Location
Chabrenas is only 10 minutes drive off the main A20 Auto Route. It is also within easy traveling distance of the cultural centres of Limoges (30 km / ½ hour) and Brive (50 km / ¾ hour ). Limoges has a railway station (30 km) and an international airport (40 km) with daily flights from Stansted (UK). Car hire is also available at the airport.
Directions - Leave the main A20 at Junction 42, take D7 to Meuzac. Pass through the town past a garage on the left hand side with a lake visible through the trees (in daylight) on the right hand side. Take the next turning on the right D54 signposted St Yrieux and Coussac Bonneval. Go past the Forge Neuve restaurant on the right, over a small bridge and take next right hand fork on the D71 to Chataignol. Go up the hill and at crossroads turn left onto D215 to Courneix. Take next turning on right by red and white bollard and Chabrenas courtyard is the end of this road.
The Local Area
Meuzac (2 km / 3 minutes) is the nearest local village with Post Office, Boulangerie (Bread shop), small supermarket, garage for fuel, and small cafe/restaurant. It also has a swimming lake with beach facilities, cafe/restaurant which is open from end of June to end of August.
St Yrieix la Perche (13km / 20 minutes) - this is the nearest town with large supermarkets, a bigger swimming lake which also has a lovely china shop and museum on its banks. Museum, restaurants, china and many other shops.
Coussac Bonneval (8 km / 10 minutes) has a very interesting Château, well worth a visit.
Lubersac - Small town with local shops and good supermarket.
St. Germaine Les Belles is a pretty village but one of its best assets is a good swimming lake with beach, (lakeside restaurant June to September), diving boards into 6m of water, also tennis court, swings and lots of other childrens playground equipment.
Market Days
St Yrieix La Parche - Friday
Lubersac (Small market) - Wednesday & Friday
Limoges - Everyday
Brive - Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Places of Interest
Limoges (30 km) cultural city drenched in 2,000 years of history, founded in the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus, and called after him, Augustoritum. With cathedral and markets, it is also home to the Musée National Adrian Dubouche for the history of Limoges ceramics, glass and porcelain. http://www.musee-adriendubouche.fr/
Oradour sur Glane (40 km) The scene of a Second World War Nazi massacre killing 642 inhabitants on 10th June 1944. The town is now a permanent memorial to those who died and a reminder to us all. http://www.oradour.org
Brive-la-Gaillarde (50 km) The history of Brive begins in the Middle Ages when the town, due to its wealth and strategic site was much coveted by powerful local lords. Despite this, Brive always managed to defend itself with courage and gallantry - hence its name, Brive-la-Gaillarde (the Strapping Woman). The abbey church of Saint-Martin, at the centre of the city, contains, among other treasures, an impressive collection of tombs as well as a 12th C. baptismal font
Collonge-La-Rouge (60 km) a village of turrets and watch-towers built out of red sandstone. The village has all sorts of interesting shops & restaurants, well worth a day out.
Ségur-le-Château It is built at a bend in the Auvézère River, around the ruins of its old feudal castle, Ségur is a picturesque village of Renaissance houses and narrow streets.
During August every Monday evening there is a town market where you can buy, cook and eat local produce. A great evening out.
Aubusson (142 km) in the middle of the Creuse valley, has been for centuries the tapestry capital of the world. Its old houses crowd round the main street with their pepper pot turrets, decorated window frames and gothic lintels; studios, art shops and fountains, altogether a reincarnation of the Middle Ages, alive and flourishing today. The most fascinating is the family house of the 'Vieux Tapissier', the workshops since the 16th C. of the Corneille dynasty of weavers. In 1665, Louis XIV appointed Aubusson weavers to the royal household: weaving took off and Aubusson became the most famous tapestry town in France. Jean Lurçat came to Aubusson in 1937 and his tapestries have been quoted as international masterpieces. The fortified château is now in ruins but the town offers charming promenades featuring the Vieux-Pont, the Clock Tower and the church of Sainte-Croix
Golf
There are five golf courses within traveling distance. Limoges Aubazine, a 9 hole/par 28 and 18 hole/par 70 course, Brive an 18 hole/par 71 course (www.golfdebrive.com), near Souillac an 18 hole/par 72 course and near Saint Cere a 9 hole course at the Chateau de Montal.
Caves
There are spectacular caves to the south at Grotte de Roc, Goffle de Padirac and the cave paintings of Grotte de Lascaux, and also many others
Chateaux
There are many chateaux in the area, the nearest being at Coussac Bonneval, well worth a visit, also at Arnac Pompadour, Hautefort and Jumillac Le Grand. A bit further a field the Chateaux of Turenne, Castlenau and Montal (beside the beautiful golf course). We also have the route of "Richard the Lion Heart" which can be followed all around the area.
Pompadour Race Course
The Vezere, Lot and Dordogne Valleys - are all within easy traveling distance with their stunning views, and pretty villages including Rocamadour, Collonge La Rouge and many others.
Local Tourist Information
Corrèze - Departmental Tourism Office
Maison du Tourisme - Quai - 19000 - Tulle - France
Telephone: 00 33 05 55 29 98 78
Website: www.cgi19.fr
Creuse - Departmental Tourism Office
43 place Bonnyaud
Postal Address - BP 243 - 23005 GuZret cedex - France
Telephone: 00 33 05 55 51 93 23
Website: www.cg23.fr
Haute-Vienne - Departmental Tourism Office
4 place Denis Dussoubs
Postal Address: 87031 - Limoges cedex - France
Telephone: 00 33 05 55 79 04 04
Website: www.tourisme-hautevienne.com
Limoges - www.tourismelimoges.com
Limousin - www.tourisme@limousin-info.com
