Brive Mini Guide
About Brive
Or Brive la Gaillarde, was a settled area as far back as the 1st century but its original fortifications have now been replace by boulevards. Originally named Brive, it was renamed in 1919 as Brive la Gaillarde, probably to indicate its strength as a city. Famous for being the seat of the resistance in occupied France it remains proud of its history as being the first city to liberate itself independently and to receive the esteemed ‘Croix de guerre’ military distinction. If you're planning an itinerary in Brive and beyond, our
France mini guide might add some inspiration for your trip.
Getting There
The Brive la Gaillarde train station provides connections to many locations including
Bordeaux and
Toulouse. When driving, motorists should follow the A20 from Toulouse and
Limoges and take the A89 when approaching from Bordeaux.
So, What Should I see?
The town’s most notable landmark is the ‘Pont Cardinal’ a bridge that used to be the main crossing point for travellers between
Paris and Toulouse. The Labenche museum located there is also well worth a visit as is the St. Martin church, surrounded by turreted houses it makes an excellent picture. Rugby fans should try to check out a rugby union game featuring CA Brive, the local team will set your pulses racing.
For explorers the local tourist office of Brive offers excellent guided tours of the town and its surrounding regions. For those who enjoy a tipple, a visit to the Denoix Distillery at the heart of the town is a must. Founded in 1839 by a local family, there, you can sample all the local liqueurs and aperitifs made on-site. Contact the Brive tourism office for further details.
Where can I eat?
The traditional medieval centre of the town contains the majority of shops, cafes and restaurants famous for their mastery of goose fat, geese, ducks and foie gras, just make sure you’re hungry before you head out.
The commune of Brive, or Brive-la-Gaillarde, is a sub prefecture of the Corrèze department. Car hire in Brive allows you to see this beautiful city which is renowned for its Medieval architecture. Although the old buildings remain, many of them are now filled with shops and cafes. Brive also has a strong rugby tradition with many famous French players coming from Brive.
With a car you can get from Brive to Bordeaux along the A89 and Toulouse is also accessible along the A20. If you prefer not to drive, Brive has a railway station serving many destinations.