The Coly stream

Source of the Coly at the watermill of La Doux.

Currently the source of the Coly is found at the watermill of La Doux close to La Cassagne. Previously it was located close to Saint Amand de Coly, but as legend has it a local farmer, whilst he was ploughing a field, could just save his life (and that of his oxen) when the new source opened up and started to spray out water. The 10-meter deep well has since attracted much attention, between 1965 when the first serious exploration took place and the 1980s when researchers managed to explore the underground river for 3 kilometers. In 1991 they passed the 4-kilometer mark (which was a world record at the time) and in 2003 they managed 5,880 meters.

'Water is life'.

From its source at the La Douce watermill the Coly drops 40 meters over its 10 kilometers length before it falls into the Vézère river at Condat-sur-Vézère. The natural series of cascades has long providing power to a series of mills. The 1889 annals recommend it for its fish; raving about the trout, salmon and chub (Le chevesne, locally know as le cabot – Squalius cephalus) a kind of carp.

'Water is life'.

Today fishing is regulated and allowed in season and by permit only. Most common fish species are the minnow (Le vairon), bullhead (Le chabot), gudgeon (Le goujon), brown trout (La truite fario), northern pike (Le brochet). Rare are crayfish and brook lamprey (Le lamproie) a weird primitive 'jawless fish’.

'Water is life'.

On the waters edge you find water loving tree species like the Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Willows (Salix sp.), European oak (Quercus robur), Black poplar (Populus nigra nigra), Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra italica), other varieties of Poplar introduced for the production of wood (Populus x euramericana) as well as field Elm (Ulmus minor). With an undergrowth of Elder (Sambucus nigra), Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna), Spindle (Euonymus europaeus), Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus) and common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). These linear forest form important ecological conduits in the landscape.

'Water is life'.

'Water is life', and hiking or cycling down the Coly you will be able to enjoy grasslands with Aquitaine and Limousine cattle, observe the dragonflies, damselflies and mayflies (only in may), kingfishers among many kinds of birds, aquatic plants, irises, narcissus and orchids…etc., on the banks. Find out more about the landscape, history, vegetation, the villages and life on the causse:

The index of this blog.

Coly valley hikes

Poppies in a field.

Just to the South of Terrasson, the Coly stream cuts through steep hills with a remarkable geology: Jurassic formations to the north and Cretaceous to the south. Small streams drains the 170 km<² watershed covered with undulated forestland, scattered with rich agricultural valleys, grasslands (pelouse), walnut groves, villages and small hamlets.

Map of the Coly watershed with hiking trails.

Villages include Saint Amand de Coly; classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages. And the hamlet of Chapelle Mouret; protected Architectural, Urban and Landscape Heritage Protection Zone (ZPPAUP - Zone de Protection du Patrimoine Architectural, Urbain et Paysager).

Rich fauna of the varied landscape.

The Causse de Terrasson is a large natural area of ecological interest (ZNIEFF: Zone Naturelle d'Intérêt Ecologique, Faunistique et Floristique) encompassing representative environments of the Périgordian causses: to the north the hills are covered with a mosaic of pubescent oak forests, juniper heaths and lean grasslands. To the south forest of chestnuts and hornbeam.

Extensive grazing keeps the landscape open.

The Coly stream falls into the Vézère at Condat-sur-Vézère, once the principal seat of the Hospitallers with dependencies in La Cassagne and Ladornac. Upstream, the Chironde tributary supports a series of watermills, on its upper reaches the village of Saint Geniès with its remarkable concentration of vernacular architecture and its typical lauze (dry stacked natural stone) roofs.

Vernacular heritage dots the landscape.

A large number of hikes and walks allow for the active exploration of this varied landscape. Every season has something different to offer, from the wild orchids of spring to the colors of autumn, many activities in summer; including the transhumance and cultural events in Saint Amand de Coly. And the black Périgord truffle harvest and markets of winter.

Varied vegetation and small cultural heritage along the hiking trials.

Find out more about the landscape, history, vegetation, the villages and life on the causse:

The index of this blog.