Parks

Futuroscope, Poitiers. A virtual reality park, exploring state-of-the-art visual technology in a futuristic architectural environment. Attractions include a magic carpet;cinema, with one of its two screens placed on the floor, creating the sensation of flying over land. The crystal like Kinemax has the biggest screen in Europe. Approximately 2.5 hrs from La Grue.

Parc Bellevue, Bellegarde. Over 70 attractions and rides, aquarium, mini-farm and tourist train, set within 8 hectares in the lovely surroundings of the Limousin countryside. Near Limoges-Bellegarde airport, approximately 45 minutes from La Grue.

The Causee Correzien Aqua-Park, Only 13 kms south of Brive, nr Chasteaux and Lissac. Runs include, kamikaze, toboggan, merry-go-round, swimming pool and whirlpool.

Parc du Reynou. 23 hectares with 400 animals living in semi-freedom.

St Laurent sur Gorre. Landscape and botanical gardens.

Bishop's Palace Museum, Limoges. French style gardens, which date back to 18th C. Restored in 1976 and forming a series of terraces with ornamental flowerbeds, botanical displays with fountains and an orangery.

La Ferme de la Ruchie, Souffrignac. Conservation garden of differing plant varieties, on the borders of the Charente and Dordogne. Includes, for example, hundreds of varieties of tomatoes and many extraordinary gourds, squashes and pumpkins. Normally there is an autumn festival held at the end of September, also an open day on 30 August (the fete of St-Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners). The garden would appeal to gardening enthusiasts.

Parc Naturel Regional Perigord-Limousin. Established over 78 communes of the two departments of the Dordogne and Haute-Vienne covering 180,000 hectares. Celebrates the artisans, foods and nature of the area.

Natural Sights

Monts de Blond Hills. These hills which rise to an altitude of 500m and give panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The granite slopes are heavy with ancient legends and stories of mysterious magical rites. There are many scattered dolmens and sacrificial stones dating from Neolithic and Gallo-Roman times. The boundary between "langue d'Oc" and "langue d'Oil" (Occitan and Old French) runs through the area and is marked by rock piles placed by the Druids, known as the Rochers de Puychard. Some of the most remarkable of these are the Rocher aux Fees(Fairy Stone), Cinturat Menhir a cup-shaped stone engraved with mysterious signs at Arnac and the Pierre Branlante, a rocking stone at Boscartus.

Monts de Ambazac and the Saint-Goussaud Massif. Collectively known as the Grands Monts, the hills stretch for 70 km, are 30 km wide, with their highest point being 701 metres at the Puy de Sauvagnac. Enjoy unspoiled nature in all its splendor. The region is covered with forest, and moor land with golden broom and purple heather, together with simple, friendly villages.

Cascades De Gimel. Three magnificent waterfalls, amongst the best in France, by an historic village.

Gouffre De La Fage Underground caves located on a limestone plateau. They are easily accessible, just half a mile off the Route Nationale 20, the main road from Paris to Toulouse.The caves have two impressive galleries with many formations to include "curtain ranges" cascading down the walls. A large colony of bats has settled in the first gallery.