The pretty village of Turenne is 15 kilometres south of Brive in the Limousin region of France, and officially listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
In total contrast with nearby Collonges-la-Rouge the stone used to build the houses in Turenne is not at all red - it's amazing what a difference a few kilometres can make!
Explore Turenne
A pretty village with lots of unspoiled traditional Limousin houses, Turenne sits on the edges of a small hill and as a result there are some lovely views from the top of the village across the Limousin countryside and forests to the mountains beyond.
Note: you might not find the hill so small if you climb to the top with small children on a hot day - it is steep!
In fact there are two routes between the bottom of the village and the castle: a direct route straight through the village, which is steeper but has some shade, and a more gentle route to the right hand side of the village. We prefer going up on the gentle path and coming down the steeper route!
The pretty 13th century village has many lovely stone houses to enjoy, most of them built in the 15th and 16th centuries and frequently with individual highlights such as watchtowers that will attract your interest. The narrow streets are also largely pedestrianised which makes it a pleasure to explore.
In the centre of the village you reach the Place du Marché, the main square in the historic centre of Turenne and where you can see several imposing townhouses built by important local families in the 17th century.
This square was at the crossroads of the main roads through Turenne in medieval times. A market hall stood here from 1616 until 1952 and would have been the centre of activity in the village life.
The towers that stand at either end of the hill behind the village will also attract your attention and are all that remains of the fortress that once stood on the cliff behind the village. The circular 12th century César Tower is the older of the two while the square donjon tower was constructed some 100 years later.
The towers are now separated by a nicely maintained garden and a substantial part of the original fortified wall of the castle.
As you explore Turenne we recommend you visit the castle, above all for the exceptional views: see Turenne castle for visitor information and history of the castle.
Looking down across the village from the castle is the best way to appreciate the lovely rooftops in Turenne and to see the conical roofs on top of the towers.
Elsewhere in the village when you follow the path to the right of the centre of Turenne you will see the Porte de Mauriolles, one of the original stone gateways that allowed access through the fortifications of the town, and the calvary Tower which was also part of these defences.
The defences were built in the 16th century to protect Turenne during the Wars of Religion, although earlier fortifications had already been built closer to the to of the hill. You can see remaining parts of the fortified walls as you explore.
The Collegiale Church of Notre-Dame here is the most important religious monument in Turenne and was built in the 17th century. The church once had a cemetery and land that was used for livestock markets but neither of these can be seen today. Although the church is rather austere, you should step inside to see the very decorative altarpiece, added in 1678.
There is a choice of bars and restaurants in the village, both on the edge of the historic village and within the Place du Foirail.
Attractions nearby
There is bicycle hire shop in the tourist office if you feel like exploring the area around Turenne.
The village of Turenne is close to two other 'most beautiful villages' at Curemonte and Collonges-la-Rouge, and a day exploring these three villages is very rewarding - partly because they are all very lovely, and partly because they each show a different aspect of the local historical architecture.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Correze guide and the Limousin guide.
To make travel arrangements to visit Turenne see HERE
Find Turenne Hotels and Holiday Rentals
Reserve excursions near Turenne
Photos of Turenne
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See complete Turenne Photo Gallery
Map of Turenne and places nearby
Places to visit near Turenne
Chateau de Turenne
Turenne castle is a very ancient castle, with beautiful views across Correze
Chateau de Turenne guide
Collonges-la-Rouge
The village of Collonges-le-Rouge is very distinctive, being built almost entirely from red rock
Collonges-la-Rouge guide
Meyssac
Meyssac is a village in Correze with an interesting historic centre built in the famous red sandstone of the region
Meyssac guide
Martel
Numerous medieval towers and other fascinating buildings ensure that Martel retains its historic charm
Martel guide
Curemonte
In a lovely hilltop position, Curemonte is less touristic than many of the 'most beautiful villages in France' but certainly should be visited
Curemonte guide
Aubazine
Aubazine is a small village in Corrèze with an important 12th century abbey church
Aubazine guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Correze
Tourist classifications for Turenne
Turenne is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Turenne, Meyssac, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Limousin, 19500, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.054, longitude 1.5825
Plan your visit to Turenne, Correze
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Collonges-la-Rouge: most beautiful village (6 km)
- Gouffre de la Fage: site of natural beauty (7 km)
- Curemonte: most beautiful village (15 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Carennac): religious monument (19 km)
- Carennac: most beautiful village (19 km)
- Abbaye Sainte Marie (Souillac): religious monument (20 km)
- Donzenac: village d'etape (20 km)
- Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac: remarkable garden (22 km)
- Jardins de l'Imaginaire: remarkable garden (23 km)
- Gouffre de Padirac: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Castelnau-Bretenoux Chateau: national monument (26 km)
- Saint-Amand-de-Coly: most beautiful village (26 km)
The French version of this page is at Turenne (Francais)