Sainte-Féréole: History, Forest and Pond

Different interests come into focus during a stay in Sainte-Féréole: the pond, with opportunities for walks and fishing; trails exploring the history of the Résistance; and the forests and springs of the Saulières. The church, municipal swimming pool and skatepark add to the options. When planning your trip, you can give different priority to cultural history, landscapes and leisure activities.

Pond and walks

The Sainte-Féréole pond is open year-round and free to access. There is a picnic area on the shore, and the wooded surroundings offer opportunities for walks. This lets you combine a visit to the water with time among the greenery.

Fishing is also possible at the pond. It is stocked with roach, gudgeon, tench and carp; the species stocked may change. Before a fishing trip, check the applicable fishing seasons and regulations.

Forest landscapes and wildlife

The hiking trails of Sainte-Féréole pass through deciduous woodland and descend to streams that have shaped the local terrain. Maritime pines grow alongside deciduous trees in the Forêt des Saulières, the only forest of this kind in the Corrèze department. Red deer and roe deer can be found there, as can migratory birds, including cranes and wild geese.

The Cirque des Saulières is also shaped by its springs. It has numerous springs of excellent quality, and newts and salamanders can be found nearby. The forest, waterways and wildlife offer nature enthusiasts a variety of ways to explore the area's landscapes.

Church and the history of the Résistance

The history of Sainte-Féréole's church dates back to the 12th century. According to Victore Forot, the church, which was presumably made of wood, was replaced by a stone building at that time. The altarpieces from the 17th and 18th centuries were restored in 2001. The main altar is listed in the French register of historic monuments.

Another historical landmark is the Bordeaux–Lyon Roman road, which runs through Sainte-Féréole. The Chemin de mémoire des Saulières focuses on a different aspect: this walking trail, about four kilometres long, is suitable for the general public and covers the first four Maquis camps established by the Armée Secrète in 1943.

Slate plaques along the Chemin de mémoire explain the Maquisards' surroundings, the political context and the lives of Résistance fighters at four sites they occupied: Le Chat Huant, le Trou du Loup, and the farms of la Besse and le Treuil. There is also a Résistance trail featuring renovated huts and former Maquisards' hiding places.

Leisure activities and getting there

The municipal swimming pool in Sainte-Féréole has water features for young children. Check before your trip whether these facilities are currently available. The skatepark is designed for skateboarding, roller skating and freestyle scootering; check the current access conditions in advance.

For travel by train, the nearby SNCF station at Brive-la-Gaillarde provides rail access to Sainte-Féréole. Train services and journey times may change, so check current connections before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Bort-Les-Orgues, Lacelle, Noailhac, L'herbeil, Saint-Mexant, Sarroux, Perpezac-Le-Noir, Goulles.

For the main travel overview: Corrèze.