Visite guidée du cœur historique de Saint Léonard de Noblat et de sa collégiale

The medieval city of Saint-Léonard de NoblatOne of the "Most Beautiful Detours in France" in Limousin.

Visit Saint-Léonard de Noblat

Situated between Limoges and the Lac de Vassivière, the town of Saint-Léonard de Noblat boasts a well-preserved historic heart that’s perfect for strolling around. A stopover on the way to Compostelle (Voie de Vézelay), its Romanesque collegiate church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the “Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France”. Dare to make a detour to Poupou’s town in Haute-Vienne!

Saint-Léonard de Noblat, a renowned medieval city

As you pass through the squares, streets and passages, you’ll see the preserved facades of medieval and Gothic buildings. You’ll pass between the round and square towers, visit the Romanesque collegiate church, slip through secret passageways and spot the remains of the gates and surrounding walls that once encircled the town.

Saint Leonard De Noblat Place Republique Tour Ronde Clocher C Ot Noblat

The origins of Saint Léonard de Noblat

Nobiliacum” first appeared a few centuries before the year 1000. Originally a simple little village overlooking the Vienne valley, the town developed over the centuries. The two main driving forces behind the town’s growth were its dynamic commercial and craft activities, and the development of a cult around the tomb of Saint Léonard, patron saint of prisoners and pregnant women, still venerated today.
Every 7 years, during the popular Ostensions Limousines festival, the saint’s relics are displayed in the town as part of a grand historical procession.

Les petits paradis du Limousin : Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat en Haute-Vienne

Why is Saint Léonard de Noblat a must-see?

Saint Léonard de Noblat is a sure thing in the Haute-Vienne! The historic town attracts many accolades: Plus Beaux Détours de France, Sites et Cités Remarquables, unique Site Patrimonial Remarquable du Limousin, Ville et Métiers d’art… not forgetting its Romanesque collegiate church, listed by UNESCO as one of France’s Pilgrim Routes to Santiago de Compostela!

The must-haves

Good to know

Visit with map and guide in your pocket

Get your free city map from the Tourist Office, the Focus Saint Léonard brochure produced by our guide-lecturers and personalized advice on how to make the most of your stay.

Family fun tour

Kids will love visiting Saint Léonard de Noblat with the Terra Aventura geocaching game. Discover the town’s historic heart, its architecture, its old bridge and its gastronomy… Can you catch the PoïZ “Zéfaim”?

Five "Plus Beaux Détours" in Limousin!

Open the door of the tourist office to get your free “100 Plus Beaux Détours de France” guide. After Saint-Léonard de Noblat, discover Saint-Yrieix la Perche, Aubusson, Uzerche and Meymac, just 1 hour’s drive away.

Fan of Poupou?

Don’t miss the souvenir photo in front of the fresco dedicated to him on the facade of the tourist office, or his tribute statue on the Place du 14 juillet… not forgetting a moment of remembrance in the Jardin du Souvenir!

Continue your stay in Saint Léonard de Noblat

Visit the Moulin du Got
Where to eat?
Where to sleep?
What to do?

The world of papermakers

Immerse yourself in the world of turn-of-the-century papermakers and printers at the last remaining mill in Limousin.

Discover

All restaurants

All accommodations

All activities

Walking around Saint Léonard de Noblat

By bike

Want to pedal in the footsteps of the great cycling champion Raymond Poulidor? Set off on one of “Poupou’s” training circuits in the valleys of the Limousin with a 42 km road loop!

Dans la Roue de Poupou

On foot

A short 4 km loop starting from the town center to discover the Old Bridge district, the banks of the Vienne River, the viaduct and the surrounding countryside.

Circuit de Noblat

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Get on your mountain bike and explore the mills, villages, ponds and streams around Saint Léonard de Noblat. You’ll be following part of the famous Saint-Jacques de Compostelle trail.

Between steeples and ponds