According to popular belief, the Millevaches plateau located in the heart of the Limousin gets its name from the Germanic term batz (source), making it “the land of a thousand sources”.
It is a fitting name for this remarkable site that alternates peat bogs, dry heaths, deciduous forests and streams that are at the origin of many rivers like the Creuse, Nézère and the Vienne. It is home to fragile animal species, including otters, and is a resting place for migrating birds. Itis also a paradise for fishermen and hikers.
To the north-west of the plateau, Vassivière Lake offers you an exceptional holiday area and the promise of wonderful discoveries. Its fine sandy beaches and recreational ports overflow with water activities, from sailing to leisurely visits aboard cruise boats. You can also enjoy its majestic forests and explore its secluded trails on foot, horseback, mountain bike or quad.
It is a land of legends that combines contemporary artistic creation (with its centre for contemporary art designed by Aldo Rossi) and local traditions to be discovered along the way. The surface of the lake covers 1000 ha and it possesses 45 km of shoreline.
Half an hour away by car, take the time to discover the town of Aubusson, whose tapestry craft has been placed on the UNESCO list for intangible cultural heritage. Today, its weavers work with the greatest contemporary artists and the Cité de la Tapisserie exhibits priceless masterpieces.
Further north, continue your trip through the “valley of painters”, the “muse” of many a great artist. The exceptional light of the landscapes of the Creuse valley made it a land of inspiration for Impressionist painters and figures in many of the works of the masters (Monet, Corot, Picabia, etc.). Don’t miss the fascinating visits to the Hotel Lépinat, dedicated to the history of the Painters of the Valley (Crozant), and the Centre d’Art-Espace Claude Monet/Rollinat in Fresselines.
Follow us, the editors of Nouvelle-Aquitaine-Tourisme.com as we show you around… our home.
From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Marais Poitevin canals via the wharfs of Bordeaux, the beaches of the Atlantic to the shores of Lake Vassivière near Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is full of fascinating, entertaining stories that will amuse one and all.