Uzerche

A general view of Uzerche

Coat of arms

Uzerche

Location within Nouvelle-Aquitaine region

Uzerche

Coordinates: 45°25′32″N 1°33′51″E / 45.4256°N 1.5642°ECoordinates: 45°25′32″N 1°33′51″E / 45.4256°N 1.5642°E

Country

Uzerche

Pays d'Uzerche

Government

• Mayor (2008–2014)

Sophie Dessus

Area¹

23.85 km² (9.21 sq mi)

Population (2008)²

3,187

• Density

130/km² (350/sq mi)

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

INSEE/Postal code

19276 /19140

Elevation

270–441 m (886–1,447 ft)
(avg. 333 m or 1,093 ft)

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

²Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Uzerche (Usercha in Occitan) is a commune in the Corrèze department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of central France.

In 1787, the English writer Arthur Young, described the town as " the pearl of the Limousin", because of its picturesque setting. It is still widely known by this name.Built on top of a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the meandering Vézère which it dominates, Uzerche possesses a rich cultural heritage. It is known both as a centre of influence and as an important focal point for the intersection of two major routes. Also under Pepin the Short the city was the seat of an influential abbey and a Seneschal. As a result of this legacy Uzerche still has many castles, hotels and other buildings displaying turrets built by the Uzechoise nobility; thus adding weight to the saying, " He who owns a house in Uzerche has a castle in the Limousin." In 1996 Uzerche was awarded, "village etape" status and, since 2010, has been listed among the towns of France to be worthy of a" plus beaux detour".

The name, Uzerche, has a long history. It has been dated as far back as Roman times [BC].It was conquered by the Romans in 51BC and was the last place where the Gauls fought against Julius Caesar. The first clear proof of the name was in the seventh century A.D when the town was known as Usarca. In 848 the name became Usercensium and in 1190 Uzercha. Between the 15th and 18 th centuries the name evolved from Usarche to Userche and eventually Uzerche, by which it is known today.

Uzerche is in central west France, nestling to the west of the Massif Central Mountains. The town can be reached by the A20 Motorway being about 35 K. from Brive-la-Gaillarde, the principal town in the Correze. It is also within easy reach of Tulle, the county town of the department. Both the rivers Bradascou and Vézère, with their sources in The Plateau de Millevaches, pass through Uzerche and feed into the Dordogne. The Plateau de Millevaches (a thousand springs), not far from Uzerche, is a natural wetland with its many streams and lakes, forest and heathland. It is 500– 900 meters above sea level with its highest point Mont Bessou (976 meters above sea level). Uzerche is a hill town, built above a deeply incised meander of the Vézère River; as such it is a natural citadel. The construction of the gardens along the Vézère, supported by little walls, are as noteworthy as the town’s unique position and particular architectural features. As the rocky ground originally made it unsuitable for agriculture, the view of the lower part of the town is dominated by flowers, orchards and vegetable gardens.

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Wikipedia