Attractions

Futuroscope
Oradour-sur-Glane
Lac St Pardoux
Limoges
Chateauponsac
Bessines
Bellac

Les Tourettes and Chateauponsac
Les Tourettes is approximately 7 kms from Chateauponsac and is a small hamlet consisting of about 12 houses. It is a very quiet and tranquil area with Limousin cattle farming being the main economy.

Chateauponsac is a town of about 4000 people with all the shops required for daily life, including an Eco-Marche (supermarket). It has a number of bars and cafes, a regional museum located in the Chateau. The town dates back to the Gallo-Roman period and many antiquities can be visited. A market is held every Wednesday and is a typical old-fashioned farmers' produce and other local products necessary for everyday life. A variety of specialist local foods can be purchased and the regional cuisine is based on meat and dairy dishes unique to the area. Although not a wine producing area, it is within a short distance of 3 superior wine areas - Bordeaux, Loire and Cahors, and a vast choice of wines is available.

Bessines
Bessines is about 7 kms from Chateauponsac and has been awarded on numerous occasions for its flowers and displays. Its an eye-catching town and its cobbled square and cafes makes it an easily relaxing place for a quiet drink. Lac de Sagnat is nearby and offers bathing facilities as well as various watersports and fishing. The annual brass band competition in July draws competitors from all over the world.

Bellac
Bellac is about 30 kms away from Les Tourettes and the regional centre for the area. It is a large town but having retained its rural character and well worth a visit.

Futuroscope is under 2 hours by car from Les Tourettes. It is a world renowned science and technology theme park full of interesting activities for the family (young and old). Well worth a visit.

Oradour-sur-Glane is approximately 40 km from Les Tourettes. This is the site where on 10 June 1944 SS troops murdered 642 of the town’s inhabitants, including women and children, and burned the village to destroy the evidence of their atrocity. The village has been left more-or-less at it was found by the French, and is now a memorial to the victims of the massacre and a reminder of man’s inhumanity during War.

Lac St Pardoux is a recreational lake and is approximately 20 kms from Les Tourettes. There are many activities to enjoy on and around the lake. There are paths for walks and mountain biking, tennis, volley ball, boules and various activities. On the lake there are numerous beaches, many watersport activities such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, waterskïng, and an aqua centre. There is a charge for participation in activities.

Limoges - the capital for ceramics (porcelain, enamel), is also the capital of the Haute Vienne region of France. It is a mixture of old and new and dates back over 2000 years. The city was founded in the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Limoges has been producing fine china since the early 1770s and the ceramics museum [Musée National de Céramique Adrien-Dubouché] possessing a fine collection of ceramics and porcelain is worth a visit. The cathedral of Saint-Étienne, which was constructed between 1273 and 1520, is the city’s most imposing structure. Its elegant, partly octagonal bell tower is typical of the Gothic churches of the region. The church of Saint-Michel-des-Lions, constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries, has a 198 ft high tower with a spire surmounted by a big bronze ball. The church also possesses an excellent 15th century stained-glass windows. The 18th century Palais de l'Évêché now houses the municipal museum, which has a large collection of old enamels.

There are also modern shopping facilities where a full range of French boutiques and shops are surrounded with fine architecture. Out-of-town commercial shopping areas are also available.