Major city · France
Brive-la-Gaillarde
One day is enough: see the old town and Labenche museum, eat a market lunch, then go. Use it as a base for the Dordogne and Corrèze valleys.
Brive-la-Gaillarde is the largest town in Corrèze, Limousin, and a practical hub for the Dordogne's castles, caves and cliff villages. The town itself has a compact medieval centre, a good art-and-history museum and a lively Saturday market. Most travellers use it for one night or as a lunch stop between the A20 motorway and the valley sights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airport
- BVE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Brive-la-Gaillarde17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Brive-la-Gaillarde, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyBrive is a quiet provincial town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 / 15 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBVE Brive Vallée de la Dordogne (Brive Souillac) (check flights from Dublin, Edinburgh, London City, Manchester; about 20 km (12 mi) south…BVE Brive Vallée de la Dordogne (Brive Souillac) (check flights from Dublin, Edinburgh, London City, Manchester; about 12 mi (20 km) south…
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant dinner (three courses, wine)€30–50 (≈ US$35–60)
- Street or quick mealMarket lunch (sandwich, drink, dessert)€10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- BeerBeer (draught / bottle)€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Musée Labenche)€6–8 (≈ US$7–10) (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a hotel or B&B, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room in a hotel or B&B, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BVE Brive Vallée de la Dordogne (Brive Souillac) (check flights from Dublin, Edinburgh, London City, Manchester; about 20 km (12 mi) south, taxi or rental car needed)BVE Brive Vallée de la Dordogne (Brive Souillac) (check flights from Dublin, Edinburgh, London City, Manchester; about 12 mi (20 km) south, taxi or rental car needed)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Brive-la-Gaillarde: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable. For the wider area (Dordogne, Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne) you need a car. Buses from the station serve some villages but are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Collonges-la-Rouge
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car, about 20 min via D38
Red-sandstone village with a covered market; 1–2 h.
Turenne
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Car, about 25 min via D8 and D23
Hilltop castle and village with views over the valley.
Rocamadour
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, about 50 min via A20 and D673
Cliff-side pilgrimage site; full morning or afternoon.
Sarlat-la-Canéda
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car, about 1 h via A20 and D704
Well-preserved medieval town; combine with a Dordogne market.
Gimel-les-Cascades
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Car, about 30 min via D1089 and D26
Three waterfalls and a short hike; check water flow.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (intra-muros)
Walk to market, restaurants and museum; limited parking.
Near the railway station
Practical for train arrivals; a 10-min walk to the old town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a hotel or B&B1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| A20 toll Brive–Cahors (one way)1 × €8 · check | €8 |
| Parking in town centre (all day)1 × €10 · check | €10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €208 per person per day, bed included | €416≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Market lunch (sandwich, drink, dessert) | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Restaurant dinner (three courses, wine) | €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) |
| Beer (draught / bottle) | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) / €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Museum entry (Musée Labenche) | €6–8 (≈ US$7–10) (check) |
| 5 km taxi | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Saturday market fills the centre until about 13:00; parking is very hard.Saturday market fills the centre until about 1:00 PM; parking is very hard.
- Many restaurants close Sunday and Monday lunch.
- The A20 motorway has tolls; the D roads are slower but free.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18 / 15
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Brive-la-GaillardeBrive-la-Gaillarde
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18 / 15
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Bordeaux; most other countries have embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Brive station → town centre: walk 10 min or taxi €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- Brive → Collonges-la-Rouge by car: about 20 min, no toll
- Brive → Rocamadour by car: about 50 min, A20 toll €4 (≈ US$5)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kohm-byen)
- Je voudrais… — I would like… (zhuh voo-dreh)
- Où est le marché ? — Where is the market? (oo eh luh mar-shay)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syohn, seel voo pleh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Brive-la-Gaillarde. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Musée Labenche, Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne and Rocamadour with opening hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for the Saturday market and three restaurants with last orders.
- Car-rental anchor at BVE airport and Brive station.
Sources
Ask about Brive-la-Gaillarde
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