Limousin: Nature, Trails and Crafts

Marshes, dry heathland, lakes and rivers shape the landscapes of Limousin’s regional nature parks. The region also offers hiking trails, cycling routes and a rich craft heritage—from porcelain making in Limoges to tapestry in Aubusson. When planning your trip, you can treat nature and culture as distinct areas of interest and tailor your choices to your preferences.

Hiking trails and landscapes

The Parc naturel régional de Millevaches en Limousin covers more than 3,300 square kilometres across Haute-Vienne, Creuse and Corrèze. Its landscapes include peat bogs, dry heathland, large lakes, rivers, forests and meadows. The Chamina guide brings together 45 short circular walking routes in the park, along with information about its built and natural heritage. Which edition is available may change. The park’s natural wealth includes otters, freshwater pearl mussels, rare butterflies, brown trout and migratory birds; the presence of these species can vary seasonally.

The Parc naturel régional Périgord-Limousin covers 1,800 square kilometres between Limoges, Périgueux and Angoulême. Wetlands and peat bogs alternate with ponds and calcareous grasslands. The park has 2,000 kilometres of hiking trails and 21 developed sites. Activities include themed trails, audio walks, a greenway, rail biking and tree climbing. Free activities include storytelling walks and opportunities to discover local wildlife and plants. Check the seasonal programme, as well as operators and access details for individual activities, when planning.

Another natural area is the Dauges National Nature Reserve: covering around 200 hectares, it protects marshes, peat bogs, heathland and woodland. The varied landscapes offer practical starting points for planning your trip: would you mainly like to hike, are you interested in wetlands, or are lakes and forests your priority?

Cycling routes and trails through the region

The La Vélidéale cycle route starts at Lac de Vassivière in the former Limousin region and links five regional nature parks and other protected areas. There are railway stations with TGV and TER connections along the route; check current timetables for your trip. One section in the former Limousin region runs from Limoges to Aixe-sur-Vienne along the Vienne River. The Limoges stage also highlights Place des Halles, the Quartier de la Boucherie and the Musée National de la Porcelaine Adrien Dubouché. You can check the route and signage locally.

The Voie Verte des Hauts de Tardoire follows a former railway line and is reserved for non-motorised traffic. The 13-kilometre route is intended for people on roller skates, people with reduced mobility, walkers and cyclists, among others. Notable sights include Château Châlus-Chabrol, the Tardoire Valley and Grand Puyconnieux. Check local information on access and surface conditions in advance. If you are interested in longer-distance hiking trails, the Via Vézelay on the GR654 offers another point of reference: it crosses Haute-Vienne for 170 kilometres from northeast to southwest. You can check the current trail markings locally.

Porcelain, tapestry and regional specialities

Limoges brings together a range of cultural and culinary experiences. The central market showcases Limousin beef, Galetou, chestnut pudding and Flognarde as regional specialities; individual vendors and products may vary. The Maison Traditionnelle de la Boucherie explains the history of the butcher’s trade. The Galerie Le Canal presents enamelling as a regional craft. It is advisable to check current access arrangements for both locations.

Tapestry is also part of the region’s cultural identity. The centuries-old Aubusson tradition is maintained in Aubusson and other places in Creuse. Tapestry production in Aubusson and Felletin is connected with small businesses, independent craftspeople, museums, exhibitions and tourism. Other visitor experiences include tours of porcelain factories in Limoges, a paper mill and a glove-making workshop. Gastronomy and regional products are also part of “Made in Limousin”.

Choose what to focus on when planning your hotel stay

When planning your trip, it helps to decide on your priorities first: nature parks and hiking trails, a cycling route, culture in Limoges, or tapestry in Aubusson and Felletin. Then choose your hotel location based on the places that matter to your stay. If you have several interests in mind, you can organise your days around them rather than treating the different sights as a fixed itinerary. Current timetables, trail markings and access information are especially useful when they are relevant to your specific plans.

Discover more destinations: Haute-Vienne, Corrèze, Creuse, Paris, Ile-De-France, Pays De La Loire, Champagne-Ardenne, Rhône-Alpes.

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