The Area
You will find us nestled in the heart of the tiny tranquil hamlet of La Besse, which forms part of the Videix commune. Located in the Haute Vienne department of the old Limousin region; now part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
We are situated within the Perigord-Limousin Park Natural, an area designated for its outstanding beauty, wild life and natural sites.
We are also within the National Nature Reserve astrobleme Rochechouart-Chassenon (Meteorite Reserve) where a meteorite hit the earth around 200 million years ago. Many older buildings in this area are made of the special ‘meteorite impactite-rock’ including our gites.
example of the meteorite impactite-rock used to build our home
We are perfectly situated for discovering more than just the Limousin, being located close to the Charente / Haute-Vienne / Dordogne borders. The longer we live here, the more we explore ~ helped immensely by our great gite guests who keep finding places we didn’t even know existed!
Just minutes away are the very popular ‘Grand Lacs de Charente’ where you can swim, sunbathe, hire paddle boards and kayaks etc.
Our closet lake is just 3km away. Around its perimeter it offers you two sandy beaches, two cafe / brasseries, a lakeside restaurant / bar and a nautical centre ~ making it an ideal place to spend the day (or the week!).
The local swimming lake is just 3km from the gites …
We are equidistant between the small cities of Limoges and Angouleme ~ approximately 45minutes east and west. And the larger towns of St Junien and La Rochefoucauld ~ approximately 25minutes east and west.
Our nearest town is Rochechouart just 10km away. It has all the amenities you need, including restaurants, shops (including two small supermarkets) post office, chemist, small museum, church and chateau. The chateau houses a modern and contemporary art displays; and the church boasts a very rare, twisted roof spire; along with more modern frescos.
chateau Rochechouart
the map below shows our location
Click map to enlarge
Right on our doorstep are many footpaths that will take you off into some wonderful countryside to explore the flora and fauna. The Limousin is famous for its cows, its numerous chestnut forests as well as its many lakes, ponds, brooks and streams; and of course Limoges porcelaine.
all you need is a camera
If it is modern history you are interested in then Oradour-sur-Glane is a place to visit; known as “Village des Martyrs”. The original town was destroyed on 10 June 1944, when 642 of its inhabitants, including women and children, were massacred by the 2nd Waffen-SS Panzer division. A new village was built after the war on a nearby site, but on the orders of French president, Charles de Gaulle; the whole original village has been maintained as a permanent memorial and outdoor museum.
the doctors car still sits in its last resting place
On a lighter note, there is so much going on in the summer months that you are spoilt for choice: From brocantes and vide greniers to fetes, markets and artisan festivals that celebrate all sorts of foods and modern crafts.
Music festivals and concerts play a large part of French life and this is very apparent in the Limousin where there is always something to listen to whatever your taste, from classical to rock / from blues to folk; whatever your preference of venue from open air festivals to concerts, to simple impromptu gatherings in bars and bistro’s!
Local vide grenier at the lake
The Limousin Quick View
Known as ‘the land of lakes and woodland’ everything is around you waiting to be discovered; it is perfect for those of you who love being outdoors, cycling, walking or running. With 25000 acres of water in its lakes and rivers it is perfect for swimming, water-sports or fishing. And, if you want to get a real birds-eye-view of the area you can even take a hot air balloon ride, which often departs from the local lake.
The Limousin is rural France at its very best, with rolling green hills, woodland, rivers and crystal clear lakes along with sleepy villages and towns to discover. Come and relax here, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Specialties of the Limousin
- Truffles
- Wild Mushrooms
- Clafoutis, a desert of black cherries baked in batter
- Gatueau Creusois, a butter and almond cake
Meals
- La Potee Limisine, a pork stew cooked with vegetables
- Pate de Terre, a layered potato pie topped with cream and herbs baked in a puff pastry
Drink
- Walnut and hazelnut liquor
- Limousin Cider