The Lacustrine Dordogne at Monestier-Port-Dieu

Parking spaces are available in front of the town hall/post office and near the church. The hike starts in front of the town hall/post office.

No signposts

(S/E) Start on the road with the town hall on your left and the community centre on your right. Turn right at the first street, ignoring the street on your right that passes in front of the community centre (former town hall). In the bend in the street on the right, turn onto a path that branches off to the left.

Yellow and orange markings

(1) At a fork in the road (the left-hand path is not shown on the IGN map), continue to the right. Then ignore the vague side paths. You will come to a crossroads with a wide stony path, near a house (boui-boui). Caution! See § Practical information.

No markings

(2) Continue straight ahead for a few metres, then follow the unmarked path that branches off to the left. You will come to a road.

(3) Follow it to the left for a round trip to the lake shore.

(4) Retrace your steps to the previous intersection.

(3) Continue along the road that winds upwards. You will come to an intersection with a path that branches off to the left, at an iron cross, where you will find another signpost.

Yellow and orange markings

Follow this path. Further on, ignore a path that climbs to the right and join a road.

(5) Follow it to the left for a round trip to the Site de la Vie. Just after a house, follow the access to the Site de la Vie (sign) on the right. Viewpoint, orientation table. Retrace your steps.

(5) Continue straight ahead on the road. Ignore a street on the left further on. At the crossroads with a wooden cross, turn left and continue to the church. Remarkable altarpiece inside. From the church, go back a few metres and turn left onto Rue du Four (signposted "salle polyvalente"). Turn onto the first street on the left to find the town hall/post office (S/E).

Hike difficulty: Moderate to Easy.

At a place called La Carrière, the marked route continues, as normal, straight ahead on a communal path (verified on the cadastral map). The owners of the house in the woods prevented us from following this route (whose markings they vandalised). We therefore followed the unmarked communal path they showed us.
However, not content with cutting off the marked route, the residents have two dogs running loose, one of which is very aggressive. So be prepared to defend your right of way (there are stones on the path). If you see the owners, don't hesitate to call out to them to make your passage easier (they are not as aggressive as their dogs, for the moment) and, at the same time, ask them innocently why the markings have disappeared!
The problem has been reported to the town hall and the OTCorrèze, which acknowledged receipt (on 15/11/2022). The town hall must take the necessary steps to ensure that the passage remains accessible.
Town hall email: mairie.monestierportdieu@gmail.com

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

Very beautiful trail in the woods at the start of the route, with beautiful oak and beech trees. Break by the lake. Viewpoint and orientation table at the Site de la Vie. Remarkable altarpiece in the church of Monestier.

Other hikes along the Dordogne here.