discover the corot site
The Corot site is only five minutes by car from Saint-Junien town centre – so why not take a break, enjoy a picnic, go jogging, go for a walk with the family ….. The Corot site is enjoyed by walkers, fishermen, géocaching fans …… It is the start of several waymarked footpaths to suit all levels and there are picnic tables for your use.
A protected natural site ...
Listed as a Natural Zone of ecological interest, fauna and flora (ZNIEFF), the Corot site is part of the Glane valley. Along the river banks in the summer you can spot the ‚Royal Fern’, a protected plant.
site Corot - natural site in Saint-Junien
La Glane au Site Corot
Where the river runs through…
The source of the river Glane is in the Ambazac hills and the erosion of the river throughout the years has created a deep valley. The Glane feeds into the river Vienne just a few metres further on from the Corot site, on the outskirts of the town heading towards Angouleme. If you are patient you might even see a white-throated dipper, as these birds enjoy the fast-flowing waters and rapids of the river Glane.
Where the master of landscape painting fell under its spell - JB Corot
Numerous artists have been attracted to this part of the Glane valley where the river weaves through the rocks and boulders in an exceptional setting. The most famous of them is Jean Baptiste Camille COROT (1796 -1875) who, according to his note books, found inspiration along the banks of the river Glane where ‘nature is an eternal beauty‘. In fact, he came here regularly during the summer from 1852 to 1861, where he also had a small studio. This was recreated in 2009.
In 1904, a portait in bronze of JB Corot was attached to a block of granite, and this can still be seen on the river bank.
Our tips
For a festival, an exhibition, a concert, or a drink on the river’s edge, summer is the time to visit. And when it is really hot, the Corot site is the ideal place for a walk beside the cooling waters of the Glane, under the shade of the trees.
However, all seasons have their own attractions ………
A short trail with riddles and clues has been created for children. If they solve all the clues and get the right answer, they will win a small prize – to be collected from the Tourist Information Centre.
Practical information
The site is accessible for pushchairs. A car park has been created for easy access to the site. The Corot chalet is open in July and August on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.