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A taste of summer in Haute-Vienne

10 good reasons to visit in the summer

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A summer in Haute-Vienne, where you can really get into the holiday spirit – that’s what we’re offering you. Here, nature sets the pace!

So, let go and let us guide you 🤗

Simple, authentic things are often the best! So, under the summer sun, we switch to ‘slow mode’ and simply savour the art of living. ☀️

Here are 10 great reasons to spend your summer holiday here. You’re sure to find plenty more – do remember to share them 😉

1. Go for a swim and have fun by the water’s edge

Toes spread out

Just imagine how delighted the children will be when you tell them: “Today it’s shorts and swimsuits – off we go for a day’s swimming at the lake!” 💦

Read a book in the shade of the beech trees or simply have a nap after your picnic whilst listening to the lapping of the water… Take a dip in the fresh water or go fishing on the opposite bank, enjoy the treetop adventure course with the children before tucking into a delicious ice cream, or have a go on the giant zip line over the water with your mates…

Can you picture it already? Sailing, water skiing, basketball courts, beach volleyball, tennis, walking trails and even mountain biking in the heart of the green countryside will also be your playgrounds!

The lakes and ponds in Haute-Vienne offer so many ways to enjoy the summer in all its simplicity, with just one watchword: have fun 😋

2. Get into the spirit of a festival

1001 notes for your summer

Experience a vibrant summer filled with a festival of wonderful moments to share:

  • The Haut Limousin Festival: an event combining musical discovery with heritage. The different styles of music (classical, jazz, world music) bring out the best in the unique venues where the concerts are held (Halle aux grains in Le Dorat, Ferme de Villefavard, Château de Sannat…): we told you it was an original festival!
  • Bandafolie’s in Bessines: the place to be to soak up the atmosphere of the South-West 😉 Numerous French and international bandas, a love of celebration, music and a friendly atmosphere to share.
  • The 1001 Notes Festival: for classical music lovers, this festival offers both connoisseurs and amateurs a comprehensive and enticing programme. Discover many of the artists who have made the festival famous, such as Jean-François Zygel…
  • Multi-pistes Festival: Circus, Music and Visual Arts: a circus like no other – with an ‘S’ – in Nexon. At its annual festival, don’t go looking for lions or other traditional clowns; you won’t find them. Instead, expect thrills, laughter and poetry.
  • Mont Gargan Festival: a celebration of one of the most beautiful historic sites in Haute-Vienne. Performances by folk groups, plenty of entertainment, a local farmers’ market, a gala evening… Don’t forget to take in the view once you reach the summit.
  • Urbaka Festival: Limoges’ annual arts festival, held every June. Immerse yourself in the Urbaka spirit and let yourself be carried away by these artists who reinvent public spaces: squares, streets, parks, lawns, fountains and more.

3. Board the steam train

A timeless journey

A trip aboard the Limousin Steam Train offers a unique way to explore the countryside between Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Eymoutiers and Châteauneuf-Bujaleuf.

You settle into the vintage carriages, watch the Limousin countryside roll by and, for a few hours, travel at the pace of days gone by.

The route also offers the chance to stop off at the Moulin du Got or explore some of the iconic villages of the Monts et Barrages region. A lovely idea for a family day out during the long summer days 😉

4. Treat yourself to some local delicacies at the farmers’ market

Can I borrow your Opinel?

This summer, we’ll be making the most of the market in the evenings too, and we’ll be eating there! It’s a change of pace and atmosphere: relaxation, a friendly atmosphere, and above all, delicious produce to savour 😋

In a relaxed, informal setting, take a seat at a table and sample local specialities in many villages across Haute-Vienne throughout the summer season. The semi-evening farmers’ markets and local producers’ markets are the perfect opportunity to eat locally and meet farmers, market gardeners and other producers of fine food face to face!

Don’t forget your cutlery, and if you’ve left your corkscrew at home, it’ll be a great chance to strike up a conversation with your table neighbours 😉

5. Sleeping in a zome

At Les Insolites des Feuillardiers

Another great reason to visit Haute-Vienne in the summer: sleeping in the heart of nature!
In a zome, for example – and no, that’s not a spelling mistake; it really is a Z… as in Zen 🤗

At Les Insolites des Feuillardiers, you’ll find yourself in a lush green setting, sheltered by a rounded timber-framed structure – a ‘zome’, in other words. Quite original, isn’t it?

Imagine drifting off to sleep to the gentle chirping of our cricket friends. The soft sounds of the Boubon Forest coming to life, a deer or a squirrel passing by – what a lovely way to start the day whilst having breakfast on the terrace!

The ideal spot to recharge your batteries or meditate – take the time to reconnect with nature whilst enjoying the cosy, eco-friendly atmosphere of a zome. You’ll be pampered by your hosts with a discreet breakfast delivery for a gentle wake-up, and the option of a packed lunch. In the heart of the forest, it’s the perfect spot for a stroll, with a walking trail right on your doorstep.

Other unique accommodation options await you throughout the destination, and one thing’s for sure – you’re going to love them 🤩👇🏼

6. Paddle out to meet the kingfisher

On the Vienne

Choose your boat and set off to explore the unspoilt, off-the-beaten-track landscapes of the Vienne!

The water sports centres in Aixe-sur-Vienne and Saint-Victurnien welcome you for half-day or full-day trips to help you discover the Vienne Valley.

Self-guided or guided trips, taster sessions… Being right in the heart of the scenery is often the best way to appreciate it. Summer is the ideal season to enjoy courses with friends.

The best bit? Rafting at sunrise or sunset: the finest moments of summer bathed in the most beautiful light.

Unusual and active, this type of trip is supervised, so you can relax and enjoy the moment. Either way, it’s from the water that you’ll discover the pretty bridges, the mills and the rich local wildlife in a whole new way (and in the cool of the water!).

Come on, let’s take a bet – will you spot the kingfisher before it darts off, stealth mode activated? 😉

7. Explore the shores of Lake Vassivière by mountain bike

A whole host of sensations

A land of outdoor sports – what could be better than a summer in the Limousin region to have a go at mountain biking? 🚴🏼

Head to Vassivière for a tour of the lake in the Pays Monts et Barrages region.

26 km of shoreline, stunning views, and a route featuring varied terrain and scenery: jagged shorelines, woods, hilltops, footbridges on stilts, dykes, lake inlets… The many facets of this unique circuit will have you pedalling with a smile on your face: a real sporting adventure!

8. Teasing the gudgeon

Are they biting?

Fishing for trout in the Tardoire, carp at Lake Sainte-Hélène in Bujaleuf, sharing in Lucie’s delight as she’s just caught her first roach…

Fishing is a pastime that combines relaxation and patience.

Never been fishing before? 🎣

Why not come to Haute-Vienne this summer! This is a real fishing paradise for young and old alike, whether you’re a beginner, an amateur or a keen angler.

The fishing centres offer routes for all levels and activities led by experienced guides to ensure you don’t go home empty-handed! They also lend you everything you need to enjoy this hobby in the best possible conditions.

If you’re a keen angler, you’ll find all the information and equipment you need: fishing accommodation, fishermen’s huts, boat hire and tackle supplies.

9. Enjoy the view from Mont Gargan

Between history and legend

Rising to 731 metres on the south-eastern edge of the Haute-Vienne, Mont Gargan will delight you with its exceptional panoramic views and its natural, cultural and historical treasures.

Heathland, peat bogs, an avenue of centuries-old beech trees and 19th-century religious ruins are all worth seeing as you wander along a nature trail: the ruins of the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel, the devotional fountain, and the memorial stone commemorating the acts of the Resistance.

Mont Gargan has been designated a national natural monument and site. It is also a site of scenic interest within the Millevaches Regional Nature Park in Limousin. Yes, you’ll see cows here, in the land of a thousand springs 😋

An iconic site symbolising the struggle against the Nazi occupiers, the wind that winds its way through the stones still whispers the ‘Song of the Partisans’. The site’s moving atmosphere will also leave you in awe of its beauty at sunset.

10. Go for an ‘Uniqua’ look for the new term

Class with a Limousin touch

Make sure you’re comfortable in your trainers as the new term begins!

To extend the sense of well-being and comfort of your stay in Haute-Vienne, head home with a pair of Uniqua trainers on your feet. Stylish, isn’t it?

Customisable, they’re part of the dress code of the proud Limousin region (like a rooster, of course 😉) and for anyone who loves a unique look.

Treat yourself to something authentic with a 100% Limousin souvenir that’s eco-friendly and socially responsible.

It’s not just trainers enthusiasts who can return from holiday looking stylish. Our designers showcase their talents in many other equally trendy fields, particularly in the luxury sector 👉🏼 Limousin at the forefront of haute couture