The River Vienne(Haute-Vienne)


THE VIENNE, a river of central France, a left-hand tributary of the Loire, watering the departments of Correze, HauteVienne, Charente, Vienne and Indre-et-Loire. Length, 219 miles. Rising on the plateau of Millevaches 14 m. N.W. of Ussel (department of Correze) at a height of 2789 ft., the Vienne flows westward, between the highlands of Limousin on the south and the plateau of Gentioux and the Blond mountains on the north. The first large town on its banks is Limoges (Haute-Vienne), below its confluence with the Taurion: in this part of its course the river supplies motive power to paper-mills and other factories. The river next reaches St Junien below which it turns abruptly northwards to Confolens (Charente). Flowing through a picturesque and now wider valley, and passing in its course the churches and chateaux of Chauvigny, the river proceeds to the confluence of the Clam just above Chfttellerault. Below that town it receives ,the Creuse (rising on the plateau of Millevaches and reaching the Vienne after a course of 159 m.), and turns northwest, uniting with the Loire below the historic town of Chinon.

The Vienne has stocks of Pike, Carp, Perch, Zander, Shad and a few catfish.

We have discovered some very pleasant parts of the River Vienne, all within 30 mins drive of our gite.

 

25 mins away is the historic town of St Junien. There is a dedicated stretch of the Vienne for all anglers. Plenty of room for backcasts, picnic tables and easy access to swims. We have risen fish here on Mayfly earlier in the year.


Following the Vienne a little further upstream, driving through some very picturesque countryside on quiet lanes, you will find the town
of Aixe Sur Vienne.

There is an area a kilometre or so out of the town with easy access to the river by car, trees for shade and rocky outcrops giving some rather nice little back eddies. At other parts the river runs slow and deep. Again tables are provided for resting or eating.
See photos below.




One of our guests, Tim, fishing this stretch of the River Vienne.

At the bridge where the RN21 crosses the river, it is possible to fish both banks, and a small tributary. Although there is traffic across the bridge all day, a few hundred metres downstream it is not so noticable. See photos below.