DESTINATIONS ©
DESTINATIONS © MalikaTurin Valley of Painters Limousin gets its generous nature from three simple ingredients: water, earth and fire. These basic ingredients give this territory its international fame, thanks to skills such as fire arts including Limoges enamel and porcelain, Saint Junien leather gloves, Tulle’s accordions and lace, and Aubusson tapestry to name a few. In Aubusson and Felletin, factories and workshops weave tapestries to decorate embassies, luxury hotels, castles and museums worldwide. La Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie opened in 2016, in Aubusson. This venue’s innovative layout enhances the past and present of tapestry art, which is now registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Limousin is a green land of valleys peppered with cows, lakes and forests – the mythical Dordogne river, the Impressionist valley in Creuse, the Millevaches Regional Nature Park, the Vassivière lake – and offers markets where consumers can buy goods directly from local farmers. From Aubusson to Gueret, Limoges to Brive-la-Gaillarde, the Limousin region offers you the luxury of choice: culture, sports, family holidays… KEY ASSETS • A paradise for nature fans: a water wonderland with thousands of streams. A kaleidoscope of landscapes. • A rich medieval past: castles, towers, knights and troubadours. • Savoir-faire and excellence (Limoges enamel and porcelain, Aubusson tapestry…). LIMOGES – AUBUSSSON: SKILLS AND EXCELLENCE, THE DAWNING OF LUXURY In the footsteps of impressionist painters - Claude Monet, Armand Guillaumin and Francis Picabia, among others - hundreds of artists erected their easels in the valley of painters, in the heart of a wild and unspoilt nature. Travellers can do the same by walking in their footsteps, discovery book in hand, following the Path of Painters, a short loop marked with bookmarks honouring the work of Claude Monet. UNCONVENTIONAL HOLIDAYS Porcelain Routes in Limousin: a network of 22 Limoges porcelain factories which came together to represent and promote the tradition of Limoges porcelain. The Richard the Lion Heart Trail is a sightseeing route named after the famous king who was mortally wounded in Châlus and takes you to the south west of the region. The trail is 180km (112 miles) long and includes 19 sites which are also architectural masterpieces. ACCOMMODATIONS There are 64,729 beds available in Limousin. TRANSPORTS Limoges (LIG) Brive (BVE) Brive Limoges Paris: 1hr 20mins London: 1hr 30mins Manchester: 1hr 45mins Paris: 1hr 20mins London: 1hr 40mins Paris: 4hrs 20mins Paris: 3hrs 20mins MORE INFORMATION www.tourisme-hautevienne.co.uk www.tourismecorreze.com/en www.tourisme-creuse.com/en THE MARAIS POITEVIN: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR The Marais Poitevin is France’s second largest wetland and is often referred to as France’s ‘Green Venice’, a unique landscape that has been created, shaped and maintained by water across the centuries. The Nature Park of the Marais Poitevin is a magical location in any season for a romantic short break, outdoor adventure or family holiday. There are many piers from which you can take a guided tour, and you can even rent your own rowingboat or canoe. You can also explore The Marais by foot or bicycle. ACCOMMODATIONS There are 6,700 beds available, including small hotels, guest houses and ecofriendly campsites. KEY ASSETS • A green ecotourism destination par excellence. Learn the full story of the landscape, lifestyle and traditions at the four themed discovery centres, the Maisons du Parc. • One of the key areas in France for birdwatching and nature holidays. Visit the family-friendly bird reserve at Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud. • Gastronomy and know-how: discover the flavours of the Poitevin Marshes. TRANSPORTS Niort TGV Paris: 1hr 50mins MORE INFORMATION www.niortmaraispoitevin.co.uk www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr/en © Gilbert Bochenek 16 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.visit-nouvelle-aquitaine.com
Theme Holidays Holidaymakers increasingly want to follow “themes” when they visit a region, adding to the charm and interest of their tour. The most obvious example of this in Nouvelle-Aquitaine is of course the theme of wine (and spirits) tourism, where visitors not only tour and visit a number of sites, but taste and eventually purchase its products. It also goes without saying that many people travel to France for its globally renowned cuisine, and here again, this region delivers even more than one might expect. When it comes to history and culture, visitors can discover sites dating back to the first traces of human presence on, through the middle ages, through to its rich history of the past centuries. For those loving the outdoor life, whether it’s cycling, hiking or surfing, there’s plenty to do, and the growing wellness sector is also particularly well catered for. Finally, the curious can also learn how master local craftspeople produce the articles for which the region is famous! Find out more in the following pages… @ Château des Vigiers - CRTA © tuvemafoto - OT Bayonne» KEY ASSETS Nature, city and seaside golf courses 400 rugby clubs Surfing, a true traditional sport with its own clothing brands Golf des Vigiers Aviron Bayonnais rugby match ACTIVE HOLIDAYS GOLF TOURISM Nouvelle Aquitaine is a golfers’ paradise with surprising golf courses and mindblowing green landscapes. Welcome to the kingdom of golf! History fans should be sure to give the Golf de Pau a try. This is the world’s oldest golf course outside of the British Isles. Amidst the vineyards above the river Charente, Golf du Cognac is a true nature haven. Treat yourself to an unforgettable golf holiday at Golf des Vigiers, an international class 27-hole course in a unique environment. A LAND OF RUGBY PAR EXCELLENCE! With over 400 clubs and 80,000 members, Nouvelle Aquitaine is the land of rugby. Five top-level clubs compete in France’s top 14 professional rugby union club competition for 2017-2018: Agen, Bordeaux-Bègles, Brive, La Rochelle and Pau. The lively grandstand atmosphere, matches and post-match celebrations... so many thrilling moments to share, including with other team supporters, such as the Irish, British or Italians, who come to New Aquitaine to attend European competitions. SURFING Biarritz became France’s first surf town in 1957 and just six months later, a few Biarritz surf fans began making surfboards. However, Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s surf spots are not exclusively on the Basque Coast. The beaches of Ile d’Oléron, Médoc (Soulac, Carcans Océan, Lacanau) and the Landes area (Biscarrosse, Moliets and Mimizan) are also popular among surfers of all levels. www.visit-nouvelle-aquitaine.com SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 17
