Things to do
The Lakes
The Creuse department is also known as the Lake District of France. You cannot avoid the water in this region, whether it be lunch overlooking the river Creuse, a boat ride around the ruins of Crozant castle, or sunbathing on the beaches at Vassivière.
Lac de Vassivière (pictured above), about an hours drive from us, is the largest lake in the Limousin, around 1000 hectares. The lake has six sandy beaches, three pleasure boat harbours, 300km of walks and 45km of shoreline crossing between the Creuse and the Haute Vienne departments of the Limousin. There are 3 lakes closer to us, albeit much smaller, with beaches, play-parks, swimming areas and other activities.
At Chatelus Malvaleix lake is a beach, two play areas for different age groups of children, and a cordonned off swimming area. There is also a small café that is open in the summer holidays. Additionally you can take a nice stroll around the lake.
Chenerailles lake is also about 20 minutes from the lodges. There is a beach and swimming area, as well as an excellent walk through the forest with play points for the kids.
Lac De Vassiviere:
A 30km shore path has been created around the lake for hikers and mountain bike riders. Don’t worry if you are not a sports enthusiast: there are shorter path variants too.
Free taxi boats operate on the lake every day from April to October. You can go for a walk and use the taxis to shorten your walk. You can download a booklet Sentier de Rivers for the full 30km walk.
http://www.lelacdevassiviere.com/pratique/nos-brochures
Heritage
Explore the history of Creuse by visiting the many Châteaux, fortresses, manors or museums amongst the surrounding medieval towns and villages. There are a number of chateaux (castles) in the Creuse, including Villemonteix (pictured below) and Boussac.
For more info please visit:
http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/castles
http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/museums-and-exhibition-spaces
http://www.gueret-tourism.co.uk/Discover/Heritage
Chénérailles – Châteaux de Villemtonteix – Medieval civil building in the middle of the Creuse district with beautiful tapestries from Flanders and Aubusson. Open April to October.
Crozant – The ruins of a citadel, with several successive ramparts, a 15th century keep and two 13th century towers plus a chapel and a “tour de l’eau” from where water could be raised from the river whilst covered and safe from attack. The ruins were acquired a few years ago by the commune. A major reconstruction was undertaken resulting in the reopening of the site to the public. From the 19th century, the area around Crozant inspired many painters including Paul Castans (1823-1892) and Armand Guillaumin (1841-1927).
Bazinette – A living memory of the past, it is a rural complex dating from the 15th and 17th centuries. It is unique in the Limousin area and represents a typical large old farm and the rural activity of centuries past.
Natural sites & Parks
With breathtaking forests, waterfalls, nature reserves, valleys and of course the lakes the department of Creuse has plenty of nature to enjoy.
The Loups de Chabrières animal park in the Monts de Guéret Not far from Gueret is Chabrières forest which is home to “Les Loup des Chabrières”, a sanctuary to wolves where they can live in a near natural habitat protected from the outside world.
https://www.loups-chabrieres.fr
The Monts de Guéret’s Giant Labyrinth Close to Guerét there is a huge maze where you can test your sense of direction with or without the clues provided. There is also a farmyard, water slide and picnic areas within the park. This has been a great day out for previous guests.
https://www.labyrinthe-gueret.fr/
For more info regarding natural sites and parks visit:
http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/natural-sites
Activities
Golf – La Jonchère is an 18 hole golf course set in the Creuse countryside, decorated with century-old Oaks and a superb panorama of the Combrailles. The course is accessible to experienced golfers and beginners.
http://www.golfdelajonchere.com
Fishing – 3800km of rivers and streams and 3000ha of dams and lakes attract many angler’s to the department of Creuse. For more information visit –
http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/fishing
Cycling – You can explore the local area by bike with many cycle paths and mountain biking centres. For more information –
http://www.gueret-tourism.co.uk/Outdoor-activites/Activities/Mountain-biking-in-the-Monts-de-Gueret
http://www.gueret-tourism.co.uk/Outdoor-activites/Activities/Cycle-tourism
http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/cyclotourism, http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/mtb
Hiking, Walking & Orientation – Discover the countryside by taking one of the many marked out paths in the surrounding area.
http://www.gueret-tourism.co.uk/Outdoor-activites/Activities/Hiking
http://www.gueret-tourism.co.uk/Outdoor-activites/Activities/Orientation
Horse Riding – There are several equestrian centres in the region offering lessons, horse rides and cart rides.
http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/horse-riding
http://www.gueret-tourism.co.uk/Outdoor-activites/Activities/Horse-riding
The Velo Rail – A great day out on these pedal powered cars on a disused railway. The uphill parts will need some effort! The Velo-Rail De La Mine is in Bosmereau les Minese.
http://www.veloraildelamine.fr/joomla/fr/
For more information about activities in the area please visit:
