The famous Green Meridian runs through Ussel, a town in the last foothills of the Millevaches plateau in north-east Corrèze. Nestling on the borders of Auvergne and the Limousin, between the Diège and Sarsonne valleys, the welcoming small town invites you to discover its rich past through its historic monuments.
To discover Ussel's architectural heritage, head to the old centre, which has a series of old houses with turrets and elegant houses like the ducal house of the Ventadours built in the 16th century, a very beautiful Renaissance edifice built with stones from the ruined old castle… Also, don't miss the charming Pelauds fountain on Place Joffre, the Roman eagle on Place Voltaire, and a granite funerary sculpture dating from the 2nd-3rd century!
The Church of St. Martin is listed on the Inventory of Historic Monuments and was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Its choir and chevet are typical of the Romanesque style and it houses some beautiful stalls from the 18th century as well as a polychrome wood Pietà dating from the 16th century.
A museum devoted to the history, arts and traditions of the Ussel area invites you to discover its collections, spread across several sites: the Bonnot de Bay mansion from the 18th century, with exhibits including tools from yesteryear, liturgical books and tapestries from Marche; the Moncourier-Beauregard house, which contains a reconstruction of a traditional Ussel home interior; the Imprimerie, an old house with a turret devoted to the world of lithographic and typographic printing; and the 15th-century Chapel of the Penitents, which contains some remarkable pieces of religious art, including a magnificent Baroque altarpiece that is a listed Historic Monument.
Ussel, capital of Haute-Corrèze and sub-prefecture of Corrèze.
Situated near Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Brive-la-Gaillarde and Aurillac, Ussel occupies a strategic position on the road from Lyon to Bordeaux. Less than 5 hours from Paris, the city is connected to the transport networks by the A89 motorway, with two exits serving the city, the train station, or the airports of Brive-la-Gaillarde, Limoges and Clermont-Ferrand.
With its industrial heritage, Ussel has become the cradle of the economic development of Haute-Corrèze. It has shops, administrative services, a childhood center, a cinema, a media library or a cultural center that contribute to its attractiveness. The city also has a nearby hospital center with emergency services and a modern medical imaging service.
Its rich historical heritage (old center, Roman eagle, ducal house of Ventadours or museum of Ussel dedicated to popular arts and traditions) and its proximity to the forests, trails and tourist complex of Ponty, She is a pleasant and charming town.
In recent years, the city has received several awards:
Flowered City - 3 flowers.
The most sporting city of the central massif (awarded in 2010) for the diversity of sports, sports results, youth projects and the many sporting events hosted or proposed.
Playful and sporting city (awarded in 2013) for diversity and accessibility to sports practices on Ussel.
Ussel quai-sports: this label rewards sports associations that are committed to children and commit themselves to respecting the "Charter of Rights and Duties of the Sports Child".
Marianne d'Or of local democracy for the development and the cultural enlargement on the territory of Ussellois.
Agenda 21 local France: in December 2013 Agenda 21 of the city was recognized "Agenda 21 local France" by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Energy.
The city has an important associations. These associations offer throughout the year events and entertainment.
Every Saturday morning in the city center Sunday morning instead Célestin Lafon, non-sedentary merchants invite you to purchase products from local agriculture, apparel products or gardens.
The first and third Wednesdays of each month, fairs take place in a part of the city center and the place Alsace Lorraine.
When summer arrives, farmers markets of countries allow residents and vacationers to buy fresh produce. Real friendly place, they can spend a pleasant evening with a meal and a movie. They take place every Tuesday in July and August on the place Marcel Pagnol.
Exposition Jacques Callot, Maître de la Gravure au XVIIè Siècle
- From 26 march to 1 june 2024
- 18 Rue Michelet
- The Musée du Pays d'Ussel invites you to come and discover the exhibition "Jacques Callot, master of engraving in the 17th century". The exhibition will take you back to the 17th century, the time of Richelieu, the Medici and Baroque Europe. - Guided tours of the exhibition : March 27, April 3 and 20, May 4 and 22.
Exposition Andrée Pénot
- From 13 may to 1 june 2024
- 6 Rue de l'église
- The "Aigua de rocha" art gallery invites you to discover the works of Andrée Pénot. - Opening on May 18 from 10am.
Visite Guidée du Musée du Pays d'Ussel
- On 25 may 2024
- 12 Rue Michelet
- The Musée du Pays d'Ussel invites you on a guided tour to discover the various collections devoted to the history, arts and traditions of the Pays d'Ussel, between the Millevaches plateau, the Triouzoune valley and the upper Dordogne valley
Marché de Printemps & Vide-Greniers Vide Dressing
- On 26 may 2024
- Boulevard Léon Blum, Square Henri Dunant
- The Comité des Fêtes de la Gare organizes a spring market with a garage sale and dressing room sale. In partnership with the town of Ussel
Spectacle "Danse en Nature"
- On 1 june 2024
- Avenue de la Résistance
- Performance by the ecole theadamuse dance workshops. - Two possible sessions : 4 pm and 6 pm. - Parc du Château de la Diège. - Admission 5 ?, free for minors. - Online ticketing : https://www.helloasso.com/associations/ecole-theadamuse/evenements/danse-en-nature
Visite Contée " A la Découverte de Molière et d'Arlequin"
- On 1 june 2024
- 18 Rue Michelet
- The Musée du Pays d'Ussel offers children a storytelling tour entitled "Discovering Molière and Harlequin". - Children aged 3 to 11
Exposition Eric Begouin
- From 3 to 22 june 2024
- 6 Rue de l'église
- The "Aigua de rocha" art gallery invites you to discover the works of Eric Begouin.
Exposition Liberté Éternelle 80 ans Après
- From 5 to 8 june 2024
- 3 Rue du Stade, Salle Polyvalente
- The Historisoins association is organizing an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, to honor the memory of all those soldiers who came so that France could remain France. - Admission free and open to all
Escape Game Familial « Le Mystère des Arts et Traditions Perdues »
- On 5 june 2024
- 12 Rue Michelet
- The Musée du Pays d'Ussel invites you to a family escape-game "The mystery of lost arts and - traditions" - Reservations required, children aged 6 and over
Atelier Ludique à la Médiathèque
- On 6 june 2024
- 11 Rue du 4 Septembre, Médiathèque Intercommunale
- Thanks to a virtual reality (VR) headset, immerse yourself in a digital, 3-dimensional, 360° world ! - Virtual reality lets you immerse yourself in a virtual world very close to reality, and interact with this environment. - Romuald Porte, Haute-Corrèze Communauté ? S digital advisor, will be on hand to guide you on this fun 3D journey. - Free admission ? Children/teens (aged 11 and over)