Canal des moines

The Canal des Moines is a water channel from the 12th century that runs along a rock face. The system works through stone-carved channels that direct water downward to serve different purposes.

Cistercian monks created this water system in the 12th century to supply their monastery and power nearby mills. The site received official protection as a classified historical monument in 1966.

The canal owes its name to the monks who built it and shows how religious communities shaped their surroundings through engineering. Visitors can still observe the marks of this craftsmanship woven into the landscape today.

The walking path along the canal starts near the wash-house on Route de Tulle and is easy to locate. A round trip takes about one and a half hours and follows an established trail with good accessibility.

Parts of this canal are carved directly into the rock face at dizzying heights, running far above ground level. This daring construction shows how skillfully medieval craftsmen dealt with difficult terrain.