In the footsteps of Simone de Beauvoir in Uzerche

A magnificent walk overlooking the Vézère river, following the route of the old "Paris Orléans Corrèze" railway line on the way there, returning on the other bank along the Vézère and crossing the old town of Uzerche.

Details

2879475
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 50 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 46 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 338 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 289 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the old railway station in the centre of Uzerche, opposite the old town, between Rue Paul Langevin and the Vézère (right bank), shortly after the Turgot Bridge. Follow the Vézère river, going up the old Paris Orléans Corrèze railway line. When you reach the crossroads near Les Carderies, continue straight ahead on the path, which is tarmac at this point. Cross the bridge over the Vézère river.

(1) After crossing the bridge, continue until you reach a path descending to the right. The path is marked in yellow with the numbers 1 and 2. Do not take the yellow route No. 6, which comes from the opposite direction and climbs towards Espartignac via a path on the left. The path, which is not marked on the map, quickly joins the road, which you should follow to the right. Shortly after crossing the Troh stream, leave the red-marked path and take the yellow-marked path that descends to the right. Follow the Vézère to the Minoterie.

(2) Pass on the left as close as possible to the flour mill, then walk along the car park as close as possible to the Vézère. Opposite the footbridge, move away from the Vézère via a path that winds around before reaching the road, which you should take on the right. Walk up Rue de l'Abreuvoir. Cross the main avenue and continue to the Porte de la Bécharie.

(3) Continue up the street after the city gate. Leave the marked route momentarily to take a street on the right leading to the Prince Noir tower. Reach Place de la Libération, the esplanade and the back of Saint-Pierre Church.

(4) The entrance to the crypt is located at the rear of the church. Cross Place de la Libération again and rejoin the marked route by taking the street on the right. Go down on the right via Rue Tue Pierre Chalaud, then Rue de la Justice, which has several old buildings and castles. When you reach the main avenue, turn right to reach Pont Turgot.

(5) Cross the Turgot bridge and, at the roundabout, turn right onto Rue Paul Langevin. Continue to the old railway station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 298 m - Former Uzerche railway station
  2. 1 : km 2.05 - alt. 290 m - Bridge over the Vézère. Confluence with the - Troh (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Vézère
  3. 2 : km 3.96 - alt. 291 m - The Minoterie
  4. 3 : km 4.69 - alt. 318 m - Porte de la Bécharie
  5. 4 : km 4.9 - alt. 338 m - Crypt of the Église Saint-Pierre
  6. 5 : km 5.56 - alt. 296 m - Turgot Bridge on the - Vézère (rivière)
  7. S/E : km 5.81 - alt. 298 m - Former Uzerche railway station

Notes

Simone de Beauvoir spent part of her holidays in the region as a child, hence the name given to this route by the municipality.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 27738666

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant parish-specific to Brittany walk along the banks of the Vénère, very peaceful and easy

Machine-translated

lous camins
lous camins

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant route. A little disappointed not to see the town houses from the other bank (the first part does not run along the water's edge).

Machine-translated

saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little route along the water's edge that ends with a short tour of Uzerche. No difficulty whatsoever. Thank you for this pleasant route

Machine-translated

ORO2b
ORO2b

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, easy route along the wide, green path of the former POC railway line, with information panels dedicated to the life of Simone de Beauvoir along the way.
Beautiful views of the Vézère once you cross to the other side.
The route ends magnificently in the historic town centre.

Machine-translated

Mapipol
Mapipol

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We didn't understand where to continue the route after the small bridge to the right of the descent indicating routes 1 and 2.
We followed the road uphill and ended up going too far. We found the path again at the flour mill.
Enjoyed after the flour mill

Machine-translated

jmjo1
jmjo1

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the way back is less interesting and poorly maintained

Machine-translated

Catherine2604
Catherine2604

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike!

Machine-translated

Nova’s team
Nova’s team

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, despite a bit of tarmac under the scorching sun at the start. Really nice along the Vézère. No difficulty.
Be careful, as the sections along the riverbank were very muddy, and we almost lost one or two trainers there 😅

Machine-translated

Pauquet
Pauquet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

excellent hike combining the two routes via Espartignac. Only one fallen tree on the way back, which added a little spice

Machine-translated

isabellebl
isabellebl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route along the Vézère river and through the heart of Uzerche, a charming town full of character. Information panels along the route tell the story of Simone De Beauvoir.

Machine-translated

MARNOY
MARNOY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful place, combining nature and heritage!

Machine-translated

Ourcoloque
Ourcoloque

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk accompanied by birdsong.
I extended it with the "From the surroundings of Puy Chammard to Ruisseau du Troh" route, also on Visorando.
Be sure to wear waterproof footwear if it has rained recently.

Machine-translated

Mary!
Mary!

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and pleasant route, under bright sunshine and moderate temperatures.
A few small climbs in the old town, but a flat walk along the Vézère.
Leaving Uzerche, I came across a sign for "Cité lumière Panorama" (City of Light Panorama) on Boulevard St Eulalie. Take the stone steps, but be warned, it's a steep climb! Once at the top, however, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the old town.

Machine-translated

Jean-Pierre TUGORES
Jean-Pierre TUGORES
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easy and pleasant route in beautiful sunshine.
The first third of the route, from the old Uzerche railway station to La Carderie, can be done by following a fishermen's path that runs close to the river (beware of wet patches). Here you can admire the kayakers' route to the flour mill, which you will find on the other side of the river on your return.
The final part of the walk, which takes you through the old town, is an added bonus to this short hike.
For your information, there is a "superb" viewpoint over the centre of Uzerche 500 metres from the old station: take Rue du Pont Turgot on the right and, 250 metres after the roundabout, take a narrow paved footpath between the houses that climbs steeply. Walk about 50 metres and admire the view!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.