping streets.

Our gourmet stop 😋: at the Faure patisserie, to sample Saint-Junien’s speciality, Arena, an almond-based cake… a real cloud in your mouth!

Shopping tip 🧤: the Agnelle glove factory outlet!

And if you want to find out more about leather, a visit to the Cité du Cuir is a must!

🍽️ Where to eat: restaurant Le Castel de Glane

🛌 Where to sleep: Chambres d’Hôtes reference Le Lauryvan

We like

Limoges

The starting point for your road trip, Limoges is a city with a thousand facets: historic, gourmet, green, creative, festive… let yourself be surprised!

Discover Limoges

The Château de Bonneval

A strategic site in the Franco-English battles, the imposing medieval castle is a must-see on your road trip along the Richard the Lionheart Trail.

Visit the castle

The fortress of Châlucet

Standing on its green promontory, the fortress of Châlucet is just waiting for your visit to whisper the echoes of its glorious and tormented past!

Explore the fortress

Want to follow in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart?

A mythical route to explore by Limousin

Ready for a journey back in time? The Richard the Lionheart Route takes you on a unique journey of discovery, from the south-west of the Haute-Vienne to the gateways to the Dordogne and Corrèze. Over almost 200 km, 23 sites open or accessible to the public line this emblematic route.

Conceived and run by a dedicated association, this tourist route invites you to relive the medieval epic of Richard the Lionheart, between castles, abbeys and fortified towns. Keep your eyes peeled: the crowned lion with the heart pierced by an arrow guides you along the route.

👉 To prepare for your adventure and discover all the sites, visit the official mini-site.

Discover the Richard the Lionheart Route

Taking the time

Admire thousand-year-old stones. Dive into the past. Go on a family treasure hunt in the countryside. Listen to the children laugh and the birds sing. Take a seat in front of one of the castles trodden by King Richard. Savouring local produce. Falling asleep in Limousin and waking up serene. Watching the new day dawn. Continue to discover the Haute-Vienne at your own pace.