The city and its past The city of Ussel has a rich heritage that has been the subject of much research. The city has always rebuilt itself. The old centres reveal this process in particular by revealing «traces» of the past, despite the adaptation of the building, the evolution of buildings over time. Several buildings are protected under the title of Historical Monuments.
Sustainable heritage The aim of the municipality today is to enhance this heritage very present in the old centre. The challenge is then to bring it to life. In September 2022, the theme of the European Heritage Days is «Sustainable Heritage». It raises the question of mixed uses, and alternatives ensuring sustainable interventions in our cities. The use of local resources, natural, bio-sourced or geo-sourced materials then arises.
Visits For the occasion, the Conseil d'Architecture d'Urbanisme et d'Environnement de la Corrèze (CAUE19) and Maison Paysanne de France (MPF) are organizing two guided tours of the historic centre of Ussel. These two associations, of public utilities, have as their main objective to advise and accompany development and construction projects respectful of the surrounding landscapes.
As part of the JEP, visitors are invited to look at the historic facades of the commercial ground floor in the city centre of Ussel. Indeed, the main and secondary streets of the centre reveal the historical traces of a lasting heritage. The storefronts, from different eras, participate in the composition of the building facades. Some are old stalls, made of stone arcades or rectangular openings. Some of them have been redesigned. These storefronts, applied or foliated, resonate with urban organization. Real windows for the city, they reveal its commercial importance and tell the past and present practices of its inhabitants.
The purpose of the visit is to provide a historical reading of the city, and an understanding of the organization of shopping streets. This is about distinguish between façade typologies, their architectural and constructive evolutions.
The aim is finally to sensitise visitors renovation techniques and ancient and ecological materials such as tuff and mineral earth, highlighting past practices that deserve to be explored.
This event will be an opportunity to consider sustainable renovation solutions, combining this visit with a contemporary approach to the sustainable city. Because many traditional skills, still present in Ussel, but forgotten by some, deserve to be explored.
The courseThe planned route will explore the shopping streets of downtown Ussel, such as Rue de la Liberté, Rue du Cardinal Mercier, Rue du 4 septembre or Rue Esparvier.
The departure of the visit is planned in front of the lithography workshop, 18 rue Michelet (near the Museum of Ussel) and the arrival at the butcher/deli Moncourrier. This event will be an opportunity to visit this newly renovated business.