Nature is beautiful, take a walk!

The Haute-Vienne is a land of varied landscapes and a rich, unspoilt natural environment. The region is dotted with remarkable natural environments, including peat bogs, dry heather moors, chestnut forests, deciduous forests and meadows, all of which provide refuge for numerous animal species. The département has around thirty natural areas. Haute-Vienne has 75 listed natural sites and 4 classified sites (Tourbières des Dauges, Astroblème de Chassenon, the ancient cemetery of Chalard, and the park and château of Nieul).

If you’re a nature-lover, Haute-Vienne is the place for you. With over 200 hiking trails to choose from, you’ll be able to discover the rolling, varied landscapes of Haute-Vienne. You can also discover ancient villages and traditional architectural heritage.

Come and discover the beauty of Haute-Vienne’s natural spaces. You can enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing and birdwatching. You can also discover registered and protected natural sites such as “Tourbière des Dauges” and the Chassenon astrobleme.

Located in the foothills of the Massif Central, between Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne, the Millevaches Regional Natural Park covers over 3,300 km² and is home to 38,000 inhabitants.

The wild landscapes of this vast plateau include the valleys of Haute Corrèze, around Meymac and Mont Bessou (the highest point of the Limousin at 977 meters altitude), the springs around Millevaches, the Chavanon gorges and the Monédières.

Its territory is made up of remarkable natural environments, alternating peat bogs, dry heather moors, deciduous forests, sloping forests, meadows, gentian, etc. It is home to sensitive animal species: otters, pearl mussels, rare butterflies, linnets, circaet, fario trout, etc., and is a stopover for migratory birds.

It is a vibrant region, a paradise for enjoying a wide range of outdoor activities in nature. A land of rich cultural heritage and “savoir – faire”, it’s a place of discovery: cruises or drives through villages, offering opportunities to delve into history. It’s also a haven for food lovers, with local products from the fertile terroir showcased by various producers, inspiring delicious recipes featured on the menus of restaurants, inns, and “table d’hôtes” in the area. Finally, it’s a land of landscapes dotted with lakes, ponds and rivers.

Spanning 1,800 km² across Haute-Vienne and Dordogne, between Limoges, Périgueux, and Angoulême, the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park offers a preserved landscape and a great variety of scenery to explore at your leisure.

With 2,000 km of hiking trails and a network of thematic sites and paths (such as the trail on honey plants and bees in Maisonnais-sur-Tardoire or the Rosaceae trail in Vayres-les-Roses), visitors can explore remarkable natural sites year-round. These include wetlands, peat bogs, ponds, and limestone grasslands, as well as exceptional locations like the giant Rochechouart meteorite crater. The area is home to diverse and fascinating wildlife, such as hoopoes and dippers.

A land of tradition and craftsmanship (notably chestnut basketry), the Park is also a hub of festivity and conviviality, hosting events like the Mushroom and Nature Days in Bussière-Galant and the Chestnut Days in Dournazac. Numerous museums, churches, and castles open to the public (e.g., Brie, Châlus-Maulmont, Saint-Auvent) and themed routes, such as the Richard the Lionheart trail, showcase the region’s rich and sometimes tumultuous history.

The Limousin gateway towns to the park—Saint-Junien, Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, Aixe-sur-Vienne, and Nexon—are must-visits, celebrated for their unique crafts and traditions (glove-making, madeleines, canoeing, and circus arts). Throughout the year, the Park is alive with celebrations, from the Night of the Owl to the Autumn Feast, the Mushroom and Nature Festival, and events dedicated to chestnuts and veal rearing.

Finally, the Park offers a variety of activities: five thematic audio-guided walking tours (focusing on forests, legends, wildlife, and more), the only greenway in Limousin (Haut de Tardoire), rail biking, treetop adventure courses, 21 heritage sites to visit, and a full calendar of guided outings throughout the year.