Things to see and do Limousin

In the heart of the village, the first artist's house, furnished as a creusoise house in the th century, opens its doors to visitors. And to discover this art, exhibitions, animations, as well as beginners'initiation or development courses are offered to any audience. Groups are allowed all year on reservation and can enjoy a guided tour with a stone size (€ 4,50).

Gabriel Chabrat, born in 1936 in Felletin, lives in Sous-Pärsat. He created the paintings and stained glass windows of the church between 1986 and 1990. Since 1977, he has been exhibiting his works in the painting space. This visit allows you to discover an amazing artist. His work won't leave you indifferent. The colours burst on the canvas, in a destructured and dreamlike universe. The college of Chénerailles, where Gabriel Chabrat taught, has several tapestries.

Direction the giant labyrinth of the Monts Mountains! 4,5 kilometres of aisles have been built over a space of more than two hectares, guaranteeing both small and a fun time. Did you not feel your physical effort? Yet it is an hour that you walk: this is a sufficient daily expenditure. How, how to spend by fun is possible, and it's even very easy!

Tariff: € 6,50 per adult and € 4,50 per child (possibility to stay the full day).

Distance: 4,5 km.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: very easy.

This is what we call here the "Way that speaks". In order to add an instructive dimension to your outdoor walk, the Community of Communes Portes de la Creuse en Marche has come up with this original idea: to make you discover the life of the old-time Creuse washers, with a helmet on your ears. As you go along, follow the Petit Battoir and listen to the explanations of the places you encounter. A way to make you visit at your own pace the cultural heritage of the village and its surroundings!

Rate: free, on presentation of an identity document and signature of a loan agreement

Duration: variable; 30 minutes of audio recording.

Difficulty: medium.

Beaconing: Small Beater.

The talking path can be downloaded from www.portesdelacreuseenmarche.fr. There are also topo-guides which are distributed free of charge in all the town halls of the communities of communes.

Built in the th century, the castle of Saint-Maixant impresses with its powerful structure and granite walls. The fortress plan is faithful to the local use of high-marchois: a quadrilateral whose eastern facade is flanked by two round towers while the western facade presents a saillie quadrangular tower. The castle has long depended on the Châtellenie of Aubusson, a town only a few kilometres away. It is also associated with the name of La Roche Aymon, one of the representatives, Philibert, made great noise in the th century. Nicknamed "The great devil of Saint-Maixant", he had, among other cruel facts, made his wife strangle in that same castle.

St. John Baptiste Chapel, known as La-Croix-au-Bost, is the only remaining element of the hospital tissue that once stood. Built in the 1984 th century, it presents impressive murals dating back to the second half of the th century, which in made the subject of classification in Historical monuments. There are decorative elements, apostles but also, and in fragmentary scenes, Adam and Eve or even the old Vieillards of Revelation. In the same place, the th century master-altar in polychrome carved wood also takes the visitor's attention. One point must be stressed, however: This little treasure remains closed and, to discover it, we must meet the charming old lady who lives next door, only in the hamlet to hold the key.

Located on a private property in Chaupeyre, on the town of Sermur, this laundry is worth a visit. It reveals itself to the passers-by in a green setting, at the foot of a granite cluster and surprises by its beautiful size. This is the occasion of a walk in the green countryside. Sermur is full of treasures and, after a visit to the washing house, St. Roch's Oratory and the medieval tower are waiting for walkers.

First, follow the signs indicating the direction of the tower of Sermur. Then the paths separate. The one leading to St. Roch's oratory goes into the basements, along the fields lined with granite walls. Each year, in August, Sermur celebrates Saint Roch; a procession is then organised, so that the saint brings to the country a proper humidity during the year.

Dominating the Combraille tower, the tower of Sermur, probably high in the 721 th century, was one of the elements of the castle that stood at metres above sea level. In 1357, when the English attacked - the complex was in a strategic location since Sermur was then one of the fiefdoms of the Counts of Auvergne - the whole was partially destroyed, between 1390 and 1410. Today it remains only the remains of this square tower of seven metres side.

We have to take the route of the two valleys, those of La and Voueize, at the exit of Pywjack-la-Nonière. After flowing through the Creusoise countryside and crossing the Voueize on a narrow bridge, you go to the Tardes and cascades of Bonlieu, so named because they adjacent the Cistercian Abbey which bears this name and depended on it once. It is a green hole, a place where the time seems suspended and where one is happy to dwell, to meditate a little.

Founded in 1149, Aubepierre Abbey is a direct creation of the order of Cîteaux. However, as much as the other abbeys of the territory marchois by various wars, Aubepierre Abbey had a much shorter activity time than the other Cistercian settlements in the country. In 1569, it was completely destroyed by a Protestant army. Today, it is only a few vestiges that we see in Méasnes. What remains, however, is the traces of lawn upgrading. Notice to the curious so!

No doubt the charm of the village owes much to its Romanesque church, built in the th century and, as often the churches of Limousin, a wall wall. Carved in local granite, the building has a unique nave and flat bedside. Inside, murals of the Gothic period were preserved, updated in the 1980 s. Dated th and th centuries, they present, among other reasons, a Christ in glory and reproductions of architecturés elements.

Left in the most total abandonment since the 1993 th century, he now finds his letters of nobility thanks to the work and rehabilitation carried out since by the youth and culture house in partnership with the municipality (owner of the site), Historical Monuments, the regional service of archaeology. The enclosure is a reinforced irrégulier of three round towers. In circular form, the three-storey dungeon dominates with its-metre height. Free entry all year.

Located near 1 km northwest of the vicus or Las Tours sods, residence of the lords, they dates from the th century. This château castle with two artificial mounds is surrounded by ditches. This seigneury reaches the rank of vicomté in the 80 th century, to become châtellenie in the th century and extend its domination over nearly parishes.

It stretches over 50 ha and dates back to the Gallo era. Excavations have revealed the existence of habitat buildings, public buildings such as temples and a thermal sector. Long routes are identified as that from Lyon to Poitiers.

Parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin. The crypt is what remains of a primitive place of worship. The construction extends from 1019 to 1220, both Romanesque and Gothic. Notice the high relief on the southern portal representing the Virgin to the Child. Note two paintings, La Virgin surrounded by a angels concert of Pieter van Mol (1512 th century) and a copy of a fresco executed by Raphaël in at the Vatican on the initiative of Pope Jules II. There are beautiful sculptures. In the course of the work.

La Souterraine, located in the Pays Sostranien region, has a tourist office where visitors can obtain information on activities, tours, accommodation and restaurants in the area. The tourist office team is made up of Françoise, Jeanne, David and Lionel, who are on hand to help visitors with any queries they may have. Contact details for the tourist office are: 2 Place de la Gare, 23300 La Souterraine, telephone: 05 55 89 23 07.