THE CASTLE OF THE PREFECTURE

Built between 1864 and 1880, this brick and freestone castle was inspired by Louis XIII architecture, unusual in Limousin, with high slate roofs. The Hôtel de la Préfecture is composed of three bodies representing the three districts of the Corrèze department: Tulle in the centre, Brive and Ussel on each side. Each building bears the coat of arms of its capital on its pediment. Were received for lunch and guests to sleep at the castle, in 1895 Felix Faure, in 1913 and 1923 Raymond Poincaré, in 1942 Marshal Pétain, in 1962 Charles de Gaulle and in 1982 François Mitterrand. Jacques Chirac was welcomed many times, but also Édith Piaf, Simone Veil, Gaston Deferre, Jacques Delors and on November 26, 1967, Guerman Titov, the Soviet cosmonaut. The park, at the back of the building, has about fifty different species including Virginia tulip trees, ginkgos bilboa or liquidambars.