Bort-les-Orgues Attractions

The little town of Bort-les-Orgues (pop. 3,534), prettily situated in the Dordogne valley, has a church of the 12th-15th centuries. Near the east end of the church are remains of the old town walls. 3km/2mi to the southwest are the "organ-pipes" from which it takes its name - massive columns of phonolite 80-100m/260-330ft high extending for some 2km/1.5mi. The Barrage de Bort pounds water from the Dordogne and its tributaries, forming a reservoir with a capacity of 477million cu. m (105 billion gallons). On the bank of the lake (water-sports) stands the 15th century Château de Val.

Bort is also a good setting-out point for the Dordogne Gorges as far as the Barrage de l'Aigle, a reservoir some 85km/53mi southwest.