PLACES
TO VISIT IN HAUTE-VIENNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS |
LIMOGES
is the capital of the Limousin, famous the world over for its
fine porcelain
The city is large and vibrant with many shops, coffee bars,
cafes, restaurants and you could spend a day wandering. The
architecture is superb as can be seen by the photo opposite
which is the railway station Benedictin.
Just off the main A20 which runs past Limoges there are many
Zone Industrielle, which offer the opportunity to discover some
huge retail outlets with tempting prices to match. We are just
35 mins from Limoges.www.tourismelimoges.com.
www.welcome-en-limousin.com
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PERIGUEUX,
the capital city of the Dordogne, attractive city with beautiful
small shops and river walks. There are some wonderful old
parts of the town to meander around and take in the atmosphere.
There is a weekly market which sprawls throughout the street.
Again plenty of small and large eating places, and numerous
coffee bars from which to sit and watch life.
We are about an hours drive from Perigueux.
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CHATEAU
DE BRIE.
Situated just minutes away from your gite. A Castle built at
the end of the 15th century at the border of park naturel regional
Périgord-Limousin and Périgord Vert, is calm and
surrounded by a flowered park and 800 acres of woods. Part of
the route once taken by Richard the Lionheart, whose own chateau
is 10 mins away from us at Chalus.
www.templarhistory.com/richard.html
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PIEGUT
PLUVIERS. The best market locally every Wednesday with wonderful
local produce, livestock, clothing, gifts etc. etc. Also in
Piegut you will find Credit Agricole bank, restaurants, bars
and hotels. There is an Ecomarche supermarket just on the outskirts
of the town. A mere 20 mins from us.
For all market days in Haute-Vienne, Dordogne and Charente.Click
the links below.
Haute-Vienne|
Dordogne| Charente
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ROCHECHOUART.
The area of Rochechouart was the site of a meteorite landing
centuries ago. The impact created the crater which the town
now sits around. Indeed much of the meteorite material has been
used in local buildings. Rochechouart is a small market town
with pretty shops and a superb chateau with stunning views.
The lake at Rochechouart is pictured opposite. Great local market.
www.ville-rochechouart.fr
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AIXE
SUR VIENNE. Beautiful river walks, good market, shops and cafes.
Fantastic pottery factory and retail outlet. Just 25mins away.
www.ot-valdevienne.com
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CHAMPAGNAC-LA-RIVIERE.
Just 15 mins walk from your gite we have the river Tardoire
which flows gently through a purpose built picnic area. The
breeze rustles through the trees, the river burbles and there
is some lovely shady areas to relax in with picnic tables.
Around Champagnac-La-Riviere there are many lovely walks ,indeed
the GR4 footpath runs through the village. There is gentle
cycling to be found as we have a disused railway track with
runs for over 12 km from Chalus - Oradour-Sur Vayres. This
has a superb surface for walking or cycling. We offer guests
the use of two bikes if you wish. There is a tennis court
here too. Our local tourist office is www.ot-oradour-sur-vayres.fr
or
visit our events page with photos 
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BRANTOME.
A famous town about 1 hours drive away from us into the Dordogne.
Picturesque
doesn't get much better than this. Known as the Venice of the
Perigord. River walks, great restaurants and coffee bars. Street
market on Fridays. See www.ville-brantome.fr
for
full details.
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JUMILHAC
LA GRAND. Just 30 mins drive into the Dordogne countryside and
you can discover the fairytale chateau here. Guided tours are
available which take an hour or so and cost around 7 euros.
The setting is stunning. There are of course coffee bars and
a great Boulangerie
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BUSSIERE
GALLANT. A beautiful lake complex offering supervised swimming,
fishing and a buvette offering coffees and snacks etc. Picnic
tables are provided in the peaceful shady surroundings. Just
a 20 min drive from us.
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ORADOUR
SUR GLANE. The
original village still stands here as a memorial to the day,
Sat 10th June 1944, that german troops marched into the village
and brutally murdered over 600 men, women and children before
destroying much of the village.It is a sobering trip, but we
think worthwhile. There is also an exhibition centre here. Entry
to the village is free. also
see www.oradour.info
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ST
JUNIEN. Sitting on the banks of the River Vienne which flows
slowly past this town, famous for its glovemakers. Large hypermarkets
on the outskirts. This is a pretty town with many smaller shops
and coffee bars on winding streets, a lot of which are now pedestrianised.
We are just 25mins away.
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ST
MATHIEU LAKE. Just 10 minutes drive from
us you will find the lake of St Mathieu, a 14 hectare lake
with artificial beach, swimming, fishing and pedalo rental.
There is a superb restaurant and bar overlooking the lake
which
serves French and English dishes most of the day.
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LAC
DE VASSIVIERE. A stunningly beautiful and vast
lake of over 1200 hectares, surrounded by forests. The lake
offers walking, fishing, kayaking, swimming all in peaceful
surroundings. There is a cruise available which will take you
on a 2 hour trip around the lake also offering you a 7 course
meal. The boat normally leaves at 12.15 p.m. It is a drive of
about an hour from us.
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ST
JEAN DE COLE.
Situated
midway between Villars and Thiviers, St-Jean-de-Cole is one
of the loveliest villages in the Dordogne. Its main square
is surrounded by half-timbered houses, a covered marketplace,
a 12th-century church and the Chateau de la Marthonie. You
will also find the famous Grottes De Villars here with cave
paintings dating back into prehistory. Just a 35 min drive
from here.www.ville-saint-jean-de-cole.fr
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