Explore beyond La Creuzette

Boussac is a small village in the Creuse area in central France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It is often referred to as La France profonde – the authentic “deep” France where time seems to stand still and inhabitants routinely stop to say a friendly bonjour to passers-by. The ramparts and old wall dating back to 15th-century Boussac remain and a special guided historical walk through the ancient village is an enlightening experience.

Visitors can see an impressive collection of prehistoric stones and menhir and dolmen stacks at the Pierres Jaumâtres heritage site at the picturesque Toulx-Sainte-Croix village just a few kilometres outside Boussac.

The Creuse is full of surprises. The extensive oak forests offer spectacular walks and the undulating county roads are a cyclist’s dream. An annual one-day cycling event referred to as the Boussaquine Circuit is held to great fanfare in Boussac’s streets in the last week of April. There are also mountain-biking tracks and challenging off-road circuits for adventure seekers.

There are large lakes and dams here, and the beautiful area around the dramatic confluence of two rivers in the area have been painted by several Impressionist artists, including Claude Monet and August Renoir. Other well-loved pursuits include water sports and angling.

Indulge in the

Boussac market

To our guests’ delight, Boussac has a splendid weekly country market that spreads from the Avenue du Bourbonnais to the village square on a Thursday. Produce and artefacts from the region are sold from early morning until noon, when it’s time to sit down to a hearty lunch.

Explore the 12th century

Boussac Castle

George Sand, the 19th-century French writer, memoirist and cultural personality, often stayed at the 12th-century Boussac castle and this is where she wrote her well-known pastoral novel Jeanne. She was instrumental in having the world-famous series of Aubusson tapestries, The Lady and the Unicorn, restored and placed in the Cluny museum in Paris. The Boussac castle, now privately owned, is filled with a superb collection of exquisite furniture, tapestries, art and artefacts and is open to the public for visits.

See historic tapestries and cartons in

Aubusson

Aubusson is world-renowned for its historic tapestries and carpets dating back to the 14th century. In the 17th century, the weaving workshops in the villages of Aubusson and Felletin were given “royal appointment” status. In the 20th century, and especially in the 1930s, Aubusson experienced a bloom period, when artists such as Cocteau, Dufy, Dali, Braque and Picasso created modern masterpieces in wool. Aubusson tapestry still thrives today, preserving a range of traditional artistic skills. In 2016, the Cité internationale de la Tapisserie opened its doors to the public. Apart from being an excellent contemporary museum, it also houses a new training centre to ensure the continuation of the skills associated with this art form.

Browse for quality porcelain in

Limoges

Limoges is especially well known for its medieval and Renaissance-era copper enamels, its richly diverse 19th-century Limoges porcelain and sought-after oak barrels used for Cognac and Bordeaux wine production. Rich deposits of kaolinite, essential for the production of quality porcelain, were first found around Limoges in 1768. Some of the world’s major porcelain manufacturers, such as Bernardaud, Royal Limoges and Haviland, still operate here to this day.

Explore the beautiful city of

Bourges

The city of Bourges boasts one of the most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in French architectural history. Saint-Etienne has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and is considered one of the earliest examples of 13th-century High Gothic style. The stained-glass windows are breathtaking. Bourges celebrates an illustrious art history and acclaimed culinary tradition. It is here that we sample and indulge in a full range of dining and food experiences.

Experience the medieval charm of

Montluçon

Take a short drive to Montluçon, our closest city, and enjoy strolling through the Saturday market held in the medieval part of town. The market centres on the Place Saint-Pierre where you find everything from fresh organic produce and local cheeses to beautiful bouquets of flowers. Cave Saint-Pierre is around the corner from the market and here we attend expert wine tastings organised by master sommelier and wine merchant Michel Aufrere.

Delight in nature in

Gouzon

The small village of Gouzon has many delights to offer. The beautiful Réserve Naturelle Nationale Étang des Landes is a bird-watcher’s paradise, constructed around a spectacular dam. There is a picturesque 7.5km walking path around the dam with several lookout points. Also on offer nearby is the Golf de la Jonchère. This lush location offers an 18-hole golf course set on rolling green lawns. On your way back, stop off at the popular Délices des Abeilles nougat factory shop, offering products made with local honey. The nougat is delicious and available in a variety of flavours.

Treat yourself at

Évaux-les-Bains

Treat yourself with a visit to the highly recommended Evahona spa in Évaux-les-Bains, which uses healing waters from its ancient hot springs and has a wide selection of restorative treatments on offer.

See the gardens of

Notre-Dame d’Orsan

The beautiful medieval gardens of Notre-Dame d’Orsan are well worth a visit. The Prieuré d’Orsan was established in 1107 as a monastery and later listed as a historical monument. The gardens combine verdant landscapes and organic crop production with architectural gems, creating magical spaces.

Take a step back in history at

The Cistercian Abbey of Noirlac

The enchanting Cistercian Abbey of Noirlac was established in 1136 and is known as one of the best-preserved monasteries in France. Its rich history and breathtaking architecture make it well worth a visit.

Drive through the

Circuit de Mornay

Become the racing driver you always wanted to be, driving yourself on a professional racetrack with a choice of eight circuit selections set in 40ha of parkland. Pierre Petit, a former Formula 1 champion, will prepare you for your solo race.

La Creuzette Travel Tip

How far is La Creuzette from other French destinations?

  • 299km from Lyon
  • 334km from La Rochelle
  • 337km from Paris
  • 337km from Bordeaux
  • 617km from Strasbourg
  • 622km from Calais and English/French ferry
  • 764km from Nice