Limousin is situated in South-Central France and covers part of the rugged Massif Central Mountains. The region is made up of three departments (counties) – the Haute Vienne, the Creuse and the Corrèze. Limousin is a very rural part of France, with the city of Limoges being the only really large town, with a population of around 140,000 inhabitants.
Rural Limousin is full of woods, spruce forests and fields full of sheep. In the South West, the river Dordogne meanders through the region and this area can be hot in summer. Limousin forms the North Western edge of the Massif Central.
The area is full of museums and one of the most interesting is the La Fage Chasm. Located 10km south of Brive, La Fage is divided into two galleries and is know for its beautiful, colourful draperies, numerous stalactites, calcite bridges and paleontological deposits. It is also home to one of the largest bat colonies in Europe. There’s plenty to keep the kids occupied, with themed discovery routes, a sound and light show, games for children and a basic archaeology workshop for 7-12 year olds. Or for something completely different, why not visit Les Loups de Chabrières, an unspoilt nature reserve that is home to more than 45 grey, black and white wolves?
Limousin is home to some stunning castles, including the medieval Château de Sédières. Situated 3km from Clergoux, the castle is surrounded by 130ha of forest, lakes and rivers and is a perfect place to explore. The castle also offers a range of outdoor activities throughout the year including mountain biking trails, orienteering courses and hikes.
The real draw of Limousin is, of course, the great outdoors. The Millevaches Nature Park is part of the Massif Central, situated in the mountains of Limousin. It’s home to Lake Vassivière, one of the region’s largest lakes complete with sandy beaches and a port that make it an ideal holiday resort for bathing, sailing and all sorts of water activities. There’s even a restaurant on a boat! You can also go hiking, mountain biking or horse riding in the park. And make sure to visit the beautiful Augerolles Waterfalls while you’re in the Park. Wherever you go in Limousin though, you can be guaranteed of wonderful countryside and plenty of outdoor pursuits to keep a whole family occupied!
Limousin is accessible by rail – you can take the Eurostar to Lille and then a TGV train to Limoges. Be warned that it’s a 6-hour train journey from Lille to the region! You can also get a range of cheap flights from the UK with airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair, HOP! and Flybe.
Family friendly campsites
Correze, Beynat, Domaine du Lac de Miel
With leafy emplacements and beautiful surrounding landscapes, Camping Domaine du Lac de Miel campsite is ideal for those who want to get closer to nature. There's a lovely swimming pool on site and direct access to a Blue Flag lake, where you can swim or try your hand at water sports such as canoeing and paddle boarding. During high season there's a variety of entertainment on offer and a children's club and the whole family will enjoy the facilities including mini golf, volleyball and a tennis court.
Dordogne, Sarlat, la Palombière
Set amidst rolling hills and stunning countryside is Campling la Palombière - a beautiful wood and parkland campsite. Kids will love the swimming pool with its two twisting water slides and during high season the site runs Family Extra - an activity programme for the whole family, with activities ranging from water sports to arts and crafts. Housed in the old stone farm buildings are a well-stocked shop, oak-beamed bar and a gourmet restaurant.
