Discover Saint-Martial-De-Gimel

Saint-Martial-De-Gimel can be explored through three specific themes: the Église Saint-Martial and its architectural and art history, the Sentier de Saint-Agnol as a hike lasting several hours, and the Vallée de la Montane with its botanical features. These highlights offer different points of reference for planning your trip: the church and busts represent history, the marked trail offers a longer hike, and the valley presents a distinct natural theme.

The church and its historical context

The Église Saint-Martial dates from the 12th century. Its architectural features include a triumphal arch, a capital with an abacus and small chapels. A capital is the upper part of a column or pier; the abacus sits at the transition to the arch. These terms can thus be understood in relation to specific parts of the church’s structure.

The two busts are also located in the Église Saint-Martial: they are identified as Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian and date from the late 17th century. They were registered as protected objects on 13 February 1998. The church and the busts reveal different historical periods: the building from the 12th century and works of art created several centuries later.

The valley and its plant life

The Salabert flows through the village. The Vallée de la Montane vers Gimel is designated a type 2 ZNIEFF and covers 1.2 percent of the commune’s area. Below the Gimel waterfalls, the valley is deeply incised. Botanically, it is notable for its great diversity of ferns, including almost ten remarkable species and very rare hybrids of the genus Asplenium. The terrain and plant life are two distinct features of this natural theme.

The Sentier de Saint-Agnol

The Sentier de Saint-Agnol starts at the church, passes through several hamlets, including Saint-Agnol, and runs through a grassy valley with beautiful panoramas. It is classified as an easy hike and is listed as taking about three hours and 30 minutes. The trail is marked in blue and is included in the PDIPR trail network.

For planning purposes, consider the difficulty rating and the time required separately: an easy rating does not mean the hike is short. Around three and a half hours is a substantial block of time in your day. The description also specifies the route and scenery; the blue markers and inclusion in the PDIPR trail network add information about the trail’s markings and network affiliation.

Practical information for planning your trip

A municipal swimming pool is listed in the 2025 tourism guide. As opening is seasonal, check before your trip whether the pool will be open on your dates. The Le Cap Vert restaurant is located at 8 Route de Saint-Priest, 19150 Saint-Martial-De-Gimel. If swimming is important to your plans, take the seasonal note into account separately from the restaurant address.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Robert, Beaumont, Cublac, Saint-Viance, Marcouyeux, Saint-Ybard, Chauffour-Sur-Vell, Goulles

For the wider travel overview: Corrèze.