Local Attractions

Limoges Porcelain

Renowned all over the world for its quality and its delicacy, the famous Limoges porcelain was first created in the 18th century with the discovery of kaolin in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. This material of shining whiteness, essential to the production of hard porcelain, allowed the launch of the handcrafted porcelain industry in Haute-Vienne. Today, several factories perpetuate this important artistic tradition. Not to be missed: the Adrien Dubouché national museum, in Limoges. Dedicated to the world of ceramics, this venue exhibits a large collection of hard and soft porcelains, but also collections of pottery, earthenware and stoneware.

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The Mounts Limousin

The mounts Ambazac and the mounts Blond, crossed by numerous footpaths, are favourite places for hikers. This peaceful and unspoilt area, run through by the River Taurion and dotted with numerous ponds, is also a paradise for fishermen. In the heart of Ambazac mounts, fans of water-based activities must head straight for Saint-Pardoux lake, which covers a total of 330 hectares. Not to be missed either, the Ambazac church, which is home to two gems dating from the 12th century: a reliquary and a silk dalmatic (long, loose garment) from the treasures of the former Grandmont Abbey.

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Châteauponsac

Overlooking a meander of the River Gartempe, the small typical town of Châteauponsac offers visitors its Saint-Thyrse Romanesque church, its picturesque old town with old houses and its terrace gardens with a view of the valley. Set up in a former Benedictine priory, the René-Baubérot museum is dedicated to arts and popular traditions and is home to reconstructions of typical Limousin interiors, as well as archaeological collections.

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La Souterraine

Stopping point on the Way of St James (Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route), the medieval town of La Souterraine has a rich history and boasts a beautiful heritage, with its granite church, its fortifications and its old houses. Built from the 11th to the 13th century by the monks of the abbey Saint-Martial de Limoges, the Notre-Dame church combines both Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its crypt, a former Gallo-Roman churchyard, can be visited in July and August. Near the church stands the monumental Saint-Jean gateway dating from the 13th century, all that remains of the former ramparts. Four kilometres from the historic centre, don't miss seeing imposing Bridiers tower, keep of a former fortress, and its medieval gardens. In August, this place is home to the Historic Fresco of Bridiers, a wonderful medieval show combining music, lights and fireworks, performed by over 300 actors in costume!

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Saint-Benoît-du-Sault

The fortified medieval village of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages", is a lovely place for a wander, with a rampart walk, narrow lanes lined with old houses, a fortified gate, belfry and Romanesque church. Alongside the latter are the buildings of an old Benedictine priory. Enjoy the pretty view of Portefeuille valley from the church terrace!

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The Crozant Castle

Standing on its rocky spur at the confluence of the Creuse and Sédelle rivers, the medieval castle of Crozant overlooks a wonderful site, both wild and picturesque, which has inspired a number of impressionist painters by its beauty. As a powerful fortified town in the past, this fortress has kept some remains, such as the square keep, the entrance building and three towers.

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Éguzon Lake

Éguzon (or Chambon) lake lies in the heart of the Creuse valley near Éguzon-Chantôme and covers 312 hectares. At this vast stretch of water surrounded by pleasant, unspoilt scenery, you can either unwind on one of the equipped beaches or get active with one of the many activities on offer: wind sailing, canoeing, boating, waterskiing, pedalos, swimming, rowing and fishing. A viewpoint on the hillside above the lake offers a beautiful view of the impressive Éguzon dam.

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Gargilesse-Dampierre

The village of Gargilesse-Dampierre, nestled in the lush, green Creuse valley and one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages", has always been a favourite haunt for artists, including the writer George Sand who loved going there to recharge her batteries. The picturesque charm of the place continues to attract painters, sculptors and craftspeople today, as is demonstrated by the numerous studios and galleries that fill the village. Walk around the church and château to explore the beautiful group of houses with pitched roofs. Don't miss going to admire the art treasures in Notre-Dame church, a beautiful Romanesque building containing no fewer than 120 historiated capitals! The crypt, located under the chevet, houses a 12th-century wooden Virgin and magnificent frescoes dating from the 13th to 16th centuries. Also worth a visit is Villa Algira, a small house that was once George Sand's refuge and is today a museum dedicated to the novelist. Every August, the Romanesque church of Gargilesse-Dampierre hosts a well-known harp festival.

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Sainte-Sévère-sur-Indre

The village of Sainte-Sévère-sur-Indre, dominated by the ruins of its keep, is famous for having served as the set for the famous Jacques Tati movie Jour de Fête in 1947. The market square, which was used as a backdrop in the film, is very pretty with its 17th-century covered market, 15th-century fortified door and 16th-century wayside cross. Jacques Tati fans must make a point of visiting the Maison de Jour de Fête, an entertaining museum space dedicated to the illustrious actor/director's work. A market takes place under and around the covered market every Wednesday morning.

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Châteauroux Forest

State-owned Châteauroux oak and beech forest covers 5,204 hectares to the south of the town of Châteauroux. It is home to a large number of wild animals such as stags, roes, foxes, wild boars and squirrels. Crossed by an extensive network of footpaths, Châteauroux forest is the ideal place for a family walk, as well as hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. "Sensitive Natural Area" information panels dotted along the walking trails explain this natural environment through a variety of topics.

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Argentomagus Archaeological Site

The archaeological site of Argentomagus, a Gallo-Roman city dating from 2AD in the village of Saint-Marcel, takes visitors on a journey back through time to Antiquity. The remains include a monumental fountain, Virou theatre, temples and the house of Quintus Sergius Macrinus. An archaeological museum housed in a modern building has a fine collection of prehistoric and Gallo-Roman objects found during excavations at the site and in the Creuse valley, as well as models, reconstructions, films and audiovisual exhibits. Under the museum lies an archaeological crypt that contains a Gallo-Roman domestic altar that was unique in Gaul. You can also visit the Roman garden with its collection of aromatic, medicinal, dye-producing and decorative plants.

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Argenton-sur-Creuse

The small town of Argenton-sur-Creuse, known as the Venice of Berry, is very picturesque with typical old houses with galleries and balustrades reflected in the water of the Creuse river. The best places to admire this beautiful scene are the old bridge over the river or the terrace of Bonne-Dame chapel perched on the hillside above, where the view over the rooftops and valley is stunning. Don't miss visiting the town itself for its pretty streets and lanes like Rue Raspail, Saint-Sauveur church flanked by a Neo-Gothic bell tower porch and the museum of shirt-making and male elegance (Musée de la Chemiserie et de l'Elégance Masculine).