Les Pans de Travassac
Just a few kilometers from our hotel in Brive-la-Gaillarde, the Pans de Travassac offer a spectacular visit to a site unique in Europe.
Between vertiginous cliffs, ancestral know-how, and impressive landscapes, this former slate quarry invites you to discover the history of an iconic stone of the Corrèze region.
Present on the roofs of Corrèze and Auvergne, as well as on famous monuments like Mont-Saint-Michel, Travassac slate has been part of the regional heritage for centuries.
Located in Donzenac, the Pans de Travassac immediately impress with their immense slate cliffs, some reaching 30 meters in height.
In this striking setting where minerals and vegetation blend harmoniously, you can stroll along safe paths close to the old quarrying veins.
The site's atmosphere, both raw and serene, makes the visit particularly immersive.
Slate quarrying in Travassac dates back to the 17th century.
For a long time, generations of slate workers toiled in demanding conditions, contributing to the site's renown far beyond the Corrèze region.
At the beginning of the 20th century, up to 250 workers were employed on the site, making the Travassac quarries a major center of regional slate production.
Even today, this heritage continues to thrive thanks to demonstrations held on-site.
The visit allows visitors to observe slate work through traditional techniques passed down through generations: rebarking, splitting, and stone cutting.
Under the expert hands of the slate workers, the raw rock is gradually transformed into slate ready to adorn roofs.
A slate worker can process up to a ton of stone per day, shaping it into various forms according to traditional regional practices.
Located in a former gallery, the Pans de Travassac Museum retraces the history and daily life of slate workers through tools, period documents, and explanatory films.
This part of the visit provides a better understanding of the working conditions, the techniques used, and the importance of this activity in local history.
The on-site shop also offers various slate items, so you can take home a local souvenir!
The Pans de Travassac are open from April to early November and offer guided tours.
Our Hotel Le Quercy**** welcomes you to Brive-la-Gaillarde: book one of our 48 cozy and fully equipped rooms and suites!
Between vertiginous cliffs, ancestral know-how, and impressive landscapes, this former slate quarry invites you to discover the history of an iconic stone of the Corrèze region.
Present on the roofs of Corrèze and Auvergne, as well as on famous monuments like Mont-Saint-Michel, Travassac slate has been part of the regional heritage for centuries.
A spectacular natural site in the heart of Corrèze
Located in Donzenac, the Pans de Travassac immediately impress with their immense slate cliffs, some reaching 30 meters in height.
In this striking setting where minerals and vegetation blend harmoniously, you can stroll along safe paths close to the old quarrying veins.
The site's atmosphere, both raw and serene, makes the visit particularly immersive.
A centuries-old slate quarrying history
Slate quarrying in Travassac dates back to the 17th century.
For a long time, generations of slate workers toiled in demanding conditions, contributing to the site's renown far beyond the Corrèze region.
At the beginning of the 20th century, up to 250 workers were employed on the site, making the Travassac quarries a major center of regional slate production.
Even today, this heritage continues to thrive thanks to demonstrations held on-site.
Discover the ancestral techniques of the slate workers
The visit allows visitors to observe slate work through traditional techniques passed down through generations: rebarking, splitting, and stone cutting.
Under the expert hands of the slate workers, the raw rock is gradually transformed into slate ready to adorn roofs.
A slate worker can process up to a ton of stone per day, shaping it into various forms according to traditional regional practices.
A museum to better understand the lives of slate workers
Located in a former gallery, the Pans de Travassac Museum retraces the history and daily life of slate workers through tools, period documents, and explanatory films.
This part of the visit provides a better understanding of the working conditions, the techniques used, and the importance of this activity in local history.
The on-site shop also offers various slate items, so you can take home a local souvenir!
Practical information
The Pans de Travassac are open from April to early November and offer guided tours.
Our Hotel Le Quercy**** welcomes you to Brive-la-Gaillarde: book one of our 48 cozy and fully equipped rooms and suites!
