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A year in Limousin
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January
Although January is one of the coldest months of the year it is an extremely good time to visit one of the thousands of lakes in the Limousin. If they are not completely frozen, birds from the Northern countries in Europe come to the lakes before heading back to their homeland in the spring. Preferring the bigger lakes, for safety reasons, the birds form groups in the middle of the water, and spend their days snoozing and nights eating. It is the ideal place for bird watchers, both experienced and amateurs to try and spot well-known species such as the red russet or the winter sarcelle and various species of duck.
February
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Often in February there is snow in the Limousin, especially in the areas of higher altitude and with a bit of luck the snow will remain on the ground for several weeks. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the countryside and try and spot various animal footprints such as those of a fox, squirrels, deer, rabbits, and even wild boar.
The best walks: The regional natural park of Millevaches and the mountainous areas of the region. March
With spring is finally on its way, the numerous amphibians living in the Limousin start to come out of hibernation with one only thing in mind: mating. For this they head straight to the water but not just anywhere, it has to be easily accessible, not too deep, with a little vegetation and without any current. In the Limousin there are still a few marshes and areas of water suitable for the amphibians that have not been destroyed by humans. There you will be able to spot frogs and toads and eventually tiny tadpoles. It is important to note that all of these species are protected and therefore must not be taken from the water.
Places to go: Frogs and toads can be found in numerous ponds and marshes as long as there have been no major modifications.
April
At this time of year animals such as the fox and badgers have given birth to their offspring. As the weather becomes milder they come out of and play while their parents hunt for food. It is the ideal time for spotting baby fox and badgers although it is patience is definitely required. The badgers’ burrow often has lots of entry holes and to find out whether it is being used often there will be moss with footprints in around the burrow.
Badger spotting: There are burrows all over the Limousin countryside however if you are unsure as to where to look contact your local hunting organisation.
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May
As the seasons change and summer approaches there is so much wildlife and flora to discover in the Limousin. It is a good idea to follow the hundreds of different footpaths dotted all over the area, which will often lead you to a lake or a magnificent view. The countryside is a blaze with the sulphur yellow of broom bushes in flower.June
Make the most of the sunny days, especially if you want to venture out to the mountainous areas of the Limousin as there is almost twice the amount of rainfall there than in the flatter areas of the region. These mountainous zones are full of peat bogs, still full of water, so venturing out without a good pair of boots is not advised. With over 1800kms of recognised footpaths throughout the entire Limousin region this make for an extensive network of sigh-posted and well-maintained peaceful byways to help you discover this beautiful and colourful landscape. Brilliant for walkers.
July
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August
At the height of the summer tourists are flocking in to the Limousin from all over the country and Europe. Most are attracted by tourist sites such as the Dordogne valley which is famous for the beautiful gorges and different species of birds such as falcons. Another popular tourist attraction are the Barrages de l’Aigle et du Chastang in the Corrèze. Lac de Vassivière is another exciting destination to discover with a myriad of outdoor sports, and activities. Whether your active or just want a relaxing, calm holiday there is always something to do for all the family.
September
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Just as the weather begins to cool down there is one animal that for a few weeks is far easier to spot. For stags it is the mating season and at this time of year their behaviour radically making it much easier to observe. The stag loses the natural instincts of a wild animal and often comes out of the depths and protection of the forests leaving it vulnerable and therefore easier to catch a glimpse of. A useful tip for those hoping to spot one of these magnificent animals is to try and be as quiet as possible. The countryside around Lac de Vassivière has a more relaxed feel at this time of the year, as the heather is in full bloom covering the land with a wonderful carpet of mauve and purple.
October
It is a busy time in the Limousin skies with huge quantities of birds such as swallows, owls, pipits to name just a few, leaving the region for warmer parts of the world. It is a spectacular phenomenon when for just several days thousands of birds fly through the region on a journey of approximately three weeks and during which they will fly several thousand kilometres.
November
The leaves on the trees have now changed colour and as soon as the first gusts of wind begin they will fall and the vibrant reds and yellows will be replaced by a greyer coloured countryside. In the woods a carpet of leaves will cover the few remaining mushrooms and conkers. This time of year can often feel quite depressing but it is an excellent time of year to start preparing for the spring. It is the ideal season for planting trees and bushes that will flourish and attract insects and it is also a good idea to leave grains out to attract birds.
December
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Although the Limousin is renowned for it’s lakes and water there is one mammal that is rarely sported despite being a regional emblem. Indeed the otter, a nocturnal animal, like most mammals is discreet, and therefore very rarely spotted. However December is the month when you are mostly like to see an otter, as it is the time of year when they go in search of ‘mates’. For most of the year the otter family is fairly dispersed, on the one side the male otter who enjoys a large patch of territory and on the other side the female or females with their young. In order to mate the otters leave prints as territorial marks so that the other mammals know they are there, and therefore they have to wait for the winter to do this, as their prints remain marked in the ground.
The best place to catch a glimpse: Almost everywhere in the Limousin especially in the smaller rivers. Avoid the area West of Limoges and larger rivers.
Short history of Limousin
Made up of three departments, the Haute-Vienne, Creuse and the Correze and to the west of the Massif Central the Limousin takes its name from a Celtic tribe called the Lemouices, which occupied the area at the time of the Gaul's.
Archeological sites indicate the man first settled in the region from 150,000BC at Chalucet in the Haute Vienne and at Crozant in the Creuse. Remains from later fortifications (from 450BC to the Roman Conquest can be found at Puy du Tour near Argentat (Correze), Puy de Gaudy near Guéret (Creuse) and Villejoubert near Saint-Leonard (Haute Vienne).
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Its Origins
The Limousin's capital city is Limoges, which arose from a Roman settlement at the crossing of the Bordeaux & Lyon roads.
Originally called Augustoritum, after the emperor Augustus, the area's early riches came from both tin and lead. Over the centuries and until recently, Gold, Copper, Quartz and Uranium have all been mined. The most important discovery, though, was that of kaolin - a fine and malleable white clay, discovered in the eighteenth Century and used to make the world renowned Limoges porcelain.
The Limousin has always been a sparsely populated area and during the French revolution was one of the poorest provinces in France. Because of its many hills and valleys communication was made difficult until the arrival of the railway in the 1850s started the Limousin's own economic revolution.
The Limousin has seen much change over the last 100 years, it's people suffered terrible loss in both World wars. It was the main activity point of the French resistance in WW11 and paid a heavy toll in loss of life, culminating in the massacre of the entire population of Oradour-sur-Glane in 1944. You can still visit the village, which has been turned into a national memorial.
The Creuse's history is also part of France's and indeed the world's history. A large part of Paris was built by itinerant Creuse stonemasons who, from the 15th to 19th century, left their homes and walked to the capital to find work. The Panthéon, the Tuileries, the Louvre and perhaps one of the most famous Paris monuments, the cathedral of Notre-Dame all owe their creation to generations of Creuse skilled craftsmen. Even the Pope's Palace in Avignon, one of France's best treasures, was born under their hands. But it isn't necessary to travel to these cities when even the smallest Creuse village bears witness to their prowess: sculpted window arches, decorated doorways, sturdy castles or humble village churches that show the same skilled construction to that of the best buildings in Paris. Masgot is perhaps the best example of this with the whole village having been the self-taught sculptor François Michaud's workshop.
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And did you know that in 1889 the artist Claude Monet painted his very first series of 23 paintings in the Creuse? During the latter part of the 19th century Fresselines and Crozant with its ruined 6th century castle became an 'in place' for impressionist art. In fact created by Alexandre Guillaumin and supported by painters such as Picabia and Detroy, the Crozant School of Impressionist Art became as well known as the schools of Barbizon and Pont-Aven. As a complement to impressionism you can visit the Centre for Contemporary Art on lake Vassivière Island. As well as having an exhibition gallery, the island itself is a showpiece of modern sculptures based on the theme of integrating nature into the landscape. As with the art galleries in Fresselines and Crozant exhibitions on different subjects are held all year round.
You can hunt for mushrooms and blueberries among the 153 300 hectares of forest while catching glimpses of deer, boar, lizards and birds of prey.
Its Livestock 
The Limousin suffers from acidic soil and so thrives principally on livestock farming and is famed for its Vaches Limousin, a dark reddy/brown cow which produces fine meat and leather. The province still has a small population, although it is growing, attracting more businesses whilst traditional sectors such as porcelain and tapestry continue to thrive. The space and fantastic scenery attracts many holiday makers, many who have settled permanently, seduced by the abundant countryside, fresh air and the huge number of spectacular lakes and rivers. One thing for sure is that there is always something to do in the Limousin.
Towns of Interest
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The capital of the Haute-Vienne and also the Limousin is Limoges, a thriving cosmopolitan city, plentiful in bars and restaurants. It has a good variety of boutiques and an indoor market. It has many porcelain factories and is also home to the National Ceramic museum which houses a fine collection of porcelain and ceramics.
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St Saint Leonard de Noblat and Eymoutiers both on the Vienne River you can see examples of medieval architecture, which contrast with the traditional houses made of granite walls and light brown Roman tiles.
Limoges is the birthplace of Renoir and it's easy to see why the Haute-Vienne continues to attract artists today, with its picture postcard scenery. Other major towns in the limousin include; Ambazac, Bellac, St-Yriex-la-Perche, Le Dorat, St Junien and Rochechouart
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Literally means hollow in French, and is one of the least populated departments in France. It is renowned for its peaceful, unspoilt countryside, dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views and lots of water, everywhere.
It has rivers full of Trout, Trench, Roach, Carp, and Pike, just pick up a fishing license from your local bar tabac and get casting.
The landscape has been celebrated by artists such as Monet and Renoir and has parts known as George Sand country (after the author).
The Royal tapestry town of Aubusson is worth a visit, as is La Souterraine, a lively market town whose medieval ramparts still stand. Throughout the Creuse you'll also see many fine examples of Romanesque churches.
Now for the water, Le Pays de Trois Lacs which are held back by three Dams, provide fantastic conditions for angling and water sports as well as providing man-made sandy beaches. Water lovers can also choose to be spoilt by Lac de Vassivière, a favourite holiday destination of the French where you can enjoy windsurfing, canoeing, water-skiing, sailing, boat trips, rambling, riding, cycling and to relax, a beach.
"Musee Departemental de la Tapisserie"
Created in 1981 the museum exhibits nearly 600 years of tapestry creation and production. This rich collection is composed of 17th, 18th and 19th Century tapestries and carpets. As well as works from its own collection, there are also regular exhibitions of tapestries from around the world, showcasing works right up to the present day."Centre Culturel Jean Lurcat - Avenue des Lissiers"
"Maison du Tapissier"
This is an permanent exhibition that is staged in an ancient Creusois house in Aubusson.The interior tells the history and traditions of tapestry as well as showing furniture of the period.
"Maison du Tapissier"
69, Rue Vieille - 23200 Aubusson"
Extracts taken from www.frenchentree.com-limousin