Visit Aubazine and its superb Canal des Moines

Aubazine
Visit Aubazine and it ...

Aubazine is a very pretty perched village, which dominates the gorges of Coiroux (or Coyrou) located between Brive-la-Gaillarde and Tulle. People come here to take a walk and above all to discover the Canal des Moines, an astonishing and very innovative work at the time of its construction. This is an opportunity for an easy and pleasant family walk with very beautiful landscapes, and as a result a somewhat magical environment where water is an omnipresent element. Come and stroll through the alleys of the charming Aubazine!


Photos of the article: Corrèze guide


Aubazine

The Village of Aubazine, its Abbey and its picturesque little streets

Aubazine is organized around its Cistercian Abbey. To visit the village, park near the Abbey. If you feel like it, stop for a coffee or a drink on a terrace near the plane trees, then embark on a nice trip. Start with the village, we will then go to the Canal des Moines, the must-see of the village!

It is the Abbey which is at the origin of the village and which punctuated its life, also allowing its opening up. In the village, 13 information stations are scattered, you can find a booklet to discover them at the Tourist Office. You can also have fun looking for stations by browsing through the village. The Monastery was founded in the 12th century, you can visit it and discover the different buildings that make it up. Just next door on the same square is the abbey church which dates from the 12th century. Enter the church to discover particularly remarkable furniture.


A women's monastery is located 400m further down from the village, both were affiliated to the Cistercian order in 1147. Consult the discovery map of Aubazine (fr).


Aubazine Monstere
Aubazine church
Aubazine


The village is steep, you visit it by following its narrow streets which are lined with low walls, hiding from view the interior of the pretty village houses, surmounted by elegant porches, sometimes a little austere. Do not hesitate to get lost there, to come across inhabitants of this timeless place, sometimes cows and to enjoy pretty views towards the Abbey. You are on the playground of Coco Chanel, who grew up here, in the orphanage of the Monastery where she was left at the age of 6. It is said that this place inspired his work.


Aubazine
Aubazine
Aubazine

The Aubazine Monks Canal

After visiting the village, go up to the Monastery, behind the church towards the Canal des Moines. There was no water naturally brought here, for the use of the Monks of the Monastery and the inhabitants, when in the 12th century, they settled. Never mind, the ingenuity of the Monks solved this problem by organizing the construction of a canal (a large channel), which winds through the mountain for 1700m, to capture the water of the Coyrou, the torrent which flows nearby, to the village. The 0.5% slope allows a continuous and controlled flow. It is a marvelous example of the engineering of the time, as well as a work of art.

The Canal des Moines is freely accessible all year round, a very nice walk is possible along the Canal, going up the current to the water intake in the Coyrou waterfalls. If the path rises slightly at the beginning, it is then rather flat and easy to walk. Very beautiful views of the gorges and the surrounding hills await you. Guided tours are organized in season by the Tourist Office to find out more about the construction of the Canal.


The Canal des Moines and Aubazine are on the Way of Rocamadour in Limousin and Haut-Quercy, a way to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, a way reopened in 2011, on the initiative of François Ceyrac, President of the association "A Way of St. James".


Aubazine
Channel of the Monks
Channel of the Monks
Channel of the Monks

The Canal and the path that runs alongside it are a real feat for the time. At an altitude of 360m, part is sometimes retained by a retaining wall which then plunges steeply into the Valley 40m below. We will sometimes see that the rock has been split to allow the flow of water without bypassing it.

Channel of the Monks
Channel of the Monks
Channel of the Monks

to discover near Aubazine

To go swimming, refresh yourself after your visit to Aubazine, do not miss to discover the Lac du Coiroux or (a little further) the pretty Lac de Miel. The pretty viewpoint of Roche de Vic next to Beynat, will not fail to seduce lovers of pretty photos, you can see 360 degrees as far as the Monts d'Auvergne!


VIc rock
Coiroux lake

Viewpoint of Roche de Vic and Lac du Coiroux


Did you enjoy this article? Find more on the Blog of the Corrèze Guide and organize your stay thanks to our Facebook page of the Corrèze Guide, we are also on Instagram Guide de la Corrèze.


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