Holidays in Limousin, France

Limousin is one of the main regions of France, made up of three departments and located in the centre of France. The area remains rural, with more villages and hamlets than major cities and plenty of chances for outdoor sports enthusiasts to try out hiking, sailing or kayaking. The only town of any size is Limoges, famous for its pottery, while the countryside is very popular with people from Britain and Holland looking for second homes in France.

Limoges

The historic town of Limoges is worth a visit, not just for the porcelain shops and the museum devoted to the industry that made it famous, but also for the 12th century cathedral and the narrow, winding cobbled streets. There are a number of smaller museums in the town, including one dedicated to the wartime resistance in the region and another displaying works by craftsmen in the town's other industries, such as carpentry. There is a botanical garden, which is free to enter and rolls down towards the River Vienne, providing a great spot for a picnic.

Villages in Limousin

There are few other major towns in the region, with most of the other residents living in country houses and small villages and many still working on farms that rear the famous Limousin cattle. Some of these villages have beautiful churches or interesting stories, including Aubusson. As well as being an attractive medieval town, Aubusson is also a major centre for tapestry making and some pieces produced here hang in churches and palaces throughout Europe. There is also a museum dedicated to the art in the town. To the south-west of Limoges is the tiny village of Oradour-sur-Glane. In 1944, all the villagers were rounded up and shot by German troops on their way to Normandy as punishment for an attack by the local resistance. The ruins of the village have been left as they were on that day and on the anniversary of the tragedy, June 10th, thousands of visitors arrive in the Oradour-sur-Glane to walk through the deserted streets and pay tribute to those who died.

Water Sports

There are many lakes and rivers in the Limousin region that are ideal for canoeing or white water rafting, including stretches of the upper Dordogne River. The 16km long Lac de Chambon is a major water sports centre where you can try sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. There are also a number of natural canyons nearby which can be easily explored from the water or on foot.



The Author writes for Holiday Home Rentals who have a selection of Gites in Limousin and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.