Limousin region
The region of Limousin is right at the heart of rural France.
It is a region of rolling forested hills and open agricultural land, much of it grazed by the famous Limousin cattle and sheep. It has numerous outdoor activities on offer, such as walking, cycling, horse riding and swimming, sailing, windsurfing and water ski-ing on its many lakes. The region is known as the "Lake District of France". The capital of the region, Limoges, is a bustling vibrant city with excellent shopping, restaurants, hotels and cafes. There is also an airport with direct flights to the UK and a link to the TGV, via Poiters, to Paris. Limoges is, of course, famous for its porcelain and it is still produced today. The climate in the Limousin is hot summers, with sudden thunderstorms (which keep the region so green!) and fairly cold winters. The region is famous for its' beef, charcuterie, saussison and pates, often chestnut based.
Rental accommodation is widely available throughout Limousin, ranging from city hotels in Limoges, smaller establishments in the many market towns to country auberges. There are plenty of bed and breakfast establishments and many gites, often rural, to rent. If you are looking for a holiday to be taken at a slower pace of life, then Limousin should be on your list of places to visit.
The Departments
Correze is the most southerly of the three Limousin departments. Its' capital, Tulle is built on the banks of the river Tulle is a bustling, lively town. It holds an Accordian Festival every year. At Pompadour is the famous National Stud with many events to watch and the area is a haven for horse riders. In Brive there are many smart shops and restaurants. Correze is home to several "plus beaux villages de France". Saint Robert is a particularly pretty town with a Roman church and a supposedly magic fountain.
The department of Creuse is on the western fringe of the Massif Central and the east of the department is more mountainous. It is a land of rolling hills and forests, lakes and rivers. Gueret, the department capital, has a lovely museum dedicated to the archeology and history of the area. It also hold a "brocante" once a month in the summer. Aubusson is famous for tapestry, and has a museum well worth visiting. One of the largest lakes in France, Lac Vassiviere, is in Creuse and here you will find every sort of water sport and man-made beaches. Near Mont de Gueret there is a wolf park where you can watch wolves in their natural habitat.
The Haute-Vienne is the third department in Limousin. It has several gourmet festivals held in various areas throughout the summer months. Le Dorat is a medieval town with a fine cathedral. The old village of Oradour-sur-Glane still stands exactly as it was as a memorial to the 640 people who were massacred there in the second world war. There is a museum dedicated to the resistance movement in the area. St. Junien is a centre for leather goods, where there is a factory shop. Limoges, the capital of the department and the region, is a lovely city with charming gardens, galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants.
The region of Limousin is right at the heart of rural France.
It is a region of rolling forested hills and open agricultural land, much of it grazed by the famous Limousin cattle and sheep. It has numerous outdoor activities on offer, such as walking, cycling, horse riding and swimming, sailing, windsurfing and water ski-ing on its many lakes. The region is known as the "Lake District of France". The capital of the region, Limoges, is a bustling vibrant city with excellent shopping, restaurants, hotels and cafes. There is also an airport with direct flights to the UK and a link to the TGV, via Poiters, to Paris. Limoges is, of course, famous for its porcelain and it is still produced today. The climate in the Limousin is hot summers, with sudden thunderstorms (which keep the region so green!) and fairly cold winters. The region is famous for its' beef, charcuterie, saussison and pates, often chestnut based.
Rental accommodation is widely available throughout Limousin, ranging from city hotels in Limoges, smaller establishments in the many market towns to country auberges. There are plenty of bed and breakfast establishments and many gites, often rural, to rent. If you are looking for a holiday to be taken at a slower pace of life, then Limousin should be on your list of places to visit.The Departments
Correze is the most southerly of the three Limousin departments. Its' capital, Tulle is built on the banks of the river Tulle is a bustling, lively town. It holds an Accordian Festival every year. At Pompadour is the famous National Stud with many events to watch and the area is a haven for horse riders. In Brive there are many smart shops and restaurants. Correze is home to several "plus beaux villages de France". Saint Robert is a particularly pretty town with a Roman church and a supposedly magic fountain.
The department of Creuse is on the western fringe of the Massif Central and the east of the department is more mountainous. It is a land of rolling hills and forests, lakes and rivers. Gueret, the department capital, has a lovely museum dedicated to the archeology and history of the area. It also hold a "brocante" once a month in the summer. Aubusson is famous for tapestry, and has a museum well worth visiting. One of the largest lakes in France, Lac Vassiviere, is in Creuse and here you will find every sort of water sport and man-made beaches. Near Mont de Gueret there is a wolf park where you can watch wolves in their natural habitat.The Haute-Vienne is the third department in Limousin. It has several gourmet festivals held in various areas throughout the summer months. Le Dorat is a medieval town with a fine cathedral. The old village of Oradour-sur-Glane still stands exactly as it was as a memorial to the 640 people who were massacred there in the second world war. There is a museum dedicated to the resistance movement in the area. St. Junien is a centre for leather goods, where there is a factory shop. Limoges, the capital of the department and the region, is a lovely city with charming gardens, galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants.