The stunning Limouisin Town of Uzerche

Uzerche is a small but beautiful town located in the Correze department of the Limousin region. Uzerche is often described as "the pearl of Correze" and, once you're lucky enough to spend a bit of time in this picturesque town, you'll see why. With only 3,200 inhabitants, the town is small enough to retain a village charm and enjoys a beautiful setting on the VVzzre River. The surrounding countryside is lush, green and tranquil, making a trip into Uzerche the perfect day out for those staying in one of the many rural gites in Limousin.

The town has an incredibly rich heritage and many of its historical buildings remain today. Sections of the 13th Century ramparts that originally enclosed the town still stand. The town's ancient abbey dominates the area and dates back to the early 11th Century. Boasting intricate limestone carvings, the abbey is an impressive sight and enjoys a spectacular setting at the top of the hill over Uzerche. There is a small tourist office located at the Place de la Libbration. Place de la Libbration itself is very much a focal point of the town and it's here you'll find locals and tourists alike congregating. A popular meeting place, the area has a multitude of shops, restaurants and hotels.

Wandering around the pretty Uzerche streets, you'll see countless 16th, 17th and 18th Century buildings dotted around the town. With their slate roofs and ornately carved window surrounds, the buildings are a photographer's dream.

Uzerche has all the shops you would expect to find in a provincial French town, with a range of butchers, bakeries, delis, tabacs and greengrocers. There are several pretty picnic spots in and around the town so why not stock up on that morning's fresh produce and enjoy a leisurely alfresco lunch while enjoying the views the town's hilltop setting affords?

Uzerche is fairly small so you won't find as many cafes and restaurants as in the larger Correze towns, but there is still a good selection of eateries. Cuisine tends to consist of traditional local dishes, prepared using the best regional produce. Hearty, rich stews consisting of local lamb or beef are a staple of menus here and will satisfy even the hungriest sightseers. The local cheeses also feature heavily on menus and the town's shops are great to pick up a few regional specialties to take back to your gites in Limousin with you. La Joncheix is one of the most famous Limousin cheeses and is a good local buy.