Turenne, commune in Corrèze, France
Turenne is a small commune in Corrèze in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and sits on a hill visible from far away. The village is crowned by the ruins of a medieval castle with two prominent towers known as César and Trésor, and features narrow streets lined with stone houses whose roofs are made of local slate or lauze stone.
The history of Turenne begins before the year 1000 with a castle on the hill that was expanded over centuries by various noble families. The Viscounts of Turenne gained great power and independence during the Middle Ages, able to raise armies, mint their own money, and avoid paying taxes to the French king for a long time.
The name Turenne comes from a powerful viscountcy that once ruled over the regions of Limousin, Périgord, and Quercy. In the narrow streets and old houses with their slate or lauze-stone roofs, you can still see traces of this feudal past and what the place meant to the region.
The village is easily reached by car with parking areas nearby, or you can use buses from Brive-La-Gaillarde or take the train and walk from the station about three kilometers away. The best way to explore is on foot through the narrow streets at a leisurely pace, taking time to observe the old buildings and castle walls.
The Viscounts of Turenne long avoided paying taxes to the French king and functioned almost as an independent state, earning the place a reputation as a tax haven. This rare status of independence made Turenne a unique location in France until the king eventually bought the territory.
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