Living in France

Limousin Haute Vienne

The Limousin consists of three departments, the Haute Vienne, Creuse and Correze they are known as the ‘Lake District’ of France. The land is of upland pastures, forestry and pure water, springing from the region itself or just a little higher in the Massif Central. Waterfalls, springs, fountains, rivers and streams, flow into the Loire or south into the Garonne, irrigating the green fields and flowing through woodlands and gorges. This is an ideal destination for those in search of peace and quiet, unspoilt scenery: ramblers, riders, anglers, golfers, rock climbers, canoeists and water sports fans.

HAUTE VIENNE

The Haute Vienne, a region of open countryside, with Limoges as its capital, stretches westwards from the flanks of the Massif Central. Being the first obstruction to be met by the clouds off the Atlantic, its eroded and corrugated granite base is subjected to a great deal of rain, which is why the region is green and abundantly wooded. To the north of the department lies the Basse Marche, dominated from the south by the Monts de Blond and the Monts d’Ambazac. These mini-mountains reach a maximum height of 700 metres, but afford some magnificent views from their rounded, sometimes barren, granite slopes.

The capital of Haute Vienne and Limousin itself is Limoges; this is a thriving cosmopolitan city, with plenty of restaurants and bars. It is very famous for its fine porcelain and has many
porcelain factories as well as the National Ceramic museum which houses a fine collection of porcelain and ceramics. It is also the birthplace of Renoir and this region continues to attract artists today, with its delightful scenery.

Pictured right: The Gare des Benedicts of Limoges

SAINT LEONARD NOBLAT

Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, on the banks of the Vienne river and an important halt on the Santiago pilgrim road, is a jewel of medieval architecture. Once protected by an outer wall with fortified gates, the old town is criss-crossed by alleyways and boasts many XIIIc-XVIIIc houses.

LE DORAT

Le Dorat is a must to visit the collegiate, one of the largest most complete and most curious Romanesque edifices in France. This town is rich in history but blends with life today. It holds many events including 3 annual horse racing events (June, July and August) national horse show (September) Sound and Light show (August).
Le Dorat Collegiate Le Dorat Church

AMBAZAC

Ambazac lies by the gently undulating ridges of the Monts d’Ambazac. Its history can be seen in the 13th century Saint-Antoine church. It is a lively town which welcomes visitors to its charming streets and offers a great many activities, including long distance footpaths, tennis and squash courts, a lake with facilities for water sports, riding and cultural activities.

CREUSE

CROZANT

This department of Limousin is one of the least populated areas. If you love peace and quiet, this department certainly offers you this, with its unspoilt countryside, dramatic landscapes and such breathtaking views you will be spoilt for choice here. The rivers here are full of Trout, Trench, Roach, Carp and Pike find your Tabac to pick up a fishing licence enjoy the surrounding countryside and fishing. With artists such as Renoir and Monet it is not difficult to see why they celebrated the landscape here.
Starting in the north-east corner of the department, bordering the Auvergne and the Centre regions, or the Old Berry and Bourbonnain, is Boussac, on a fortified rocky spur much fought over since the days of the original Gallo-Roman camp (Bociacum)

Lac de Vassiviere

This is one of France’s largest man made lakes and for those who have a passion for water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, water-skiing and sailing you will be spoilt for choice. This lake also offers other activities such as rambling, riding, cycling and of course you can relax on the beach. Why not visit this wonderful lake to see why it is a favourite holiday destination of the French.

Towns of Interest

La Souterraine

La Souterraine is a 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. A well worth visit is the church and crypt with Gallo-roman remains, and the Lantern of the Dead.

Benevent l'Abbaye

To the south-east lies Benevent-l’Abbaye and a XIIc Romaneque 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. France’s Capital of tapestry

Aubusson

Aubusson is well worth a visit and is still flourishing today. The Tapestry Museum has permanent and temporary exhibitions tracing their history from the XVc to the present day. The town is built along the valley of the Creuse river, with interesting architectural features from the Middle Ages, turrets, carved windows and doorways.

CORREZE

This department has the harshest landscape. This delightful department has rivers, lakes, waterfalls and gorges which is why it is considered a paradise for water-skiers, boaters, windsurfers and canoeists. You don’t have to be the adventurous outdoor enthusiast to enjoy this department it also offers those who prefer to take things at a gentler pace good fishing and safe bathing.

Correze lies on the south-western slopes of the Massif Central. The slopes are in fact more of a podium, the bottom step of which is occupied by the Bas Pays, the second by the plateau of Haute Correze and the top level is known simply as La Montagne, the mountains. Tulle is the capital of Correze and is a town which is built on and around seven hills and snakes along the Correze river. It houses the prefecture and the aptly named Theatre of the Seven Hills.

‘Tres Beau’ Villages

Treignac

Treignac which is on the upper gorges of the Vezere is an absolute paradise for canoeing and rafting, it has a stunning view houses nestled in amongst trees.

Uzerche

The medieval town of Uzerche is surrounded by the river Vezere and is well worth a visit.

Turenne

The Eleventh Century chateau town of Turenne overlooks the town of Collognes-la-Rouges the name is because of its red stone building.

Cuemonte

Cuemonte has no less than three castles and the medieval village of Saint Robert with its Romanesque church. The Segur-le-Chateau with its castle can be found on the banks of Auvezere.

Activities You Can Enjoy in Limousin

The range of fishing venues in the Limousin region is simply enormous. At least 12 lakes are open all year round for fishing, and most of the other lakes offer fishing during the season. Check out the Lakes and Rivers section for some venues.
In the Limousin there are over 2,240 kms of riverbank for fishing of which 1,956 km is classed as prime trout and salmon water (category 1), the remainder for predatory fish species (category 2). In addition to this there are 39 dammed reservoirs with nearly 5000 hectares of water. The countryside in the area has many wonderful rides in the forests where you may be lucky enough to see some of the numerous deer, wild boar and the abundance of birds of prey.

Golf Limoges St Lazare

There are nine golf courses to choose from in the Limousin region, all of them open to visitors. Two of them are near Limoges. Prices are lower than you would normally pay in the UK and generally uncrowded.
5 minutes from the city centre and 30 minutes from Les Hirondelles cottages. 18 hole golf course on 70 hectares. Designed by M. Hubert Chesneau - director general of the French Golf Federation.
Open all year round to visitors.

Golf Limoges Saint-Lazare
Avenue du Golf
87000 Limoges
Tél. : +33.(0)5.55.30.21.02.
Fax. : +33.(0)5.55.30.28.01.

Golf de Bourganeuf
New 9 hole golf course opened in 2004. Practice area with bunkers etc.
Approx 25 minutes from Les Hirondelles cottages.

Golf de Bourganeuf
Route de Gueret - 23400 BOURGANEUF
Telephone : +33 (0) 6 75 14 93 19

Cycling

With the French having a passion for cycling, you will very often or not see quite a few French out cycling during the summer. There are many scenic cycling routes through woodlands, lakes and our local lake called Lac Saint Pardoux has an excellent cycling trail around it. If you are feeling adventurous there are races where you can compete in too.

Certainly where we live, there are villages which can be completed on a circle and the countryside and wildlife certainly makes it an exhilarating day, we often take a picnic on a summer’s day to enjoy a leisurely bike ride and stop off to have some lunch at another swimming lake in Lauriere.

Canoeing

The Corrèze has more than 40 man made lakes, 6 of which have a surface area of more than 100 hectares, and 4 water-sports centres which can be found in Argentat, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Objat and Tulle. In the Corrèze, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice with a wide range of activities available, such as swimming, sailing, windsurfing, speed boating water-skiing, jet skiing and rowing. Canoeing and Kayaking are fun ways of exploring the Corrèze and can be enjoyed on 5 rivers offering different levels of difficulty: the Corrèze, Diège, Dordogne, Maronne and Vézère – numerous hire stations can be found along these rivers. For those who would like either some lessons or indeed participate on an organised trip, there are 4 canoeing and kayaking centres that can be found at: -

1) The base de Bourbacoup in Tulle (on the Corrèze)

2) A.D.N Centres in Argentat, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Brivezac and Monceaux-sur-Dordogne (all on the Dordogne.)

3) The Base de la Minoterie in Uzerche (on the Vézère). Rafting also available.

4) The A.D.P.A centre de la Lombardertie in Saillant de Voutezac (on the Vézère) Rafting also available.

Water Sports

With the Limousin Region being compared to the Lake District, it is not difficult to see why people make the comparison and it does live up to its name. We are surrounded by lakes, just 2km away we have the swimming lake at Lauriere Le Pont D’age, which has camping facilities, small boat hire, and a small beach. Going towards Ambazac about 10km we have a Plan d’eau called Plan De Jonas which offers swimming.

There is recreational lake approximately 15km called Lac Saint Pardoux (left), which offers water sports, including water skiing, kayaking, swimming, cycling as well as other activities. In the summer it is bustling with people.

There is one lake which is very worthy of a mention, its sheer vastness, beauty and size it is call the Lac Vassivere (Right), there are plenty of activities to keep even the most active person amused here. With over 300km of walking and cycling trails, there are many water sports available. If all that activity sounds too much, there is something for you too, there is also an island that does boast a sculpture park and the Centre d’art Contemporian which is designed in the image of a ship and lighthouse. Why not visited the café whilst you are on the island to take in the gorgeous scenery, you must also visit the art museum which is in a not only impressive setting but it makes an unforgettable experience. You can also take a boat trip on the lake (in season).

Of course this region also offers water sports on rivers too, and the Taurion is a very pretty river, there are also water sports including canoeing, kayaking, rafting, water polo and waterskiing on the main river of the region, called the majestic Vienne.

Hiking

We over look what are famously called the Ambazac Hills (Monts d’Ambazac) and these provide popular walks and reach 800m through woodlands, but you are rewarded with lovely views. Approximately 9km we also have the Abortetum which provides an easy walk with plenty of picnic sports to be enjoyed. Walking in France is another pastime which is often enjoyed and in the summer, you will see walking parties about. Many walks will take you to historic sites and you will be rewarded with dramatic scenery, even if you can’t understand French, you can still enjoy the scenery surrounding you.