Located in the Limousin region, the departement of Creuse is famous for the tapestries that have been produced here throughout French history. Many of the best examples remained in the region and can now be seen by visitors in local castles, country houses, churches and museums. A lot of the region is open spaces and woodland, and is an ideal destination for those who enjoy doing their exploring on foot.
The main town of Gueret is only a small community, though it boasts one of the finest museum collections outside of Paris in its Art and Archaeology Museum. As well as some fine examples of local tapestries, there are also ancient sculptures and Renaissance paintings while the whole building is surrounded by a pleasant park. Kids that have been dragged round the museum by their parents can let off some steam in one of the world's largest plant mazes which can be found in the Mounts Gueret gardens. More active families may prefer to visit the Courtille leisure park where a range of sporting activities, everything from tennis lessons to canoeing, is available.
Art lovers don't have to travel far to find some more unusual exhibits than the usual museum pieces. The village church in Sous-Parat is a modern building which has been decorated with bright frescoes and vivid stained glass windows, while the nearby tiny village of Masgot is one of the most visited communities in the area because of the huge number of granite sculptures found on the houses and in the street, many dating from the 19th century. The tapestries are still the biggest attraction in Creuse, however, with many of the best examples in the town of Aubusson, including those in the tapestry-maker's house, which recreates the workshop of a 16th century craftsman, and the tapestry museum.
Walkers and mountain bikers will enjoy the network of paths in the Chebrieres forest, just south of Gueret. There is even an equestrian centre nearby, where you can sign up for one day or half day riding tours of the countryside. One of the most intriguing aspects of this particular forest is that it is also home to a wolf park, where family groups of the animals can be observed while they live in large enclosures. The Vassiviere lake in the far east of the region offers the usual water sports activities, such as sailing, fishing and canoeing and is also home to some beaches; and with Creuse being right in the middle of France, far from the ocean, this could be the closest tourists get to enjoying an outdoor swim!
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Creuse? Then below is a selection of gites in Creuse and villas in Creuse that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
