Bort les Orgues: a village, a dam and above all, its organs!

Bort-les-Orgues
Bort les Orgues: a vi ...

Bort-les-Orgues is a Green Station, a very pleasant place for holidays due to its plural nature: there are plenty of things to discover there and the town is ideally located for touring the region and making visits and sports activities, nautical. Bort-les-Orgues takes its name from its astonishing rock formation which dominates the village, the “organs. These are sorts of columns, octagonal, reminiscent of the pipes of organs (musical instrument). Come with us to discover the attractions of Bort-les-Orgues in the Dordogne Valley.


Photos of the article: Corrèze guide


Mount website
View from the Mont site, on the reservoir of the Bort-les-Orgues dam and the Château de Val

The Village, the organs of bort

The village of Bort-les-Orgues is equipped with all the necessary amenities, there are 2 or 3 shopping streets and a pleasant square to sip a drink or a coffee. You won't necessarily spend hours walking around there, but you can discover the interesting Tannery Museum, an activity that once flourished. The leather trades have found their fulfillment in Bort-les-0rgues, as well as the work of silk, the manufacture of leather and wood galoshes and millinery (hat manufacture).

Bort-les-Orgues
Bort-les-Orgues
Bort-les-Orgues
Bort-les-Orgues


Take your car, go to Avenue Gambetta to enjoy a nice view of the Orgues, from afar. Then, set off to attack this plateau to get a closer look at these curious basalt columns which date back 15 million years. The road winds, you can see pretty views of the heart of the town, then you arrive on the plateau, park your car (parking is free). The organs are at an altitude of 790 meters and run for more than 2 kilometers in length! From there you will enjoy a sumptuous view of the Massif Central. An orientation table will detail the peaks to contemplate, between the Monts du Cantal and those of Puy-de-Dôme.


Bort-les-Orgues
Bort-les-Orgues


Once at the top, you can have a snack or a drink at the bar facing the view. Picnic tables are at your disposal as well as 2 walking routes to discover the natural environment. Climbing enthusiasts will find on this site, about thirty interesting routes and some in 2 lengths of the multi-pitch type.


Do you like to walk? A hiking trail leaves the village to go to the Bort organ plateau! This is the “Chemin des Sacristrains” (4.5 km).


Bort-les-Orgues

The Bort-les-Orgues dam and the reservoir near the Château de Val

Have you finished your hike? Want to relax and cool off? Direction the Château de Val site, to go swimming on the beach of the Bort-les-Orgues dam reservoir. Several beaches are available (fr) along this gigantic 21 km long reservoir (the third largest in France).

The Castle, which dates from the 15th century, once dominated a Valley 30m high, which is now covered by water to supply the electric dam in 1951. It is an elegant castle with its 6 towers which now observe today with peace of mind, tourists enjoying the attractions of the lake. In season, you will discover art exhibitions and shows and concerts “Wednesdays at the Castle”.

The reservoir is an unparalleled land of nautical activities! You can swim, sunbathe, jump on inflatable structures, take a speedboat ride, practice water skiing, rent canoes/kayaks, motor boats (even without a license) and on the beach, children enjoy games and trampolines.


Castle of Val
Chateau de Val Beach
Val castle interior
Pleasure boat rental chateau de val


To enjoy a sumptuous view of the dam's reservoir, we recommend that you stop at the site of La Vie. A little further on, after a nice walk, you will discover the site of Saint-Nazaire, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Corrèze, over the Gorges de la Dordogne.


Website of Life Monestier Port Dieu


If after all these adventures you still have energy, we recommend that you visit the very informative EDF information center at the Bort-les-Orgues dam. Free, it allows you to understand the issue around the construction of hydroelectric dams in general and more specifically that of Bort-les-Orgues. With models, interpretation panels, archive photos, games, information on the preservation of flora and fauna and technical information on the operation of the dam, it is a complete and accessible place to the whole family.


Bort-les-Orgues Dam
Bort-les-Orgues Dam
Bort-les-Orgues Dam
Bort-les-Orgues Dam
Bort-les-Orgues Dam

We wish you happy holidays in the Bort-les-Orgues region!


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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