FURTHER AFIELD
The Haute Vienne
Chalucet
An important citidelle in the middle ages where you'll find
the ruins of the Château-Chalucet
Coussac-Bonneval
The castle dating from the 14th century with its drawbridge and
devil's tower (Tour du Diable) and perched above the town is one of
the most spectacular castles in the area.
Le Dorat
The collegiate church of St Peter is one of the finest examples
of Romanesque architecture to be found in Limousin.
Oradour-sur-Glane
A very poignant and important site for visitors to this area is
the martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glâne. The memory of the 642
inhabitants slaughtered by the Nazis on the 10 June 1944 has been
preserved since the atrocity.
The Creuse
The département of Creuse, which means 'hollow' in French is the
least inhabited departement of France - the ideal place to get away
from it all. The countryside between the two rivers, the Grand
Creuse and Petite Creuse, in the north-east corner of the
department has inspired many artists, in particular the so-called
École de Crozant and Monet.
Aubusson
Aubusson a charming town situated in the valley of the Creuse is
famous as a weaving centre and for its exquisite tapestries. The
tapestry museum the Centre Culturel Jean Lurçat, named after the
artist who revitalised the art of tapestry-making from 1930s
onwards, has a permanent exhibition tracing the history of tapestry
making in the area from the 15th century to the present day. The
town itself still has interesting features dating back to the
middle ages. Graham Sutherland's tapestry of Christ the King which
hangs in Coventry Cathedral was woven at nearby Felletin.
Boussac
Situated on the Petite Creuse, the French novelist George Sand
once lived in this town and discovered in the château the six 15th
century tapestries entitled 'Lady with the Unicorn' - now housed in
the national museum of medieval art and culture in the former Hôtel
de Cluny in Paris.
Forest of Chabrieres
Just south of the village of Guéret in the forest of Chabrières,
now home to several packs of wolves. Wolves were wiped out of
France during the first half of the 20th century but have been
re-introduced back into this area in a park where visitors are able
to observe these animals in a natural environment.
The Corréze
The department lies on the south-western slopes of the Massif
Central and the Vézère and Corrèze flow through the region before
joining the Dordognne The area is dotted with beautiful historical
towns and villages. Indeed six of the most beautiful villages in
France: Collognes-la-Rouge, Curemont, Saint-Robert,
Sègur-Le-Chateau, Treignac, Turenne - are all within easy reach of
L'Hirondelle du Lac.
Argentat
Another beautiful village on the upper stretches of the
Dordogne.
Arnac-Pompadur
Formely two towns but nowadays a single commune,the château and
title were given by Louis XV to his mistress. The town is important
nowadays as one of the National Stud Farms.
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Famous for its fine Romanesque chuch formely part of a
Benedictine Abbey.
Meymac
Situated at the edge of the Millevaches plateau this is one of
the prettiest villages in the Corrèze. Near by are the gallo-roman
ruins of Les Cars.
Uzerche
This medieval town perched on a promontary above the Vézère has
beautiful historic houses and fine examples of the Romanesque style
of architecture.
