Discover the Limousin – an area of glorious and unspoiled countryside sprinkled with picturesque villages, historic castles, medieval churches, forests and waterways says Janine Marsh.
Limousin, in the centre of France, is part of the super region Nouvelle Aquitaine and has three departments – Haute Vienne (87), Creuse (23) and Corrèze (19). All of them share an outstanding natural landscape of woodlands, green pastures and deep valleys. And all of them offer a laidback rural lifestyle.
The main industry is farming – potatoes, cattle, including Charolais and Limousin, and wood. A roll-out of high-speed internet in the area, along with Government support for the area to be transformed into a tech centre, has brought an increase in buyers to what is the least populated region (circa 742k) in mainland France.
Limousin benefits from long hot summers and clearly defined seasons and the region is best known to holidaymakers for its year-round outdoor activities including cycling, hiking and plenty of water sports.
It’s also one of the best areas of France for affordable property with 106 towns and 747 municipalities. There are excellent transport links, the ferry port at Ouistreham near Caen is around 5 hours’ drive, and Limoges Airport caters for international flights, plus further afield, airports in Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Clermont-Ferrand). For those who want to live the good life but also to earn an income, there are lots of opportunities to run a B&B or gÎte and plenty of properties with barns that can be used as workshops.
The area benefits from great weather and has the history and leisure activities of the Dordogne and Languedoc – but it’s a lot cheaper, with some of the lowest property prices in France. It’s an area that offers a relaxed lifestyle, it’s like stepping back to a gentler time, where no-one locks their doors, and the most important decision of the day is what to have for lunch!
Corrèze
Corrèze is home to 5 Plus Beaux Villages including Collonges-la-Rouges, famous for its red brick and red roof buildings, and Ségur-le-Chateau which is especially lovely with its 12th century chateau, a river running through the medieval village and in July and August, a weekly night-time farmers market with music and dancing. Close by Coussac-Bonneval, which has a lovely chateau is popular with both second home buyers and those who want to make a permanent move. It ticks a lot of boxes for those wanting village life, a bakery and bar, great views and beautiful stone-built houses. And in nearby Arnac Pompadour, horse racing takes place throughout the summer months, while 14th July sees one of the department’s festival highlights with a firework display over the chateau once lived in by Louis XV’s mistress Madame Pompadour.
From Corrèze you can go skiing in the mountains, go to the beach, have a day out in Spain – or Paris, and all of them within a morning’s drive. The area is close to the A20 autoroute to Limoges and offers easy accessibility to the airport. There’s a huge range of house styles, plus you get more for your money than in neighbouring Dordogne.
Creuse
The Creuse department is deal for those wanting a tranquil lifestyle. It’s also the cheapest department in Nouvelle Aquitaine, but don’t let that fool you into writing it off. The beauty of the area inspired impressionist painters including Monet, and it’s famous for its 600-year-old tradition of tapestry weaving, especially in the town of Aubusson. Creuse is a land of glorious countryside, castles, medieval churches, forests and waterways including Lac de Vassivière, one of the biggest lakes in France. There are many beautiful old towns like Felletin, and Chambon-sur-Voueize which has a popular weekly market. And there are lots of village festivals with music, food and drinks, brocantes and markets. Trains from La Souterraine take just 2.5 hours to reach Paris.
Haute-Vienne
Limousin’s capital is the lovely city of Limoges, just 3.5 hours from Paris by train. It’s world famous for its porcelain production and has a beautiful medieval centre filled with charming restaurants and cafés. Limoges airport has regular flights to several airports in the UK as well as within France and Europe.
This department offers both city living as well as a rural lifestyle. The Périgord-Limousin Natural Regional Park straddles Haute-Vienne and neighbouring Dordogne. Popular towns include medieval Bellac, Châlus, once home to King Richard the Lionheart, and historic Rochechouart.
More on Limousin
Discover the route of Richard the Lionheart
Expert guide to property in Correze and Uzerche
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
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