Discover Varetz
Accommodation in Varetz
Varetz brings together several cultural themes, each giving a stay a different focus: sacred art and architectural history, gardens connected with Colette, and the history of the Commanderie de Mons. If you are looking for a hotel in Varetz, these places can help structure your travel plans. The Church of Saint-Julien features art from several centuries; the Jardins de Colette combine a floral park with a biographical tribute; and the Fontaine Saint RĂ©my is associated with local use and legends.
The Church of Saint-Julien and its architectural history
The Church of Saint-Julien dates from the 12th century and is built of red sandstone. Its Romanesque features include two capitals from the same century. Other features include a small gilded wooden altarpiece from the 17th-century Counter-Reformation and the base of a cross from the 14th century. The base depicts the three estates—those who pray, those who fight and those who work. Together, these details reflect several artistic periods: Romanesque forms, a medieval motif and a later altarpiece. Saint-Julien therefore offers several tangible points of interest for visitors interested in architecture or religious art. The church can be visited independently or as part of a guided tour. Check current visiting arrangements before your visit.
A statue of Baron Henry de Jouvenel, created by Paul Landowski in 1933, stands in the square in Varetz. Its creation date is much later than the medieval and early modern works in Saint-Julien. Those interested in the history of the area can compare different periods: the church, with features dating from the 12th to the 17th century, and the 20th-century statue.
The Jardins de Colette
The Jardins de Colette cover a five-hectare floral park, created as a tribute to Colette and the places where she lived. The gardens therefore combine a horticultural theme with a biographical connection. A distinctive feature is the butterfly-shaped maze, covering an area of 5,000 square metres. For comparison, five hectares is equivalent to 50,000 square metres, so the maze occupies around one tenth of the park. This puts the figures into perspective: five hectares refers to the floral park, while the smaller area refers to the maze. The gardens offer visitors of all ages a playful experience. Plants, places from Colette’s life and the shape of the maze give them a different focus from the buildings and works of art in the area.
The Commanderie de Mons and Fontaine Saint RĂ©my
The privately owned Commanderie de Mons in Varetz stands on a hill above the Vézère. Templar Knights lived there from the 12th century until the beginning of the 14th century; the Hospitallers then occupied the site until the French Revolution. This sequence connects the site with two military orders and spans the Middle Ages through to a turning point in French history. The Commanderie has opened to visitors on special visiting days. Check before travelling to see whether a visit is available.
The Fontaine Saint Rémy lies at the foot of the Temple de Mons hill. It is open to the public and available to local residents; it was intended for pilgrims passing through. It is also known as a miraculous fountain and is associated with several legends. This brings together the fountain’s purpose and local traditions, offering a different perspective on Varetz from its dated buildings and works of art.
Getting there
Trains and buses run from Brive to Varetz. Check current timetables before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Clergoux, Seilhac, Turenne, Egletons, Chamboulive, Lapleau, Laguenne, Tulle
For the broader travel overview: Corrèze.
