Limousin is one of the most rural and least populous regions in France but there are many cute medieval towns worth exploring there, especially while driving from Paris to Toulouse. I stopped at a few little towns along the way but Uzerche was my favourite and not surprisingly is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Limousin.
Uzerche is most well known for its turreted houses and castles built by nobles in the middle ages which dominate the town’s skyline.
The weather in France this February was unseasonably cold which made it difficult to wander around the city but along with the turreted buildings the main attractions are the 11th century Romanesque church and the little shops and cafes found throughout the old town. If the weather was better we would have walked along the riverside and had a picnic near the old bridge.
One of the quirky aspects of the town is this turtle monument located up on the bridge. I think it has something to do with the war but I didn’t have time to figure out what it was about because it was –15C and I was afraid if I stopped for too long I’d freeze on the spot. The bitterly cold temperatures also explain my weird stance and expression.
The Librarie (bookshop) and Salon de Thé on Place Elmetti is a great place to warm up with a gourmet tea and cake in the afternoon. We visited on a Saturday afternoon in winter and this was pretty much the only cafe open in the entire town but the staff were very welcoming and there was a great selection of tea and coffee available.
Uzerche is in lower Limousin and is just off the main highway between Limoges and Toulouse. While in the region you might want to visit a couple of other medieval towns like Tulle and the very pretty Brive La Gaillarde.
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Despite the chilly weather…okay downright frostbite inducing weather, your photos are brilliant!! The blues are so crystal and the stone facades are crisp!! Love it!
Thanks Jeff! Although it was exceptionally cold, I loved the sunny weather we had during the trip. I much prefer that over the grey skies you normally get at that time of the year and it helped me to get some nice pics.
What a beautiful and quaint little town. I have been to France twice but I have yet to explore the Limousin region. It looks like so much fun. When I travel I love to explore small villages and towns by just walking around, stopping at a pub or cafe and asking a local what to do around the town. You can’t get that kind of advice from a guide book!
That is exactly what I like to do when visiting small towns, you see everything just by wandering around. There are so many cute towns like Uzerche in France. I wish I had the time to visit more of them.