Marcaillac La Crosille between the lake and the gorges

If you’re looking for hotels in Marcaillac La Crosille, you can plan your stay around your own interests: Lac de la Valette and the surrounding gorges offer water and nature, while historic buildings and trails provide a glimpse into the area’s history. The lake has swimming areas and a range of activities; the Les Agaries route offers insights into the natural heritage and past human activities. Before booking, you can consider which of these aspects matters most for your trip.

Lake, water and landscape

The 230-hectare Lac de la Valette is located within the municipality of Marcillac-la-Crosille. The lake has beaches and swimming areas in an exceptional natural setting. Marcillac Sports Nature is located by the lake and offers canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, pedal boating and Mega SUP. Its activities also include a high ropes course, climbing, a zip line and slackline. Activities such as Nordic walking and archery are also available at Lac de la Valette. As the range of activities may change and swimming conditions should be checked before your trip, find out in advance about current options and bathing conditions.

The Viaduc de Lantourne is 207 metres long, was built in 1949 and spans Lac de la Valette. The Point de vue du Busatier offers a remarkable view of the reservoir formed by the Barrage du Chastang, as well as the steep, forested slopes of the Dordogne Gorges. The Buse de granit granite sculpture offers another way of interpreting the landscape: it depicts a bird of prey and commemorates the remarkable diversity of the Dordogne Gorges as a breeding habitat for birds of prey.

Trails and traces in the valley

The Jardin de Bardot was created by Joseph Mas, known as Bardot, and his wife Maria as a terraced garden on the slopes of the Dordogne Gorges. Today, it is protected and being restored by the Conservatoire Régional des Espaces Naturels du Limousin. You can reach it by a short hiking trail, among other routes; check trail conditions before your visit. From the Jardin de Bardot trail, you can reach the banks of the Dordogne by continuing straight ahead. It’s also advisable to check conditions in advance for this trail.

The Les Agaries route runs from the village of Nougein to the Pierre levée. Information panels there describe the natural heritage and past human activities in the Dordogne Gorges. Along the Agaries stream, you’ll also find mill ruins, Étanchades and dryers from former chestnut groves. These traces tell the story of how the landscape was once used, while the panels highlight the natural environment and its history.

Buildings and local history

The present-day Église Saint-Barthélémy was rebuilt in 1860. Its portal is designed in the Limousin style, and its windows feature glass-concrete glazing. The bell tower becomes octagonal in its upper section and is topped with a slate-covered spire.

The village of Nougein is home to a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It has been known since 1158 and was owned by Aubazine. Around 1775, it had fallen into disrepair; it was restored at the end of the 19th century. The Grotte des maquis, by contrast, is a simple rock shelter in the Dordogne Gorges. During the Second World War, it served as a hiding place for several resistance groups.

The former railway connection is also part of the area’s history: the metre-gauge Tramways de la Corrèze ran from Tulle to Ussel via Marcillac-la-Crosille for much of the 20th century.

Market in the town centre

The market in the town centre takes place every Tuesday morning from 8 a.m. If you’d like to include it in your travel plans, check the schedule before you set off.

Discover more destinations: Chanteix, Sainte-Féréole, Liginiac, Troche, La Chapelle-aux-Saints, Champeaux, Saint-Hilaire-Peyroux, Saint-Bonnet-Les-Tours-De-Merle

For the regional travel overview: Corrèze.