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Activities
Abbeys and Notable Churches :-
Ahun & Moutier d’Ahun - Roman church (impressive wood carvings) Roman bridge
Bénévent l’Abbaye - Roman abbey
Bétête - Cistercian abbey (12th and 18th century)
Bourganeuf - Medieval collection
Chambon-sur-Voueize - Benedictine abbey (One of the most impressive structures in Limousin)
La Souterraine - Medieval town
Sous-Parsat - Church (contemporary frescoes)
Toulx-Ste-Croix - Church (11th century)
Aerial Hobbies :-
Boussac - Air baptism
Guéret - Parapent
Lépaud - Aerodrome, gliding and flying lessons
St-Laurent - Aerodrome, gliding and flying lessons, flights over the department, parachuting
Animal Parks :-
Guéret - Wolves in their natural habitat
Azat-Châtenat - Reindeer
Thaurion - Bison farm
Astronomy :-
Guéret - Observatoire Planétarium des Monts de Guéret
Boat trips :-
There are three locations for boat trips around lake Vassivière, one boat has an on board restaurant. You can also hire a boat from Auphelle on lake Vassivière
Canoeing :-
Tour Lake Vassivière by hiring a canoe or Kayak from the beach at Broussas for either day time or night time adventure. Discover the environment, flora and fauna and watch the stars from July to August 10:00 to 12:00 then from 14:00 to 19:00. Night time canoeing is from 22:00.
Or ride down one of the rivers La Vienne, La Maulde or La Vézère around Limousin, class 2 and 3 www.vezerepassion.com. Canoeing and Kayak, Eymoutiers, open all year.
Aubusson - Rafting, lessons, equipment rental
Kayak Club Marchois - Swimming, lessons, river descending, equipment rental
Kayak Club Tulliste - Eaux vives en Corrèze Tulle, Canoe, Kayak, aqua rando and rafting www.correze-eauxvives.com
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Chateaux :-
There are 26 Châteaux in the Limousin region
Château de Boussac, a 12th-15th century and were Georges Sands stayed. An inhabited magnificently furnished château. In summer, there is an exhibition of contemporary tapestries.
Château de Chalus
Château de Rochechouart is a magnificent 15th century building has an exceptional collection of 16th century frescoes.
Château de Sainte-Feyre, built in 1760 on the site of a castle a unique example of classic style in the region. Beautiful mediaeval remains have survived, notably a defensive tower. The visit includes the grounds and some ten rooms, www.multimania.com/chateau1
Château de Coussac-Bonneval, a lived in and furnished Château, one of the most beautiful in Limousin.
The feudal castle of Châlus-Chabrol, rediscover the Hundred Year War - it was here, in 1199, that King Richard was waging war when he was shot by a bolt from a crossbow.
Château de Chantmille - Ahun, 15th century Marche castle
Château de Villemonteix - Chénerailles, 15th century still lived in
Domaine de Banizette -
Nouaille, collection of 15th century rural architecture.
Climbing :-
Parc d'Arbre en Arbre, an aerial rope course challenge set in the tall pine trees made up of 7 circuits with 90 games. Open everyday from the end of June to the end of August 09:30 to 19:30. Also open weekends from April to the end of September, week days need to be booked in advance.
Contemporary Art :-
Vassivière contemporary art centre is situated on the Ile de Vassivière 'island of Vassivière' and is surrounded by an extensive sculpture park, with an exhibition centre open all year round. It has a great café overlooking Lake Vassivière with a wonderful walk around the island discovering the works of art along the way.
Château de Rochechouart which houses the "Departmental Museum of Contemporary Art".
Espace Paul Rebeyrolle on the outskirts of Eymoutiers, a permanent exhibition of 50 paintings and sculptures of Paul Rebeyrolle (1926-2005). Open all year 10:00 til 18:00 (19:00 in summer) but closed 1st May and the last week of the year.
Distillery :-
Musée des Distilleries limougeaudes (Limoges Distillery Museum) was founded in 1789 and the distillery is the last in a long line of local brewers and distillers.
Festivals /Fetes :-
There are such a lot of different and varied festivals and fetes through out the year in and around this gorgeous region that we haven't yet found one central source for all the information. The festivals can range from music, literature, theatre and culture, local food specialties like strawberries, cheese, chestnuts or frogs, international and local fete's celebrating all aspects of rural life, children's fair's, brocantes to a celebration of old working machines. Some of the advertising is quite local but a good place to start would be our local tourist office at Auphelle 'Maison Vassivière' www.vassiviere.com
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Fishing :-
There are 3400km of trout rivers and streams thoughout Limousin and a variety of coarse and game fishing. The season for 1st category running water and managed lakes is 13th March to 19th September. 2nd category for running water and managed lakes is angling all year. Lake Vassivière has a depth of 35mts, with fishing for pike, perch, carp and black bass for example. Pike season runs from 26th January to 7th May. One place for fishing with a licence for night carp fishing is in Lac de Faux, a 45 hectare lake just a 5 minuit walk from Vallon Vert.
Gardens :-
"Vallee de la Sedelle" This river which inspired the painters of the "Crozant School", also seduced gardener and landscape gardener Gilles Clement. The sites have tried to follow Clement’s original aim to create a "garden in movement", including :
Arboretum de la Sedelle - Villejoint.
A 10 hectares dale with a collection of oaks and maples, a beech grove, a topiary garden, a “garden of smells”, the green amphitheatre, a tea-house, and more
Les jardins Clos de la Forge - Villejoint.
Seven small-enclosed gardens planted around traditional Creuse houses, including:
Bower enclosure, green theatre, small fruit garden, hardy plants garden, shade garden...
Saint-Germain Beaupre - Les Jardins de la Crinaldiere, 4 gardens planned around a 15th-17th manor : More than 300 species of bush and a collection of willows.
Golf :-
St Lazare - Limoges, 18 holes, 6824 yards, sss:73. 2 km south of Limoges off the RN20.
La Porcelaine Celiroux golf club - 18 holes 6602 yards, sss:72. 6km north-east of Limoges
Chammet golf course which overlooks the beautiful lake Chammet, a 9 holes course, 12.5km from Vallon Vert. Open all year. www.golf-chammet.fr
Golf de Bourganeuf, a 9 holes course, Open all year.
Miniature golf at Auphelle, a 11 holes mini golf course, open from easter to 1st november.
Horse riding :-
With 350kms of bridle ways.
The equestrian centre of Vassivière is at Masgrangeas, open all year just 10km from Vallon Vert.
Domaine de la Bussière at St-Pierre-Bellevue is open all year.
Equestrian Farm des Villards at Peyrat-le-Château.
Limoges :-
Le Quartier de la Boucherie (butchers' district).
La Chapelle Saint-Aurélien (Chapel of St Aurelien) - built by the Butchers' Guild in 1471.
La Maison Traditionnelle du Boucher (traditional butcher's shop) - small museum presenting the history of the butcher's trade.
Les Halles (covered market) : was inspired by the machine hall of the 1878 World Fair and was built in the same year. Saint-Etienne's Cathedral,
Bishop's Palace and gardens.
Musée de l'Evéché - the Municipal Museum which presents one of the largest collections of world-famous enamels and a wide range of Impressionist painting by Renoir, who was born in Limoges.
Markets :-
There are many different size's of market in and around Limousin but one thing they have in common is there abundance in fresh colourful local produce. The bigger markets are mainly in the larger towns throughout the whole year.
The main market days vary from one town or village to the next, but there will always be a market open somewhere throughout the region.
Ahun - Mini-motorbike school
Aubusson - Driving school and cross-country
Budelière - Mini-motorbikes
Royère-de-Vassivière, base for all terrain vehicles, Quad, Motocross, Trial, Buggy, Jet Ski and 4x4, open all year. July and August location for Quad from 09:00 to 19:00 Adults : Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Children : Wednesday. www.vassiviereclubtoutterrain.com
Peyrat-le-Château, motocross course, open on request.
Mountain biking / Cycling :-
There are 1244 kilometres of marked trails for all levels of experience but one thing we can say is it is hilly in parts around Vallon Vert. Cycling being a national sport here in France is very important to everybody. The Tour de France has come through this area on the circuit around Lac de Vassivière named after the famous champion 'Raymond Pouldor' who was born here.
VTT 'velo tout terrain' is a big passion over here with many events held throughout the year in and around this spectacular region. Information can be obtained from local tourist offices, or we can find out the information and let you know.
Archeology Museum - Guéret, and collection of impressionist paintings including Armand Guillaumin
Berry-Marche Rural Museum - Boussac
Ordour sur Glane - Centre de la Memoire, the martyred village where 642 inhabitants were wiped out by the Waffen SS on 10th June 1944..
Gay-Lussac Museum - St Leonard de Noblat.
Museum of Electricity - Bourganeuf, it was one of the first towns to have electricity in France
Museum of Tapastry - Aubusson open all year.
Moulin du Got - the last paper making factory working from 1450 to 1950, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. www.moulindugot.com
Mineral Museum - Eymoutiers, open from 1st June to 30th September.
Museum of the Resistance - Peyrat-le-Château, open from May to September, the rest of the year on appointment.
Natural Sites :-
Azérables - Lake and bird reserve
Budelière - Gold mining village, forest reserve, suspended bridge over River Tardes
Guéret - Forest with unusual granite formations
Tourbière de Frialouse - Peat reserve
Toulx-Ste-Croix - Massive granite formations
Rambling / Walking :-
With over 1800kms of recognised footpaths thoughout Limousin which make up an extensive network of sigh-posted and well-maintained peaceful byways to help you discover this beautiful and colourful landscape. We have the beautiful Lac de Faux right on our doorstep, just a 5 minute walk from Vallon Vert will bring you to a 45 hectare lake great for walking, fishing, green laneing, having a picnic and swimming. There are such a variety of different walks we can help you discover with the aid of maps, cards and leaflets all from local tourist offices. And with the GR46 and GR440 passing right through Plazanet and along Lac de Faux its a walkers paradise. www.lou-chami.com
Sailing :-
Four fully equipped harbours, sailing clubs and schools on Lac de Vassivière, sailboard, regattas, two areas reserved for motor-boating and water skiing.
Nautique Club Limousin, the french school of sailing, situated on the beach at Vauveix one of the villages around Lac de Vassivière. From beginner to experienced all types of sailing, catamarans and optimists open weekends 14:00 to 18:00 from June to September and all day from July to August. www.nautic-club-limousin.fr.st
Club Nautique de Vassivière, another village on the shores of Lac de Vassivière at Auphelle great for sports sailing, organising local, regional and national regattas. Open from 1st April to 31st October.
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Skiing :-
The Association of Nordic skiing at Pigerolles, Bonnefond or St-Setiers. At Pigerolles there is also a wind farm at 949m above sea-level. Pigerolles is a village about a 30 minuit drive from Vallon Vert www.pigerolleski.free.fr
Spa :-
Evaux-les-Bains is the only hot spring spa and casino in Limousin
Sunbathing :-
Around Lac de Vassivière there are 6 fully equipped sand beaches with playgrounds for children, there are some volley-ball, basket ball, tennis courts and table tennis tables to be found around the lake. During the holiday season bathing beaches are supervised.
Water skiing / Wake-board :-
Ski Nautique Club, Auchaize, Lac de Vassivière. From beginners to advanced the club has Ski, Slalom, baby Ski, Wake-board, jumps and Bare-foot with 3 boats a pontoon with 28 places and 10 hectares of safe marked skiing. With competitions during the season. Ages from 3 years and above. Open from 1st June to 30th September / 10:00 to 13:00 then 15:00 to 19:00. www.skinautiqueauchaizevassiviere.com
Club Nautique de Vassivière, Auphelle, Lac de Vassivière, open 1st April to the 31st October.
Ski Club de Vassivière, Pierrefitte, Lac de Vassivière, open weekends from June to September and all week days from July to August. From beginner to experienced, baby ski from 3 years of age. www.skiclubvassiviere.free.fr