Pompadour, a village where the horse is king
Combine heritage, nature, history, art, horse-riding and gourmet delights and the result is Pompadour (or rather Arnac-Pompadour, as it is known in full), one of the tourist destinations close to Brive.
There's something for everyone here. Gourmets will love the AOP Golden apples and Limousin meats. Heritage lovers will love the Château de Pompadour and the chapel of Saint-Blaise, with its monumental painting by André Brasilier. Athletes, for their part, can practice hiking on different trails and attend regional to international equestrian competitions offered by the National Stud Farms of Pompadour.
5 good reasons to visit Pompadour
- See the Marquise de Pompadour's château, its stables, its Orangery and its breathtaking view of the racecourse.
- Enjoy the National Stud and its many equestrian events organised throughout the year.
- Melt in front of the Domaine de Chignac mare farm with its Anglo-Arab foals.
- Treat your taste buds to the Limousina Apple Road and the Protected Designation of Origins of the same name.
- Try to hit the jackpot with horse racing during the summer months.
No Arnac at Pompadour!
Besieging the Pompadour Castle?
If you're tempted to don your armour and mount your trusty steeds to take over the fortress of Pompadour, you're in the wrong era! Although this medieval-looking castle dates back to the 15th century, inside you'll discover an 18th-century residence with collections of engravings and lithographs, as well as works of Limousin heritage such as Aubusson tapestries and Limoges porcelain.
A space is also dedicated to the world of horses since the castle is part of the National Stud Farmrs of Pompadour. The equestrian immersion continues with a visit to the Marquise Stables and the Orangery where the finest French equines are housed. Such a perfect visit!
The Marquise of Pompadour
It's impossible to talk about Pompadour without mentioning the Marquise of the same name. In 1745, Louis XV bought the Pompadour estate and granted the title of Marquise to one of his mistresses, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson. She became the famous Marquise de Pompadour. However, the royal favourite considered the estate to be too far removed from the Court and never set foot on Correze soil, eventually selling it in 1761. The following year, Louis XV bought it back and transformed it into a royal stud farm.
Hip, hippique hurra!
If you're a fan of nags, equipped from head to toe to ride horses or watch them go by, don't get your hopes up. We've devoted a whole page to the Cité du Cheval, and it's over here...
Apples... or potatoes?
Pompadour is the land of apples, but not of potatoes! Golden apples, in fact. This crunchy, juicy fruit even benefits from the AOP Pomme du Limousin label, which you can discover by following the walks along the Apple Road during the summer months.
Practical information
Where is Pompadour?
The village of Pompadour lies on the borders of the Dordogne and Haute-Vienne departments, between Brive and Limoges. It takes between 45 and 50 minutes to drive from Brive.
How do I get to Pompadour without a car?
You can get to Pompadour by train from Brive-La-Gaillarde. See our regularly updated "Visiting without a car" section and download the document.
Discover leatherwork at the Atelier Brin de Peau
Passion, creation and innovation at the Pompadour leatherworks: 100% workshop! When you walk into Sophie Guilloux's boutique-atelier, you realise that leather is anything but old-fashioned. This master craftswoman offers up-to-the-minute creations tailored to today's needs and desires. Sophie also welcomes the creations of other established craftsmen, particularly those based on this beautiful material... In short, a visit is a must! Find out more here.
Tourist welcome by the Terres de Corrèze team
The Terres de Corrèze tourist office offers an audio-guided tour of the village of Pompadour and guided walks in partnership with the Syndicat AOP Limousina Apple (July-August only).
For more information: Terres de Corrèze, Pompadour office - Le château - 19230 Arnac-Pompadour - 05 55 98 55 47.
Bon plan Pompadour, Marchioness of horses
By giving his favourite the superb Pompadour castel, Louis XV also gave her the title of Marquise de Pompadour. This was a fine promotion for a woman named Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, who in 1760 set up not an aquarium on her new property, but a stud farm that has since become the national stud farm. After a visit to the round pepper-pot towers, you can go to the racecourse to see the horses gallop and watch a race in season. You can also stroll through the stables reserved for thoroughbreds and, with a bit of luck, witness the birth of a foal.
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