PLACES TO VISIT
Moutier d'Ahen- The sparkling river Creuse runs through it's Medieval Village.
The area is well known for picnics, walking and fishing.
The small, typically French village houses the X111 century church with it's treasure rooms and wood carvings. And there is a museum, art gallery and pottery where keep-sakes can be purchased.
Chenerailles- is to the north-east and has great historic significance as it is the home of the beautiful renaissance Chateau de Villemonteix (closed in winter) and the Church of St. Barthelemy.
Aubusson and Felletin- Here can be found examples of exquisite tapestries and weaving. The tapestry museum has both a permanent and temporary exhibitions of pieces from as far back as the 15th century.
Aubusson has also been the inspiration for artists such as Jean Lurcat.
The town was built along the river Creuse and has buildings from the Middle Ages.
Guert- The history of this charming town started in 690 when the monastery was built. It became the capital of the County of Marche in 1514 and gradually grew to the main town of Creuse in 1791.
The museum of art and archaeology offers a range of collections from France and abroad, including ceramics from China, Japan and Korea.
On the outskirts of town there is a giant maze, for those who like the idea of getting lost inside a puzzle.
Bourganeuf- This is the home of the dawning of electricity.
Bourganeuf Museum of Electrification (One of the first towns to have electricity in France)
Chambon-sur-Valese -with an interesting XI church and reliquary, together with the river Valese meandering its way around.
Treasures of the Creuse - Here there areunpolluted rivers, still jumping with 'fario' trout, tench, roach, carp and pike, have long made it a favourite with anglers.
But the Creuse also has a history, with the royal tapestry town of Aubusson ( as above), with the architecture and building of the sought-after masons of the Creuse, and many fine Romanesque churches hiding priceless altar screens, enamelled reliquaries and other treasures.
Looking further afield, starting in the north-east corner of the department, bordering the Auvergne and Centre regions, or the old Berry and Bourbonnais, is Boussac, on a fortified rocky spur much fought over since the times of the original Gallo-Roman site (Bociacum). Here George Sand, whose 100th anniversary it is this year, once lived and set her first rural novel ('Jeanne'), in the XIIc and XVc castle above a waterfall, and the six mysterious tapestries, called 'The Lady and the Unicorn' series, were found. The town has some marvelously conserved buildings, with stone spiral staircases and wrought-iron balconies.
Following the Petite Creuse River from Boussac towards Fresselines and Crozant, where it meets the Grande Creuse, you are still in George Sand country ('Laura'). The landscapes between the two rivers have been well celebrated by artists, from the École de Crozant to Monet (school of Monet) and the most contemporary.
The three lakes - Further upriver on the Grande Creuse is Le Pays des Trois Lacs, broadly covering the valley from La Celle Dunoise through Le Bourg d'Hem and Champsanglard to Glénic. Held back by three dams, these lakes are full of a wide variety of fish - the place for angling - and, with sheltered, sandy beaches, a paradise for bathing and all sorts of water sports. The countryside is marked with trails for forest rambles, mountain biking and riding.
From Roche, just north of Guéret, there is a sweeping view into the door Auvergne over the mountains of La Marche.
The enormous Lake Vassivière- Across the Plateau de Gentioux is the lake of Vassivière, a vast lake for windsurfing, canoeing, waterskiing, sailing, boat excursions and fishing, a beach for bathing, and paths for rambling, riding or cycling. On the shores is the Parc d'Arbre en Arbre. An adventure park with seven daring circuits and ninety games. There are giant swings, tyralien zip, suspension bridges and new thrills to be had.
Horses and cycles can be hired on the sites. There is a sculpture park for cultural strolls through the woods and the island in the middle of the lake is home to an ambitious Contemporary Art Museum (open every day except Tuesdays), designed by the late Aldo Rossi.
The 18th century Maison des Chevaliers at Gentioux- Pigerolles takes you back into the Middle Ages. Built by the masons of the Creuse, the inside, with its turning stone staircase and carved fireplaces, belies the stern exterior. This building commemorates their skill and shows how, from the XVc, their stonework became an art-form, the granite sculpted into bas-reliefs crosses, pietas...
Outside is a medieval garden: the scent of herbs and old roses wafts through the alley of the Knights of the Crusade, there's the maze, cupola and other typical features, an inspiration for tapestries, poetry and literature. In the plateau de Millevaches is the tapestry village of Felletin, appointed Manufacture Royale in 1689 and associated since the XVc with Aubusson in the trade.
It's two churches date from XIIc and XVc; also interesting architecturally are the various chapels, a Lantern of the Dead (lanterne des morts), a dolmen, ramparts, fountains and fine period houses. And, perpetuating the reputation of the Creuse masons, Felletin houses the National Centre for the Building Trade, training master builders from all over France.
La Souterraine - This lively market town to the west is a pilgrims' halt. Some parts of the medieval ramparts, such as the massive portal of Saint-Jean, still stand. The streets are lined with charming old houses.
Don't miss the church and crypt with Gallo-Roman remains, and the Lantern of the Dead.
South-east lies Bénévent-l'Abbaye and a XIIc Romanesque abbey church, a masterpiece of masonry and carpentry.
The Golden Mean, the Druid's cross, number symbolism and other features reflect the philosophy of architecture and preservation of the science of ancient times (Celtic Moorish...) which gave an extra dimension to the work of these monastic builders. Bénévent was a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and his symbol, the scallop shell, can be seen on two capitals.
While the church still stands, there are only remains now of the XIVc and XVc abbey.
The Commanderie de Paulhac, near Fursac, was built in the XIIIc and is typical of the Limousin's Gothic rural style, much favoured by the Templars and repeated at Blaudeix, Chambéraud and Saint- Moreil.
Nearby are the Puy du Gaud, 543 metres high, and an outstanding view, the peat bogs of Friaulouse at Saint-Goussaud, the protected forest of Chabaud, with abundant fauna and flora and huge granite and plutonic rocks, the megalith Dolmen des Granges and a wealth of footpaths for rambling or mountain biking.
Another interesting visit is the workshop where chestnut shingles - bardeaux - are made, the multifunctional chestnut being an emblematic tree for the region.
Limoges - Limoges, world famous for porcelain and enamels, is the main town of the Limousin area, in the South western part of France. Here you will find a warm welcome and an invitation to share simple pleasures as well as more refined ones.
The main town of the Limousin is Limoges. to do is come and explore.
Limoges is a fusion of two neighbouring cities which expanded separately over the centuries. One is the ancient cathedral quarter rising above the river banks. The second is more extensive and its character more elusive.
The area is famous for its countryside where you can fish, trek or cycle. In addition there are numerous villages to discover such as Collonges la Rouge as well as 6 other villages listed as some of the most beautiful villages in France. There are a host of different museums to visit (for tapestries in Aubusson, for Accordeons in Tulle, for enamels and porcelain in Limoges…), as well as many festivals and tours to participate in such as the famous route taken by Richard the Lionheart.
Don't miss: Pompadour with its imposing castle and its national stud farm for Anglo-Arab horses, the varied tourists' events organised every summer and their first class races, as well as a stay in the Dordogne valley for a very pleasant trip on a gabare (local types of wooden flat boats, replicas of XIXth century boats)
Lastly, the Limousin region is famous for its cuisine based on high quality local products such as meat (Limousin beef, lamb, black bottomed pork), or fish (trout, crayfish, grayling), mushrooms, fruits (walnuts, strawberries, raspberries, black cherries, apples, chestnuts) without forgetting its local wine mille et une pierre.
Local delicacies not to miss are a tournedos aux cèpes (a piece of beef with wild mushrooms), a pâté de pommes de terre (a potato pie) a clafoutis ( a black cherry pudding), walnut liqueur etc.
Visit the region's wonderful markets: Limoges (cut price porcelain as well as a flee market every second Sunday of the month), Brive, Tulle, Guéret, and Aubusson (famous for its tapestry), or visit one of the many farms that are part of the Bienvenue à la ferme movement (welcome to the farm) to buy food and then experiment with some local recipes. If you don't have time to cook, we recommend you to try out one of the many restaurants of the region and ask for local specialities. ("Specialties locales")
Something with a difference would be La Laiterie Promenades ( Lama Walks). The la laiterie is based between Bourganeuf and Peyrat Le Chateau, and the cost is from about 30 euros per person with group discount.
Throughout the Limousin area there are various parks and gardens.
Active people may like to walk, cycle or horse ride around the beautiful countryside.
Those who like golf, there are seven courses in the Limousin area.
Also available for a day out is Futuroscope Theme Park near Poitiers. While the journey to Futuroscope will take about 2 hours, it is a new experience. There are 24 attractions grouping together all the technologies of the picture (3D, fakers, circular hemispheric, and water screen. Futuroscope is open from April to November costing 30 euros for adults/ 22 euros for 5 to 16 year olds, at the height of the season.
The Limousin is steeped in history and it is impossible to name all on offer, however one sad, but poignant reminder of the past is Oradour sur glane. The sight of a Nazi massacre on the 10th June 1944 which has been retained as a centre of remembrance.
Something of a difference is visiting the businesses of the Limousin. Over the past 10 years many factories and production sites have opened their doors for visitors. There are over 130 examples, but these include cosmetics and perfume manufacturers, apple producers, porcelain makers, pig farming or working with wood.
Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, husky rides, ice rinks, icefalls, quad rides etc are all available in the Massif du Sancy just two hours away.
So whether you are 2 years old or 102 years old, there is something for you. As there are many places of interest, I can not possibly name them all, but if there is something you might like to see or do, just ask and we will see if it is here.
Horses in the Limousin.
Limousin - has a shared history with horses. Among others there is a National Stud at Pompadour, which you can visit the stallions, broodmares and foals. The racing events with a backdrop of the castle. There are various displays, parades and competitions during the year.
On foot there are many walks both long and short. Many in loops and themed walking circuits plus the challenging national network or grand Randonee biking routes.
Flowers and Fauna - There are a selection of parks and gardens open to the public. They range from Medieval gardens to ecological gardens. The assortment of botanical and rose gardens mixed with historic parks, monks herb plots and nature trails.
Choice of Music - For music lovers you can choose between Classical Festivals, Contemporary, Jazz, Folk, Blues and World music. An assortment of Street Theatre can be found through out the summer months.
The Tourist Information Office holds brochures and leaflets giving further details and maps on all interests. Maps and details of routes for horses, bikes and walking.
