Ussel, Corrèze

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Ussel
Location of Ussel
Map
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCorrèze
ArrondissementUssel
CantonUssel-Est
IntercommunalityUssel–Meymac–Haute-Corrèze
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Martine Leclerc
Area
1
50.37 km2 (19.45 sq mi)
Population
 (1999)
10,753
 • Density210/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
19275 /19200
Elevation588–781 m (1,929–2,562 ft)
(avg. 630 m or 2,070 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Ussel is a commune of the Corrèze department in central France. Its inhabitants are named Ussellois et Usselloises. The town is best known for its charming old streetscapes and for its pastoral and natural landscapes offering a perfect setting for green alternative vacations.

Geography

Location

The community of Ussel is located in the Massif central on the foothills of the plateau de Millevaches. The city itself sits on a hilltop in between the valley of the river Diège and the valley of the river Sarsonne.

Hydrography

Three main watercourses are flowing through the community, the river Diège (The town sometimes is called Ussel-sur-Diège), the river Sarsonne and the stream of Etang roux.

Transportation

The highway A89 provides an easy access to the towns. Two main exits feeds the city. Exit 23 | Ussel-Ouest South-West of town and Exit 24 | Ussel-Centre North East of town. The construction of the highway has highly improved the security but also the comfort inside the town. In fact it is now possible for trucks or fast vehicles to bypasses the town. This highway is a component of the European road 70.

Ussel is also crossed by the RN 89. This road which was retrofitted to a regional road links Bordeaux to Lyon via Clermont-Ferrand.

The train station of Ussel lies on a main railtrack linking Lyon to Bordeaux. It is still very active and the train remains a good way to access the town and discover the region. Travelling by train is a fantastic way to discover the beautiful and untouched landscape sceneries that the region offers.

The closest airports are Limoges[1], Clermont-Ferrand[2].

The Thalamy airfield is a leisure and tourist oriented place. Its located a few kilometers away from town.

History

Heritage and Culture

MOUS - Museum of Ussel

The museum of Ussel Musée d'Ussel is dedicated to history, arts and tradition of the region of Ussel. It features some really interesting objects and pictural representations.

Transcorrezian train

Ussel was the terminus of the transcorrezian train line linking Tulle to Ussel via Marcillac-La-Croisille, Lapleau, le Viaduc des Rochers Noirs, Soursac, Liginiac. This line was part ft the tramways of Corrèze. Even if the train has disappeared many architectural and track elements still remain and are opened to the public. A Road has recently been created. It allows to follow step by step the old railway and to bring back to live this incredible human adventure that allowed to domesticate the chaotic landscape for transportation purposes.

References