Monédières

Overview

I must say that I have never been here, but my parents went when they were older and suffered no ill effects. They thought it was a nice way to pass an afternoon. Low mountain area in Limousin. There are no higher points between the Monédières and Paris. Convenient place to stretch your legs if driving from Paris to the Pyrennes. You can see for miles from a 3000 foot summit known as the Suc-au-May. Located on the top of the Suc-au-May is a table enabling the traveler to identify many points on the horizon, including mountains in the Auvergne such as the Mont Dore and other points to the east. These mountains are formed from some aged and well eroded granite. One can pass the time in the town of Treignac which is some miles to the north north west of the Monédières. There have been international white water kayaking events in Treignac.
There have been two massive fires in the Monédières, the first lit by Julius Caesar in sort of 60 B.C. while he was smoking out the Celts. The next bad fire was in the wars of religion when a Count (Catholic )tried to burn out some Huguenots. For flushing out the Huguenots, Louis de Pompadour, head of theCatholic League , ordered in September 1575, to light the fire at the four corners of the Monédières. As a result of this second fire, some of the land is still in "heath or moor".

Getting There

Drive south from Paris on the A-10 to Orleans and continue south on the A-10 to Poitiers. Take the N147 from Poiters to Limoges and south on the A-20 till the D-16 and go eastbound to Treignac. Follow the D- 16 past Treignac till village of Lestards and thence due south on the D-32 and then the D-128 up into the Monédières. This should get you up to the Table atop the Suc-au-May. I think the D roads are district roads. i.e. some kinda county roads. The pictures may show this.

When To Climb

Any time of years but be careful of ice and snow in the winter.

Camping

Camp in Treignac. They are set up for it since they host kayaking events.

CAMPING DE LA PLAGE * * * *

Address
Route d'Eymoutier
Zip code 19260
City Treignac
Phone 05 55 98 08 54
Phone (out of season) -
Fax 05 55 98 16 47
Opening dates 01/05 - 15/09
Capacity 130
Station Uzerche
Altitude 480m

Map

Images

View Monédières Image Gallery - 7 Images