DISCOVER CREUSE

If you love nature and hiking, you'll love the authentic, unspoilt setting around Fursac, with panoramic views of the Saint-Goussaud mountains.

North of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Creuse is a jewel in a green setting. Its beautiful countryside has inspired many artists. The breathtaking landscape of the Painters' Valley, a place with a thousand colours, is steeped in the history of the Impressionists who frequented it, including Claude Monet, Armand Guillaumin and Picabia...

Picturesque villages, some on the route to Santiago de Compostela, dot the superb landscapes of the Creuse region: Crozant and its ancient fortress bordered by the meandering river; La Celle-Dunoise; the medieval towns of Bourganeuf and La Souterraine; Aubusson, capital of Tapestry; Masgot, a stonemason's village, and Bénévent-l'Abbaye with its abbey church and scenovision.

In the heart of this unspoilt countryside, the magnificent Vassivière lake - gateway to the Millevaches plateau - with its supervised beaches and water-based activities, and the Monts de Guéret nature sports resort offer a wide range of outdoor activities (canoeing, zip-lining, mountain biking, hiking, trail running, climbing...).

At Sainte-Feyre, to the south of Guéret, you can spot some amazing wildlife, including wolves, at the Chabrières wolf park.

The Creuse also has a rich architectural heritage to offer, with its castles including the must-see medieval castle of Boussac, the Villemonteix castle at Saint-Pardoux-les-Cards with its keep and sentry walk, and the Chezotte castle at Ahun with its moat and English-style garden...

A land of discovery, nature lovers and history buffs will find Creuse an ideal destination for a successful holiday.