Gateways to Limousin

Gateways to Limousin
Limoges – Town of art and history
Brive – The Dordogne Valley
Aubusson – Tapestry capital
Tulle – The heart of Corrèze
The Creuse Valley – Crozant and the Impressionists
The Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park
The Millevaches Regional Nature Park – Vassivière Lake
On the way
Limousin’s gateways
This booklet is a travel guide as well as a road book,
an introduction to the region’s multiple cultural, tourism
and patrimonial features. It offers visitors a view of the
hearty, upbeat daily life going on in our countryside
and cities. Limousin is a vast green area on the border
of southwest France where time can easily come to a
stop, allowing you to take a moment to discover one
of its sites, then picks up the pace again as you begin
exploring its countless attractions and activities. Limousin is a kaleidoscope of peacefulness, flavours, endless
green spaces, rivers and lakes and its gateways will
immerse you into a lively, friendly world of colours,
landscapes, cultures, towns and villages.
Ours is an ever-surprising region, brimming with
hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, self-catering cottages,
inns, café and restaurant terraces, museums, ancestral savoir-faire, castles and fortresses, Romanesque
churches, flowery villages, street markets, valleys, rivers
and lakes. Once you have visited Limousin, you will
dream of returning here.
Our doors are always wide open!
Summary
Limoges – Town of art and history.................p.04
Brive la Gaillarde – The Dordogne Valley......p.10
Aubusson – Tapestry capital........................p.16
Tulle – The heart of Corrèze.........................p.20
The Creuse Valley – Crozant and
the Impressionists.......................................p.24
Regional Nature Parks................................p.28
Gourmet Limousin......................................p.32
Outdoor activities......................................p.34
Events.....................................................p.36
Useful information......................................p.38
Limoges
Town of art and history
La Boucherie area: art galleries, restaurants and antique dealers
Information and enquiries
Augustoritum was the first name given to Limoges (meaning
“Augustus’s pathway”). It was founded near the end of 1
B.C. on the river Vienne’s right bank. At the time, it had imposing thermal baths, an amphitheatre, and a vast network
of aqueducts. The patrician homes’ mosaics, painted decors, furniture and lavishness all tribute to the city’s past opulence. Limoges, the region’s capital, boasts a vast array of
historical attractions.
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Limoges is a garden town : The Palais de l’Evêché’s
formal gardens, the enchanting Victor Thuillat park, the
cathedral’s botanical gardens, the L’Aurence animal
park, the rose garden and the fitness trails in the woods
of La Bastide are just a few examples of the town’s
many green areas.
Limoges’s Tourist Office - 12 bd de Fleurus - 87000 Limoges
T. +33 555 344 687
info@limoges-tourisme.com
www.limoges-tourisme.com
GPS 45.830534,1.262999
Limoges I www.tourismelimousin.com
Enamel
Enamel lost its religious realm in the 15th century and began
to be used as house and tableware : yet another rich era for
Limoges productions.
Porcelain
Kaolin (fine white clay) was discovered in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
in 1767 and thus began Limoges’s porcelain industry.
Discover
Limoges’s Arts of Fire
The 1925 International
Decorative Arts Exhibition conferred Limoges
as “The international
porcelain capital”.
Stained-glass
From the beginning of the 20th century, this art form, which blends colour
and light, spread to many public and private edifices, thanks to François
Chigot. His knowledge and love for stained-glass traveled throughout the
world, to places such as Montreal and its Notre Dame basilica.
Enamel – Limoges
J. Seignolles Porcelain – Limoges
The Adrien Dubouché porcelain Museum
The museum’s magnificent Art Deco façade will draw you inside
to discover over 12.000 pieces made of sandstone, earthenware
and porcelain from all over the world. Well worth a visit!
The “Musée des Beaux Arts” - Fine Arts Museum
This public museum, located at the foot of Saint-Etienne cathedral, used to
be an 18th century bishop palace. It is internationally renowned for the
500 enamel pieces it has on display.
The Maison de l’Email - Enamel House
Limousin as seen by artists
“The public gardens sparkled. Victor
Thuillat park with its manmade river, lined
with majestic sequoias, bald-cypresses,
cedar, yew and tulip trees, some dating
back to the 18th century, had a romantic charm about it, with its breathtaking
collection of perennials. In summer, its
wooden benches scattered along the park’s
circular trail, were always occupied by
strollers who had come here for the park’s
invigorating air. The Micheline train from
Poitiers – now called the “TER” – used to
blow its whistle to greet them.”
A permanent and temporary exhibition : watch enamellers in action and
participate in a workshop for beginners. The Enamel House, located on
the Boulevard de la Corderie, is also a training centre.
The Casseaux porcelain kiln
This kiln was built in 1884 and is part of Limousin’s industrial heritage.
Discover the fascinating technological adventure of porcelain.
Franck Linol, La Cinquième Victime,
Geste éditions, 2010, p. 9-10.
© Geste éditions
www.geo.culture-en-limousin.fr
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Limoges
I www.tourismelimousin.com
The pottery kiln
Four à Porcelaine des Casseaux – Limoges
Limoges station dome
Porcelaine J. Seignolles - Limoges
The essentials le
Bénédictins train station
The last monumental station
built in France (historical
monument).
St Etienne Cathedral
And the Saint-Etienne
bridge, over the Vienne.
Time out
Zénith
Concert and show venue
open all year round.
Major events e
Les Halles
Covered market in the
centre of Limoges with a
remarkable architecture.
Limousin’s Aquarium
One of France’s largest
arrays of fish species.
St Lazare and La Porcelaine golf courses
Nature in town
Mini train
Two 18-hole golf courses
just 5 minutes from Limoges
50 sqm of greenery
per inhabitant and over
200.000 trees
St Junien
St Léonard de Noblat
Pôle de Lanaud
A fun way to see
Limoges’s main sites.
Nearby
Lire à Limoges (book festival) I Limoges’s annual Fair I Urbaka street festival I Fête
des Ponts fair I Cuivres en Fête brass band festival I Francophonies (francophone festival) I Puces de la Cité (flea market) I Frairie des Petits ventres (food festival) I Foire
des Saints Innocents (street fair).
Shopping
Luxury or every day shopping for tableware, interior decorating, enamels…
we guarantee you’ll find your fancy!
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Oradour / Glane
A village that was martyred during WWII and
a memorial centre.
www.oradour.org
When it comes to glovemaking, St Junien leaves
nothing to chance.
A medieval village and a
stopover on the Camino de
Santiago de Compostela.
Headquarters of the Limousin
cattle race. A remarkable
20th century site where only
taste matters.
Limoges I www.tourismelimousin.com
Brive-la-Gaillarde
The Dordogne Valley
Georges Brassens Halle (open market) – Brive
Information and enquiries
Gaillarde means « hefty » and Brive earned this name because it is known to be a bold town with many fortifications.
Visit its historical monuments and charming popular neighbourhoods : step into the town’s centre and travel back
through time : 14th to 18th century townhouses, St Libéral chapel (14th c.), St Martin collegiate church (12th c.),
The Echevins Renaissance tower, the Doctrinaires quarters
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(14th c.), Maison Cavaignac (17th c.), the Labenche
Museum (pure Renaissance style) and its 17th century
tapestry collection from the Mortlake Royal Factory,
Edmond Michelet’s house (now a WWII museum), and
much more. Saint Anthony of Padua, who lived in caves
above Brive is the town’s patron saint.
Brive’s Tourist Office - Place du 14 juillet - 19100 Brive-la-Gaillarde
T. +33 (0)555 240 880
service.accueil@brive-tourisme.com
www.brive-tourisme.com
GPS 45.161895,1.533816
Brive-la-Gaillarde I www.tourismelimousin.com
Truffes - Brive open market
Local products - Brive open market
Time out
The essentials le
The Labenche Museum
A unique museum with 17
exhibition rooms and a collection of 17th century Mortlake
tapestries from England.
Colette’s gardens
6 landscaped views, and
a maze into Colette’s life
and work.
Saint Martin church
A historical monument
since 1862.
Major events e
Maison Treilhard
A tower adorned with fine
sculptures and enhanced with
elaborate archways
Wizz’Titi Park
5 tree fun courses
Rugby
Planchetorte golf course
Gouffre de la Fage (cavern)
The Correzian Causse
Every week-end you can
hear the hearts of rugby
fans beating faster!
A 54 hectare 18 hole course
with 2 putting greens and a
12 post practice green.
Nearby
Foire du Livre (book festival) I the Vézère festival (classical music)
Les Orchestrades (young musician festival) I Film festival I Breeding festival
Brive Plage (beach) Festiv’all I Foires grasses (duck and goose fairs).
Shopping
Foires grasses are an ode to goose and duck breeding.
Producers get together 3 or 4 times a year from December to March.
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France’s prettiest villages
The mayor of Collongesla-Rouge founded this
association in 1982.
During hibernation, this is
one of Europe’s largest bat
colonies.
Come discover this area’s
enchanting landscapes.
Brive-la-Gaillarde I www.tourismelimousin.com
A legendary river
Discover
The Dordogne Valley
A river of hope, a
promised land for
fishermen, and a
land of abundance
are what this valley is made of.
From Bort-les-Orgues, the Dordogne skips from dam to
dam, bringing us light on its way. The river becomes nostalgic as it passes through lovely Argentat and Beaulieu,
which used to be gabare boat ports, from which sailors
would set off for Libourne. It is a turbulent, powerful river
with a large fish population and it was a the source of
many dreams and hopes. Do not miss this legendary river
and its endless range of activities.
Argentat
Gabare sur la dordogne - devant le château de Gibanel
The Dordogne gorges
Cycling, mountain-biking, fishing, hiking, going for a walk
or a gabare boat ride…. These activities will enable you to
discover everything the area has to offer.
Limousin as seen by artists
Gabares
These 18m long flat-bottomed barges travelled down the Dordogne river to Libourne carrying 10 to 20 tonnes of merchandise.
Bort-les-Orgues
Bort is located on the border between Limousin and
Auverge. It owes its name to the organ-like phonolite streaks
towering over the town and its castle, château de Val.
www.bort-artense.com - +33 (0)555 960 249
Argentat
With its pebble covered banks, its typical houses with their stone
roofs and front porches, its gabare boats, and its old quarters,
Argentat is a postcard perfect town.
www.tourisme-argentat.com - +33 (0)555 281 605
Philppe Ségéral was born in Brive in 1954 and
he has been living and working between Paris
and Normandy for the last 20 years.
Philippe Ségéral, Barrage 2005
12,2 x 14,3 cm, mine de plomb.
© Philippe Ségéral
Photo : © Philippe Ségéral
www.geo.culture-en-limousin.fr
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Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Beaulieu, on the shores of the Dordogne, is known as
“Limousin’s Riviera”. Its abbey church is renowned for its
gorgeous gate and remarkable tympanum.
www.beaulieu-tourisme.com - +33 (0)555 910 994
Saint-Pierre’s church - Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Brive-la-Gaillarde I www.tourismelimousin.com
Aubusson
The tapestry capital
Tapestry museum - Aubusson
Information and enquiries
Aubusson and Marche tapestry have been renowned
worldwide since the 17th century and are one of Limousin’s
highlights as far as luxury crafts go. Most contemporary productions (old, contemporary, restoration or rug making) are
made-to-order. The tapestry-makers frequently export their
work to clients in the Middle-East and North America.
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For the last 6 centuries Aubusson has been the only
place in the world where all trades involved in tapestrymaking coexist (from the production of wool to tapestry
shops).There are about 30 workshops, galleries and factories able to meet the requirements of designers, visitors
and buyers. Nowadays, Aubusson and Felletin are the
largest private tapestry production spots in Europe.
Aubusson’s Tourist Office - Rue Vieille - 23200 Aubusson
T. +33 (0)555 663 212
tourisme.aubusson@wanadoo.fr
www.ot-aubusson.fr
GPS 45.956983,2.169456
Aubusson I www.tourismelimousin.com
Pont sur la Creuse- Aubusson
Aubusson
Nearby
Bourganeuf
The Zizim tower, the
Electricity Museum
In 2009, Aubusson
tapestry was added
to UNESCO’s list
of intangible world
heritage.
Felletin
Visit the diamond coop, the
wool mill, and the tapestry
factory.
Château de Villemonteix
An important tapestry
collection (16th-18th c.),
woodworks, paintings
and porcelain.
The essentials
The Creuse Tapestry Museum
An ever-evolving exhibition on age-old Aubusson and Felletin
tapestry production.
Time out
The Tapestry Weaver’s House
Discover the history of Ausson tapestry and its traditions in this
beautiful 16th century house, in the heart of Aubusson.
Major events
Horse-carriages
and bicycles
Guided tours in a horse
carriage or on an
electric bike.
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Martin Nadaud’s
House
Discover the remarkable
story of a Creuse mason’s
life, in Soubrebost.
In Aubusson : Temporary exhibitions at the Town Hall I Les Arts
de la Rue (street art festival) I Music festival I “Les nuits noires”
(detective novel event) I Permanent and temporary exhibits at
the Tapestry Museum. A Felletin : « Danses, Musiques et Voix
du Monde » (music and dance festival) I European felt day.
Aubusson I www.tourismelimousin.com
Tulle
The heart of Corrèze
Café terrace in Tulle
Tulle is surrounded by crystal-clear water and greenery : an
ideal environment for relaxing, getting away and for outdoor
activities. Tulle has lived on throughout the centuries. Its history
has shaped the town and it now offers visitors a unique lifestyle with a blend of heritage and culture. It is a lively town with its cathedral overlooking the old quarters, its lovely riverside, its maze of lanes and picturesque
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neighbourhoods, quaint shops, art galleries and workshops (such as the “Poinct de Tulle” Diffuson and Renewal
Association).
Culture is preponderant here. Tulle is the accordion capital and is home to many renowned festivals, first-class
art and crafts exhibitions, a dense and active network
of associations with ambitious, modern projects such as
Tulle’s Media Library.
Information and enquiries
Tulle’s Tourist Office - 45 Quai Aristide Briand - 19000 Tulle
T. +33 (0)555 292 774
oti-tullecoeurdecorreze@orange.fr
www.cc-pays-de-tulle.fr
GPS 45.267849,1.770665
Tulle I www.tourismelimousin.com
Musée du cloître André Mazerie - Tulle
The essentials
Time out
Limousin through
artists’ eyes
The “7 Collines” theatre
Rich and varied theatre,
dance and music productions all year long.
The Cloister Museum
A remarkable collection of
old accordions
The weapon Museum
A rich collection with
unique items.
The Maugein factory
«Tulle is not dull. Its long,
lovely quays, its many
bridges, its “little Corrèze”
which crosses it from one
end to the other just like the
Seine crosses Paris…»
The Coiroux golf course
An 18-hole course and a
9-hole compact course in
Aubazine
A “Living Heritage”
company that designs and
makes accordions.
Nearby
Domaine de Sédières
Outdoor activities and
exhibitions in the castle.
Centre aquarécréatif
Indoor and outdoor pools,
a sun deck, lawn…
Major events
In Tulle : « Les Nuits de Nacre » (accordion festival) I « Ô les chœurs » and « Festival aux Champs » music festivals I International Art Photo festival I l Jazz festival
A Pompadour : Horse races I « Horse Cabaret » I Races etc…
Uzerche
Also known as “Limousin’s
pearl”, Uzerche offers
many cultural attractions
and outdoor activities.
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Pompadour
An Anglo-Arabian horse
town with a national stud
farm, castle and race track.
Gimel-les-Cascades
This impressive waterfall
overlooks the Montane
gorges.
Aubazine
Limousin’s best preserved
Cistercian abbey.
Adeline, Vue de tulle, 1835
Dessin aquarellé, 25,5x34 cm
© Musée Labenche d’art et
d’histoire, Ville de Brive
Photo : © Olivier Thuillas
Tulle I www.tourismelimousin.com
The Creuse Valley
Crozant and its Impressionists
Panorama du Rocher des Fileuses sur la vallee de la Creuse
The Creuse is a remote, lively and authentic river. Its multiple facets are like spring skies, constantly changing.
However, a wind of freedom blows throughout each and
every season, grazing the valley’s many castles, gorges,
rocks and legends.
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Since the 19th century, hundreds of painters have followed
in Claude Monet’s footsteps, leaving their ateliers to set
their up easels along the Creuse river. Impressionism has
found its Eden in Creuse and Crozant’s ruins have become
a pioneering spot for landscape artists.
Information and enquiries
Dun-le-Palestel’s Tourist Office – 81 Grande Rue-23800 Dun le Palestel
T. +33 (0)555 892 461
otpaysdunois@orange.fr
www.inspirez-vos-vacances-en-creuse.com
GPS 45.267849,1.770665
The Creuse Valley I www.tourismelimousin.com
Valdi Circus in La Souterraine
Guéret market place
The essentials
Fresselines – espace
Maurice-Rollinat
Oil paintings, water colours
and pastels by contemporary landscape artists.
Arboretum de la Sédelle
“Remarkable garden” status
awarded in 2004. A wide
variety of tree species from
Europe, Asia and America.
Its back roads are
pieces of heaven
for oil painting and
wandering along
the riverside.
The Claude Monet
(listed) site
A hike that will take you
to the confluence of the 2
Creuse rivers.
Nearby
The Guéret Mounts
Mountain-biking, a wolf park, a giant maze
Major events
La Souterraine (a stopover village) Limousin’s largest historical re-enactment, in Bridiers I “Jazz à la Sout” I The Green
Lizard Festival I The Sédelle Arboretum’s plant days
A medieval village on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Visit St John’s gateway, a vestige of the old ramparts, the
old quarters and the 11th/12th century church.
Shopping and time out
Workshops, art and crafts galleries in Crozant, Fresselines
and Dun-le-Palestel
Limousin as seen by artists
Armand Guillaumin, co-founder of the Impressionist school of painters, discovered Crozant in 1893. This is an 1897 view of the ruins
of Crozant , painted from the coast of St Jallet, and an inscription on
the reverse of the painting indicates it was painted in the morning.
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Armand Guillaumin, La Creuse et les ruines de Crozant, 1897
Huile sur toile, 72 x 99 cm
Legs Bord, 1954 © Musée de Guéret
Photo : © Musée de Guéret
www.geo.culture-en-limousin.fr
The Creuse Valley I www.tourismelimousin.com
Regional Nature Park
Périgord-Limousin
Rochechouart castle
West of Limoges, on the border between Aquitaine and Limousin,
the Périgord-Limousin nature park has a preserved environment, a
compact dimension and a rich heritage. Do not miss the park’s
gateways in Limousin with their know-how, festivals and activities : Saint-Junien (glove-making), Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche (madeleines), Aixe-sur-Vienne (canoeing) and Nexon (circus). Chestnut
tree forests, white water rivers, the Limousin countryside, Périgord
valleys, the limestone plateau where orchids grow in the springtime : this park is a mosaic of surprising landscapes, which are
home to various and abundant flora and fauna species – including 16 bat species, 110 bird species and European minks.
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A land of tradition with original savoir faire (Charentaise
slippers, Nontron knives, chestnut wood crafts and basketmaking…), the park is also a festive place (owl’s night, autumn festival, mushroom and veal fest, chestnut fest, nature
fest…). Museums, churches, castles and the Richard the Lion
Heart trail all tribute to the area’s rich, eventful past : 5 selfguided theme trails (the forest, legends, the park’s fauna…)
Limousin’s only green trail (Haut de Tardoire), a “vélo-rail”
(a pedal car on an old railroad track), a tree fun park, 21
heritage sites and an exciting events calendar.
Information and enquiries
The Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park - Centre administratif - La Barde - 24450 La Coquille
T. +33 (0)553 553 600
info@pnrpl.com
www.parc-naturel-perigord-limousin.fr
GPS 45.267849,1.770665
RNP Périgord - Limousin I www.tourismelimousin.com
Regional Nature Park
Millevaches en Limousin – Vassivière lake
Vassivière lake
Gallo-roman ruins - Les Cars
3.000 sq. metres of moorland and preserved forests : the Vienne
valley, Mount Gargan, the Monédières Massif, Creuse’s high
plateau, Eygurande’s plateau, the higher Corrèze valley and the
streams the park gets its name from : Millevaches (which means a
thousand streams). Its highest peak is Mount Bessou, on the border
of the Auvergne mounts. The park is a nature lover’s paradise,
home to sensitive species : otters, pearl mussels, linnets, harrier
eagles, brown trout and butterflies. It is also a stopover for migrating birds. Its heritage is remarkable : roadside crosses, the Gallo
Roman “Les Cars” ruins, villages, museums in Tarnac, Meymac,
Sarran, Chamberet, Treignac and beyond…
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Vassivière lake : 1.000 hectares, 45 kilometres of shores just
waiting to be discovered by hikers, 8 beaches, numerous water sports, horseback-riding… You can take a taxi boat, a mini
train or walk to the lake’s island to discover the sculpture park
(France’s second largest collection), the flowery meadow, the
farm and animals. This island is unique in France and it blends
in beautifully with the old farming estate, the castle and its
outbuildings and the International Art and Landscape Centre,
a listed 21st century monument. The island lives to the rhythm
of its many events, exhibitions, concerts, its story-telling festival,
bread fest and more.
www.lelacdevassiviere.com T : +33 (0)555 697 670
Information and enquiries
The Millevaches en Limousin Regional Nature Park - Le Bourg - 23340 Gentioux-Pigerolles
+33 (0)555 679 790
info@pnr-millevaches.fr
www.pnr-millevaches.fr
GPS 45.267849,1.770665
RNP Périgord - Limousin I www.tourismelimousin.com
Local flavours – outdoor activities
Authentic Limousin
clafoutis and blueberries
Authentic tastes : Limousin is recognized for its top quality produce
(meat, apples, berries, mushrooms etc…) and cultivates the art of
fine dining. Tradition, quality and taste are the ingredients used to
create mouth-watering recipes. Some foods are given labels that
guarantee their quality and authenticity (“Indication Géographique
Protégée”, “Label Rouge Blason Prestige”, and “Appellation d’Origine Protégée”).
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All these products can be found in our local daily or weekly
markets, our farmers’ markets and in our restaurants.
For further information on our apples, nuts or other local treats,
visit our themed trails and meet Limousin’s producers, visit our
orchards and taste our delicious recipes.
Our food events’ dates can be found on our website :
www.tourismelimousin.com
A few markets and information
• Limoges, from Tuesday to Saturday : Place de la Motte and Place Carnot indoor markets.
Outdoor markets located Place des Bancs, Place des Carmes and Place Haute-Vienne
• Brive la Gaillarde : Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Place du 14 Juillet, Place Charles de
Gaulle and Place de Lattre de Tassigny
www.tourismelimousin.com I www.marches-producteurs.com
Local flavours - outdoor activities I www.tourismelimousin.com
Treasure hunt :
Discover
Outdoor activities in
Limousin
Set out on a journey with family or friends to hunt
for Limousin’s geocaches, using your smartphone
or a hiking GPS (available in participating Tourist
Offices). This modern and fun type of treasure hunt
enables you to combine an outdoor activity with
your ability to solve riddles and reach…
the treasure!
www.geocachinglimousin.com
Limousin is every
hiker’s secret garden, a plentiful land
you can escape to.
Get ready for a great
adventure!
Hiking
Long or short hikes,
interpretation trails.
Cycling and
Mountain-biking
Discover our treasures
behind every bend.
Horseback-riding
Pony and horse ride,
carriages etc…
Golf
10 courses (9 to 18
holes) for every golfers
Fishing
Find freedom on our
rivers and lakes.
Canoeing
Gartempe, Dordogne,
Vézère, Vienne… get
paddling!
34 I more informations +33 555 110 609 I www.tourismelimousin.com
Local flavours - outdoor activities I www.tourismelimousin.com
Events calendar
Authentic Limousin
 Nature sites
 Heritage sites
 Outdoor activities
 Culture and
 Know-how
 Fine food
creation
 3 to 7 August
Felletin’s Worldwide Dance, Music and
Vocal festival
An annual 5-day celebration with
concerts and culture in a cosy, folk festival
atmosphere.
www.portesdumonde.net
+33 (0)555 664 300
 16 to 26 August
Brive’s “Orchestrades Universelles”
800 young musicians (aged 10 to 25),
80 concerts and 70 other attractions with
a grand finale including all the festival’s
musicians.
www.orchestrades.com
+33 478 358 714
 13 and 14 August
Raid de la licorne
400 raiders gather in Aubusson’s preserved and welcoming environment for a 2
day raid.
www.raid-de-la-licorne.fr
 November
Brive’s book fair
A 3-day event with 500 authors, 100
publishers and 100,000 visitors
www.foiredulivre.net
+33 (0)555 181 841
 10 and 11 September
The Oxygen Cup in the Guéret Mounts
A 6 or 10 hour mountain-biking and
hiking competition .
www.creuse-oxygene.com
+33 (0)555 619 790
In and around Tulle
Traditional village fairs, summer concerts and world-class gatherings are just a few examples of all year outing ideas in Limousin.
In and around Limoges
 Late March
“Lire à Limoges“ book fair
60,000 visitors and 250 authors gather
every year for this book festival, which is
among France’s 10 largest. It is a popular
literary event and has attractions for readers of all ages.
www.ville-limoges.fr
+33 (0)555 456 000
 11 and 12 June
“Les gendarmes et les voleurs de temps“
race in Ambazac
A 32 and a 64 km race (« the police and
thieves race ») through splendid woods
and past lakes and ponds as well as
several other attractions.
www.gendarmes-et-voleurs.com
+33 (0)555 040 094
 june
Urbaka
Live street performances set Limoges
ablaze for 4 days and nights.
www.urbaka.com
+33 (0)555 320 842
 Late June/early July
Bellac’s 58th National Festival
Plays, films and music in author Jean
Giraudoux’s hometown.
www.theatre-du-cloitre.fr
+33 (0)555 608 761
 18 to 24 July
“Le ronde des chefs” food fest
at the Lanaud Pole in Boisseuil
Prestigious dinners, attractions, a giant
picnic and a farmers’ market.
www.poledelanaud.com
+33 (0)555 064 600
 13 to 17 July
Bessines-sur-Gartempe’s “Bandafolies”
15th brass festival
15 music companies (nearly 400 musicians) unite to share “the best music in the
best atmosphere”, which is the Bandas de
Bessines slogan.
www.bandafolies.com
+33 (0)555 760 928
36
 Late July to mid-August
The “Haut-Limousin” festival
Classical music, ballet, rehearsals and
exhibitions in original venues in Northern
Haute-Vienne enabling visitors to discover
the area’s architectural heritage (including
the Villefavard farm).
festivalhautlimousin.assoc.pagespro-orange.fr
+33 (0)555 602 932
 July/August
Feytiat’s International Pastel Festival
The number one pastel art festival with
exhibitions and art classes.
www.festivaldupastel.com
+33 (0)555 484 318
 Mid-August
Nexon’s “Route du Sirque”
A 9-day contemporary circus festival in the
castle’s park in Nexon.
www.cirquenexon.com
+33 (0)555 581 079
A gathering with top media cartoonists
and their fierce satirical ways!
www.st-just.com
+33 (0)555 092 670
 21 octobre
The “Frairie des Petits Ventres” food fair.
A traditional tribute celebrating Limousin’s
produce, cooked by the city’s tripe and
offal butchers.
+33 (0)555 344 687
In and around Aubusson
 29 April to 1 May
Felletin’s 2nd European Felt festival
3 days and over 8,000 visitors dedicated
to learning about the creative aspect of felt.
www.felletin-tourisme.fr
www.histoiredelaines.fr
+33 (0)555 665 460
 16 to 19 August
The “Tour du Limousin”
A milestone race for all cyclists getting
ready for the world cycling championships
with 4 legs throughout the region.
www.tourdulimousin.com
+33 (0)555 777 700
 12 June
“Enjambée Creusoise“
The areas around Bourganeuf and
Vassivière become hiking trails where you
can discover the region’s landscapes and
heritage sites. A choice of attractions, a
large local produce and crafts market.
www.lou-chami.com
+33 (0)555 549 510
 10 and 11 September
Légend’Air
An air show at Saint-Junien’s airfield, with
about 40 collectors’ planes (each year,
nearly half of these aircrafts are renewed).
legendairlimousin.blogspot.com
+33 676 609 087 or +33 614 244 358
 July-August
“Musique classique au cœur de la tapisserie“
A chamber music festival in stunning
places in and around Aubusson.
www.orgue-aubusson.org
 29 septembre / 8 octobre
Limousin’s “Francophonies” festival
A forum that has been gathering a variety
of artists involved in theatre from Frenchspeaking countries for the past 26 years.
This festival features plays, dances, plastic
arts, visual arts, music and writing in French.
www.lesfrancophonies.com
+33 (0)555 109 010
 Late September to early October
Saint-Just-le Martel’s International Media
and Humoristic Drawing festival
 July-August
“Voix d’été en Creuse“ festival
Vocal concerts in chapels, Romanesque abbeys
and gardens in and around Guéret.
www.adiam.creuse.com
+33 (0)555 521 429
or +33 544 302 455
 July-August
“Les Sortilèges de la Pleine Lune“
Go on a hike in the Guéret Mounts and
listen to tales in the midst of the Chabrières
wolf park.
www.ot-gueret.fr
+33 (0)555 521 429
 7 to 11 September
Forest Follies in the Chabrières Forest
A tree and forest festival with activities,
workshops, exhibitions, conferences
and shows.
www.creuse-oxygene.com
+33 (0)555 619 790
In and around Brive and
the Dordogne Valley
 8 May
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne’s strawberry fair
A market, a gigantic strawberry pie and
activities.
www.fetedelafraise-beaulieu.fr
+33 (0)555 911 131
 1 July to 24 August
The Vézère festival
A music, opera and vocal festival along the
Vézère river in prestigious Corrèze venues.
www.festival-vezere.com
+33 (0)555 232 509
 June to September
“Un été à Sédières”
A summer festival with emerging or experienced artists and creators.
www.sedieres.fr
+33 (0)555 277 640
 12 to 18 September
“Grande semaine de Pompadour”
Tournaments, stallion, mare and colt shows,
obstacle races, dressage and cross-country
races in and around the National Stud farm
and race track. An auction takes place as
well as a local produce market.
www.semaine-pompadour.com
+33 (0)555 971 100
 September
“Les Nuits de Nacre”
Accordion festival in Tulle, the accordion
capital.
www.nuitsdenacre.com
+33 (0)555 265 961
In and around
Périgord-Limousin Regional
Nature Park
 2011
International forest year
Many activities including guided tours and
a chestnut exhibition.
www.parc-naturel-perigord-limousin.fr
+33 553 553 600
 Last weekend in October
Chestnut fair
www.montsdechalus.fr
+33 (0)555 782 929
In and around
the Millevaches – Lac de
Vassivière Regional
Nature Park
 20 to 28 August
Vassivière’s multicultural story-telling
festival “Paroles de Conteurs”
Professional and aficionado storytellers
gather at the foot of Vassivière island’s
Story Tree.
www.paroles-conteurs.org
+33 (0)555 645 777
See www.tourismelimousin.com
or phone +33 (0)555 110 609 for a
full up-to-date list of things to do.
 Late October
“Ô les Chœurs“
Bands, singers, films, plays and other art
forms in venues in and around Tulle, every
autumn.
www.elizabethmydear.org
www.deslendemainsquichantent.org
+33 (0)555 260 950
more informations : 00 33 555 110 609 l www.tourismelimousin.com
GETTING TO LIMOUSIN
FURTHER INFORMATION
By PLANE
The gateways to Limousin invite you to discover our
region’s many other facets.
From/to Limoges www.aeroportlimoges.com
 Paris-Orly (Air Linair)
 Lyon Saint-Exupéry (Air France)
 Nice (Air France) : seasonal flights
 Figari (Régional Airlines) : seasonal flights
 London Stansted, Liverpool, Nottingham East Midland, Leeds and Bradford (Ryanair)
 Southampton, Newcastle (Flybe)
By car
 Paris-Limoges : 400 km / 249 miles (A20 motorway)
 Toulouse-Limoges : 300 km / 86 miles (A20)
 Lyon-Limoges : 420 km / 261 miles (A72 + A89)
 Clermont-Ferrand-Limoges : 200 km / 124 miles (A89)
 Bordeaux-Limoges : 220 km / 137 miles (A89)
 Nantes-Limoges : 311 km / 193 miles
By TRAIN
IN LIMOUSIN
The Limousin Regional Tourism Board
30 cours Gay-Lussac – C.S. 500 95
87003 Limoges cedex 1
T. +33 (0)555 110 609 – Fax : +33 (0)555 050 756
www.tourismelimousin.com
e-mail : tourisme@crt-limousin.fr
From/to Brive-la-Gaillarde www.aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com
 Paris-Orly (Air Linair)
 London City (Cityjet)
 Manchester (Jet2.com)
 Paris Austerlitz - Limoges Bénédictins : 3h00
 Toulouse - Limoges Bénédictins : 3h00
 Lille Europe - Limoges Bénédictins by TGV : 5h00
 Lille Europe - Brive by TGV : 6h00
 Brussels-midi - Limoges Bénédictins : 6h00 (via Paris or Lille)
The Corrèze Tourism Development Agency
45, quai Aristide Briand - 19000 Tulle
T. +33 (0)555 299 878 - Fax : +33 (0)555 299 879
www.vacances-en-correze.net
e-mail : correzetourisme@cg19.fr
The Creuse Tourism Development Agency
9 Avenue Fayolle - B.P 243 - 23005 Guéret cedex
T. +33 (0)555 519 323 - Fax : +33 (0)555 510 520
www.tourisme-creuse.com
e-mail : contact@tourisme-creuse.com
to PARIS and CHÂTEAUROUX
to MONTLUÇON and A71
to POITIERS
A20
to BORDEAUX
and ANGOULÊME
The Haute-Vienne Tourism Board
4 place Denis Dussoubs - 87000 Limoges
T. +33 (0)555 790 404 - Fax : +33 (0)555 797 947
www.tourisme-hautevienne.com
e-mail : infotourisme@cdt87.com
A71
VALLÉE
DE LA CREUSE
Limousin as seen by artists
AUBUSSON
Géo-culture
geo.culture-en-limousin.fr
LIMOGES
Lac de
Vassivière
AT PARIS
to CLERMONT-FERRAND
IN GERMANY
LIM – Maison de Limoges et du Limousin
Gustavstrasse 31 – 90762 Fürth
T. +49 911 977 98 999
www.fuerth.de/lim
THE ATOUT FRANCE NETWORK
United Kingdom
T. 090 68 244 123 (60p/min at all times)
http://uk.franceguide.com
Ireland
T. 15 60 235 235 (95 cts/min)
http://ie.franceguide.com
USA
http://us.franceguide.com
Canada
514-876-9881
http://ca.franceguide.com
Australia
61 (0)2 9231 5244
http://au.franceguide.comt
USEFUL INFORMATION GUIDES
FREE BROCHURES
 Tourist map
 Prestige brochure
Other guides and brochures are available at :
www.tourismelimousin.com
Mison du Limousin
30 rue Caumartin – 75009 Paris
T. +33 140 070 467
www.maisondulimousin.com
NORVÈGE
A89
Oslo
TULLE
Stockholm
to BORDEAUX
and PÉRIGUEUX
A89
Front cover : Collonges-la-Rouge / back cover : Lac du Causse
SUÈDE
VALLÉE
DE LA DORDOGNE
BROCHURE EDITED BY
DANEMARK
BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE
Copenhague
Dublin
A20
IRLANDE
PAYS-BAS
GRANDEBRETAGNE
to TOULOUSE and CAHORS
POLOGNE
Berlin
Amsterdam
Londres
ALLEMAGNE
Bruxelles
Lille
Varsovie
BELGIQUE
Luxembourg
Paris
Nantes
Toulouse
Barcelone
PORTUGAL
Madrid
Lisbonne
38
ESPAGNE
Vienne
AUTRICHE
LIMOUSIN
Limoges
RÉPUBLIQUE
TCHÈQUE
Bratislava
Strasbourg
FRANCE
Bordeaux
Prague
LUXEMBOURG
Bern
ClermontFerrand
SLOVÉNIE
SUISSE
Lyon
Ljubljana
Milan
Marseille
Budapest
HONGRIE
The Limousin Tourism Board
30 cours Gay-Lussac – C.S. 500 95
87003 Limoges cedex 1
Editorial and graphic conception
Point Carré Communication - www.pointcarre.net
Printing
Fabrègue - 87500 Saint-Yrieix
Zagreb
CROATIE
Sarajevo
BOSNIE-H. SERBE
ITALIE
Photo credits
Comité Régional du Tourisme du Limousin/Mélanie
Mons, ADT Corrèze, ADRT Creuse, Office de tourisme de
Limoges, Office de tourisme de Brive-la-Gaillarde, Office
de tourisme de Felletin, Office de tourisme d’Aubusson,
PNR Périgord-Limousin, J.M. Péricat, J.L. Kokel, Aquarium
du Limousin, R. Duvignau, Laetis, J.P. Gratien, Point Carré,
Gouffre de la Fage, Wizz’titi parc, Ville d’Aubusson, Ville
de Tulle, Les Amis de Martin Nadaud, P. Soissons, F. Barrat-Arnal, L. Olivier, P. Pecher, Musée des Armes de Tulle, J.
Damase, J.F. Amelot, Agence Marco Polo, J. Desmaison.
Rome
Despite the care taken in producing this document, no liability can be accepted by the
Limousin Regional Tourism Board nor by any of the institutions, companies, tourist offices
or organizations mentioned. All photographs and information are given as indicative or
illustrative information and have no contractual force in law.
Limousin subscribes to the Ecofolio Charter and aims
to preserve the environment. This document is made
of paper manufactured from sustainably managed
forests in agreement with environmental standards, by
a regional printer who has been rewarded with the
Imprim’Vert label.