Towns in the area

Holiday Gite Rental, Accommodation in Haute Vienne Limousin France "LA GRUE"

Towns in the area

Bellac: 40 Km. to the North of Limoges. Founded during the late middle ages and surrounded by ramparts. Today, you can still see the 12th C church of Notre-Dame. The town is situated on a spur overlooking the valley of the Vincou which flows into the river Gartempe. The poet and playwright, Jean Giraudoux was born here, the place of his birth now being a museum. He described Bellac and surrounding area as,a countryside of streams and hills, a patchwork of fields and chestnut woods. In July, every year, a festival of theater, music and dance commemorates his life. The town has three weekly markets, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Limoges Cathedral

Limoges

Limoges: a 2000-year-old city. It is a city with two hearts. The Cite grew up around the cathedral on a plateau overlooking the river Vienne. The Chateau, now the current commercial center of the city, grew up around the Abbey of St-Martial on an adjacent rise. Its history reflected in the monuments still standing. The two cities were not united until the French Revolution. The main railway station is one of the most extraordinary in France, with a vast entrance hall, multiple domes and an impressive campanile clock tower. The quaint quarter of the Ancestral Guild of Butchers was established in the 13th C near the highest point of the town. Six families who still have an involvement controlled the entire trade. There is a festival in this area every year. In the 1770's, when kaolin was discovered nearby, Limoges became famous for its porcelain, Lalique perhaps being one of the best-known artists. Gold and silversmith monks began decorating objects with enamel during the 10th C, one of their techniques becoming a specialty of Limoges workshops by the 12th C. Enamellers continue to experiment with new and adventurous forms. The city and the surrounding region of Limousin was an area of intense resistance activity during World War II and suffered greatly from numerous deportations and massacres in the region.

Poitiers: is a modern, dynamic regional capital, with a rich architectural heritage at its center. It is the area of three of the greatest battles in French history and also had two periods of English rule. The Wars of Religions left the town in ruins and it was the advent of the late 19th C, which brought about major development.

Angouleme: a thriving industrial center, dominated by the 12th C Cathedral St-Pierre. The ramparts offer a long bracing walk with views over the Charente valley. Also a museum and an annual festival for comic art in the city.

Bordeaux: is built on a curve of the river Garonne. It has been a major port for centuries and is the fifth largest town in France. Along the waterfront can be seen a long sweep of elegant classical facades, originally built to mask the medieval slums which lay behind. Fashionable boutiques and famous cafes can be found in the triangle formed by Cours de I'Intendance, Cours Clemenceau and Allees de Tourny. Department stores line the pedestrianised streets of rue Ste-Catherine and Port-Dijeaux. Bordeaux is also well known for its wine. The region produces over 44 million cases per year, the chateau being at the heart of the quality system. Some chateaux welcome visitors for wine tasting as well as buying. The city is a 3 hr drive from Le Grue.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle: is an attractive seaside town, approximately 3 hrs from La Grue, in the Charente-Maritime area. It boasts a lovely old harbour surrounded by stately buildings and is the biggest yachting center on France's Atlantic coast. The town itself is a pleasant area of cobbled streets with many arcades.

Videix. Large lake here with two man made beaches, 3 or 4 eating places some British run, boat hire, swimming etc. only 10 minutes from La Grue.

Brantome. Lovely village set up for the tourist market, river walks canoeing, craft shops, glass works etc.

Confolens, a small medieval city on the confluence of the rivers Vienne and the Goire. Offers many architectural gems. Every year, in August, Confolens and the Charente-Limousin host an international festival of song and dance, known as Danses et Musiques du Monde

St Germain-de-Confolens with its imposing feudal castle ruins, the village and area being a painter's paradise.

Rochechouart

Rochechouart, a very attractive chateaux town with a small artificial beach area at the lake. The village church has an unusual twisted spire and a walk through the streets will provide sight of medieval and Renaissance elements decorating the facades of several houses.

Lesterps with an Ancient Abbey boasting a 10th C Bell tower, which is unique in France.

Brigueuil, an ancient fortified village with 12th C town gates.

Mortemart, amongst the 130 most beautiful villages in France and one of 6 in Limousin, located at the foot of the Monts de Blond.

Uzerche. Old fortress town standing on river, town walk, fortified gateways, 12C church, an interesting old village.

Uzerche