limousin press kit 2014

press contacts
LIMOUSIN PRESS KIT 2014
Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
Isabelle STIERLIN
Press officer
T: 00 33 5 55 11 05 83 - M: 00 33 6 27 05 12 12
istierlin@crt-limousin.fr
Table of contents
Discover the destination - Page 3
The 7 wonders of limousin - Page 4
LIMOUSIN, an artists’ WONDERLAND - Page 8
tasty limousin - Page 9
limousin, a family adventure - Page 10
EVENTS - Page 11
HOW TO GET HERE - Page 12
INFORMATION - Page 13
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Discover the
destination LIMOUSIN
Whether you are nature lovers, keen on outdoor activities or local food
amateurs, whether you are travelling with family or friends, the Limousin
region is the right place for you.
Discover our beautiful and varied landscapes. Take a breath of fresh air in
one of our two Regional Nature Parks. Come and ramble or canoe along
the Dordogne river, watch wolves in a protected environment, go fishing
at sunrise and be astonished by the region’s preserved wilderness.
Discover new treasures everywhere you lay your eyes!
During your stay, contemplate our rich and diverse heritage. Romanesque
churches, abbeys, historical routes (Santiago de Compostela, Richard the
Lionheart…), several of “France’s Prettiest Villages” (Plus Beaux Villages
de France), to name just a few of the wonders we have in store for you.
Discover the artistic trades and know-how that have given Limousin its
international fame: Limoges porcelain and enamel, Aubusson tapestries,
and so much more.
Limousin is also known for its fabulous food and top quality produce
(beef, lamb, apples…) which can be found on our markets and in our
various restaurants (“Auberges de Pays”, “Logis de France” and even
Michelin star restaurants).
press contact
Once the sun has set, enjoy the comfort of a hotel, the warm welcome of
a bed-and-breakfast or the pleasure of staying in a self-catering cottage.
No matter which type of accommodation you set your heart on, you will
feel at home here!
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
The 7 Wonders of Limousin
Limoges,
«Town of Art and History»
The gorgeous city of Limoges was founded by
Roman Emperor Augustus in 10 BC, over 2.000
years ago. Its taste for art dates back to the GalloRoman era when it was called “Augustoritum”
(which means “Augustus’s ford”). Limoges’s Fine
Arts Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of enamel pieces and the Adrien Dubouché
National Porcelain Museum has over 30.000
porcelain items on display.
Limoges’s creativity is also expressed via its
“Fire Arts” : Limoges porcelain and enamel are
internationally famous. Weston shoes and the
nearby St Junien glove factories provide top
quality leather goods to France’s most famous
designers. Francis Chigot’s (early 20th century)
wonderful, colourful stained-glass windows are
Limoges’s pride and joy.
www.limoges-tourisme.com
BRIVE LA GAILLARDE
press contact
Crédits : Vu Theara/CRT Limousin
Brive-la-Gaillarde, on the border between Limousin
and Périgord, offers visitors an abundance of treasures.
Its renowned market (mentioned in a song by French
singer/songwriter Georges Brassens) overflows with
delightful food and local produce. The town’s historical and cultural heritage is also infinitely rich, with
tiny streets in the old quarters and nearby towns of
Collonges la Rouge, Turenne and Curemonte, which
all have the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (France’s
prettiest villages) label.
www.brive-tourisme.com
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
Portes d’entrée
The 7 Wonders of Limousin
AUBUSSON,
Tapestry capital
Aubusson tapestry became famous in the
17th century and is one of the assets of
luxury crafts in Limousin. Nowadays, most tapestries are made to order (old or contemporary tapestries, restoration and rug making)
and are often exported to the Middle East
and to North America.
Aubusson is the only place in the world
where each and every tapestry-linked trade
has been represented for the last 6 centuries
(from wool producers to tapestry makers).
www.tourisme-aubusson.com
TULLE,
The heart of Corrèze
press contact
Crédits : Pierre SOISSONS_ADT Corräze
Tulle is surrounded by clear water and greenery. It
is the perfect place to relax, get away and get on
the move.
The town has crossed the centuries with pride and
offers its inhabitants and visitors a perfect mixture
of heritage and culture. In Tulle, be sure to visit
Maugein, France’s last accordion factory .
www.tulle-coeur-correze.com
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
The 7 Wonders of Limousin
THE IMPRESSIONIST PAINTERS’ VALLEY,
Between Berry and Limousin – Guéret/Crozant
In 1889, Claude Monet, the master of
Impressionism, settled down in Fresselines
where the two Creuse rivers meet. Inspired by
the beauty and the poetry of its everchanging
landscapes, he painted his very first series of
23 paintings here, which are now exhibited in
the world’s most prestigious museums. From
the 19th century onwards, many artists took
Monet’s example and left their workshops for
the Creuse valley. www.tourismecreuse.com/
THE PÉRIGORD-LIMOUSIN
REGIONAL NATURE PARK
The Périgord-Limousin « PNR » (« Parc Naturel Régional
») is located west of Limoges on the border between
Aquitaine and Limousin.
The park is a mosaic of landscapes with various and
abundant flora and fauna. (Chestnut tree forests, whitewater rivers, valleys…) The park’s goal is to protect the
area’s nature and culture.
There are 16 bat species living in the park, 110 bird
species and several European mink species.
www.parc-naturel-perigord-limousin.fr
press contact
Crédits : ADRT23_J.Damase
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
The 7 Wonders of Limousin
THE MILLEVACHES REGIONAL NATURE
PARK,
The 3.300 sq. metre Millevaches Nature Park is located on the
border between Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne, in the heart
of Limousin. Water is the main natural asset on the Millevaches
Plateau (also known as the « Thousand spring plateau »). Its abundance gave birth to a remarkable flora. It is also known for its otter
population. In fact, the park is symbolized by a friendly otter!
www.pnr-millevaches.fr
Vassivière lake is one of France’s largest lakes (1.000 hectares).
Vassivière Island is one of Limousin’s cultural hotspots with its International Art and Landscape
Centre. It is an outstanding holiday destination for nature lovers, with a 29km lakeside trail as well as
various hiking and cycling trails.
www.lelacdevassiviere.com
press contact
Crédits : A Dang/CRT Limousin
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
Limousin, an artists’ wonderland
Saint-Junien gloves and leather tanning
Saint-Junien is internationally renowned for its leather trade. The town has 3 “Live Heritage Company” glove
factories.
- « La Ganterie de Saint-Junien », founded in 1919, is the town’s oldest factory, still open today. It specializes
in gloves and saddles and was taken over by Hermès in 1998 www.ganterie-saintjunien.fr
- « La Ganterie Morand » was created in 1946 and its traditional know-how dates back to the 11th century. In
1996, it began making gloves for air force pilots, which became the company’s flagship.
www.georges-morand.fr
- « La Ganterie Agnelle » was founded in 1937 and was bought over in 2001 by Sophie Grégoire, the designer’s great-granddaughter.
www.agnelle.com
Saint-Junien gloves are famous worldwide and last year, Madonna bought 10 pairs to wear on stage, while
she was on « holiday » in Limousin !
Did you know? Weston shoes are made in
Limousin!
The Blanchard company, founded in 1891 in Limoges, became a top
range shoemaker in the beginning of the 20th century with the J.M.
WESTON brand. In 1926, Eugène Blanchard created an even more
sophisticated shoe by giving customers the choice in shoe width
(5 widths are available), perfectly tailored to fit every foot. Weston
owes its success to its « home-made » shoes which have become a
symbol of Parisian elegance. www.jmweston.com
Chéri Bibi : designer hats made in the countryside
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In 1987, Marie-Claire Barban founded a hat-making factory in Paris. In 1996, she decided to settle down in
Combressol, in the Correzian countryside.
Chéri Bibi works with famous designers such as Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Sonia Rykiel...
Chéri Bibi also presents two yearly collections. Its hats are sold in about 50 boutiques.
www.cheribibi.fr
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
Tasty Limousin
Limousin beef
Chestnuts
Limousin is symbolized by a chestnut tree, also
known as the "bread tree", since chestnuts were
the main food base in Limousin for centuries.
In the beginning of the 18th century, chestnut trees covered 40% of Limousin's surface.
Nowadays, these trees are mainly found in the
"Pays des Feuillardiers", in Corrèze and in the
south of Haute-Vienne.
Limousin apples
Apple orchards in Limousin date back to the
1950s and over 5.000 hectares are dedicated
to apple farming, and mainly to the rosy and
sweet« golden delicious » variety. In 2004,
Limousin apples were awarded the “AOP”
label (guaranteeing their exceptional quality).
Till this day, they are the only apples in France
to have obtained this label.
Most of Limousin’s orchards are on the «route
de la pomme » (apple route) near Objat, SaintYrieix and Pompadour. Be sure to visit them
and taste their cider and apple juice.
press contact
The best meat in the world! The sturdy reddish
Limousin cow is omnipresent in the region’s
landscape and has become an emblem of
Limousin all over the world. Limousin cows
used to be draught cattle, which explains the
quality of their tasty, tender, exquisite, lean and
juicy meat.
They are regular prize-winners in contests.
Limousin breeders combine quality meat with
environment friendliness. A Limousin cow
spends most of its time grazing the region’s
prairies. The red “prestige blazon” label guarantees the meat’s top quality. Total transparency enables consumers to know exactly
where their meat comes from. Limousin beef is
a worldwide reference.
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
Limousin, a family adventure
Terra Aventura, a Limousin treasure
hunt
Terra Aventura is a fun way to visit Limousin, without
spending a penny.
The concept: a high tech treasure hunt on Limousin’s
backroads and an initiation to geocaching and to our
region’s rich and surprising heritage.
There are 90 caches hidden all over the region: just grab
a GPS or a Smartphone (download the application) and
set off on an exciting quest, for adventurers of all ages.
Season 4 starts in 2014 !
www.terra-aventura.fr
Chabrières wolf park
The Chabrières forest is home to about 30 wolves (black
Alberta wolves, white Mackenzie wolves…) living in
semi-freedom in a 12 hectare park. There used to be
wolves in the Limousin forests. In the Chabrières wolf
park, you can watch them in their natural habitat….
Here, the pens are so large that the wolves behave the
way they would in the great outdoors!
Come have a peak at the animals having their afternoon
meal and discover the wolf museum and its interactive
audioguides (English audioguides available).
www.loups-chabrieres.com
La Borie Sound Gardens, in
Solignac
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La Borie Sound Gardens are located on a 17th century
property. They combine both landscape and «sound»
art. Artists can come here to create and visitors can
discover the landscape by listening to it! Come and
play, learn, and be astonished by nature and the
sound it makes. You’ve never heard anything like it!
www.fondationlaborie.com
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
Events
Brive « Urban Beach » Festival
(from mid-July to early August)
16 days non-stop - 3 headline concerts
Activities and entertainment every day from 2pm to midnight :
kids’activities and swimming pool, inflatable playground, sports
tournaments – beach volleyball and beach rugby... massage
stands, capoeira lessons for beginners, karate, fitness and taï-chi
lessons, sandcastle contests, fashion show, Miss and Mr Beach pageants, concerts…
www.brive-tourisme.com
Crédit
La Route du Cirque Circus festival
(from 15th to 23rd August 2014)
Nexon’s National Circus Arts Pole
« La Route du Cirque » festival is a national reference as
far as contemporary circus creations go. It is one of the
main events organized by Nexon’s « Sirque » and has been
awarded a «Pôle National des Arts du Cirque» (National Pole
of Circus Arts) label. The festival’s programme is rich and
diverse.
www.cirquenexon.com
Pompadour’s Grand Horse Week
(from 14th to 21st September 2014)
Pompadour’s Grand Horse Week is one of the year’s biggest horse
events in Limousin.
The event’s main highlights revolve around competitions and
breeding. The elite of French eventing horses compete here each
year.
www.semaine-pompadour.com
«Aubusson XVI-XXI» is a « pre-exhibit » announcing the future permanent International Tapestry Museum (« Musée de la Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie ») . 6 centuries of tapestry-making are
depicted here : an invitation on a journey through the history of tapestry
from the 16th century to today.
www.cite-tapisserie.fr
press contact
Aubusson XVI-XXI (Until late 2014)
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
How to get here
ACCess
Motorways
• Paris-Limoges : 400 kms (A20)
free from Vierzon)
• Toulouse-Limoges : 300 kms (A20)
(free from Brive-la-Gaillarde)
• Lyon-Limoges : 450 kms (A72 et (A89)
• Clermont-Ferrand-Limoges : 230 kms par (A89)
• Bordeaux-Limoges : 280 kms (A89)
• Nantes-Limoges : 350 kms (A10 et A83)
By train
• Paris Austerlitz-Limoges Bénédictins : 3hrs
• Toulouse-Limoges Bénédictins : 3hrs
• Lille Europe-Limoges Bénédictins par TGV : 5hrs
• Lille Europe-Brive-la-Gaillarde par TGV : 6hrs
By plane
From Limoges (www.aeroportlimoges.com)
• Lyon Saint Exupéry (Hop)
• Paris Orly (Twinjet)
• Londres Stansted, Liverpool, Nottingham East Midlands,
Leeds Bradford, Bristol (Ryanair)
• Southampton (Flybe)
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From Brive-la-Gaillarde (www.aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com)
• Paris Orly (Hop)
• Londres City (City Jet)
• Londres Stanted (Ryanair)
• Amsterdam (City Jet)
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Edith MEYER
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510
M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
information
Web
www.tourismelimousin.com/en
wwww.facebook.com/LimousinNewSensation
PRESS CONTACTS
In London
Edith Meyer
First Public Relations
T: 020 8877 4510 - M: 07557 228 616
E: edith@firstpr.co.uk
In Limousin
Limousin Tourism Board - 30 Cours Gay Lussac C.S. 50095 87003 Limoges cedex 1- France
http://pro.tourismelimousin.com
• Bruno Chanet - 00 33 5 55 11 05 87 - 00 33 6 06 89 76 26 16 - bchanet@crt-limousin.fr
• Isabelle Stierlin - 00 33 5 55 11 05 83 - 00 33 6 27 05 12 12 - istierlin@crt-limousin.fr
In Corrèze
• Régine Chassagne - 00 33 5 55 29 98 73 - rchassagne@cg19.fr
In Creuse
• Béatrice Faury - 00 33 5 55 51 93 28 - beatrice.faury@tourisme-creuse.com
In Haute-Vienne
• Isabelle Robin - 00 33 5 55 79 88 90 - irobin@cdt87.com
English version : S. Lafaye – CRT LIMOUSIN
http://pro.tourismelimousin.com
Limousin Tourism Board
Maison Régionale du Tourisme - 30, cours Gay-Lussac - C.S. 500 95 - 87003 LIMOGES Cedex 1
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