Argentat, former commune in Corrèze, France
Argentat is a small town along the Dordogne River in the Corrèze region, spread on both sides of the water and surrounded by woodlands and hills. The streetscape features traditional stone houses with flat lauze roofs, narrow lanes, and paved riverside quays that reflect its past as an active trading port.
Argentat was an important trading port from the Middle Ages through the 19th century, where ships transported wood, leather, and oil and brought wealth to the region. The decline of river shipping on the Dordogne changed the town, but medieval structures including Saint-Pierre church and the 17th-century Convent of the Récollets survived intact.
The town takes its name from its past as a river trading post on the Dordogne, which still shapes how the place looks and feels today. Traditional stone houses with flat lauze roofs and the paved riverside quays show how residents have kept their connection to this waterborne heritage in their daily lives.
The town is small and suited for unhurried walks, with good road access by car through rolling countryside. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and allow time to explore the river banks and narrow lanes, especially in warm weather when nearby outdoor activities like canoeing and water sports become available.
The Biodiversity Reserve sits on a 40-hectare former quarry that now supports local plants and animals, with a free app to explore the variety of life there. Visitors can discover unusual habitats that emerged from past industrial use and now serve as an important nature conservation site.
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