A Walking Retreat in the French Countryside

Open for reservations

Overview

Join us for an unforgettable walking holiday at the enchanting château La Creuzette in the idyllic French countryside. Each day combines invigorating hikes through rolling hills, ancient villages, and breathtaking natural landscapes with moments of rest, fine food, and cultural discovery. Explore scenic trails, from panoramic hilltop views at Pierres Jaumatres to the tranquil shores of Lac de Sidiailles. Enjoy elegant accommodation, a hands-on cooking session, a garden visit, and exquisite gourmet dining experiences, all from the comfort of our luxurious château. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply enjoy walking in beautiful surroundings, this is a refined yet active escape designed to nourish body and soul.

Cost breakdown

La Creuzette special interest programmes are carefully compiled to ensure that you have the ultimate, hassle-free luxury holiday experience.

€1950 per person sharing

Collection from Châteauroux train station and transport to La Creuzette
4 nights luxurious accommodation at La Creuzette in double or twin rooms
Full board accommodation (all meals including drinks)
Guided walking routes as per the itinerary
Excursions as set out in the itinerary
Cooking demonstration
Transfer back to Châteauroux train station at the end of the stay

A non-refundable deposit of €1000 secures your booking with the balance due on or before your arrival at La Creuzette. A single supplement of €450 applies for single occupation.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Monday, 18 May)

Guests will be collected at Châteauroux train station between 14:00 and 15:00 and transferred to the charming La Creuzette estate in Boussac. On arrival, enjoy a warm welcome with tea, coffee, and French macarons. After checking into your room, take some time to settle in and explore the château and its grounds. In the evening, join us in the lounge for a champagne apéritif, followed by a formal four-course dinner served in the château’s formal dining room.

Day 2 (Tuesday, 19 May)

Breakfast will be served at 07:30 in the main dining room of the château. After a hearty start to the day, we set off on an 18 km walk with an elevation gain of approximately 650 meters, combining quiet country roads with scenic forest and meadow trails. Our route leads us from La Creuzette through the rolling Creuse countryside to the picturesque hilltop village of Toulx-Saint-Croix, one of the region’s hidden gems. This charming village is known for its ancient Romanesque church dating back to the 11th century and the Toulx Observation Tower, built in the late 19th century. On a clear day, the tower rewards visitors with a panoramic view stretching as far as the Massif Central and, occasionally, the snow-capped Puy de Dôme volcano in the distance. From Toulx-Saint-Croix, we descend toward the mysterious and beautiful Pierres Jaumâtres, a natural site steeped in legend. Scattered across the wooded slopes of Mont Barlot, these enormous granite boulders,some balanced improbably atop one another, have inspired myths since prehistoric times. Some say the stones were placed there by giants or used as Druidic altars. The path weaves between these magnificent formations, leading us to the summit, where we are rewarded with breathtaking views over Boussac and the surrounding valleys. We end our walk at the bottom, where we’ll relax and enjoy a well-deserved late lunch at the Pierres Jaumâtres restaurant, whose terrace, nestled among the trees, feels like dining in a treehouse. After lunch, La Creuzette’s transport will collect us for the short journey back to the château, where you’ll have time to freshen up and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. As the sun sets, we’ll meet for aperitifs in the garden in front of the summerhouse before sitting down to a delightful dinner in the summerhouse dining room.

Day 3 (Wednesday, 20 May)

After breakfast, we set off for Lac de Sidiailles, a scenic 90-hectare lake nestled in the heart of the countryside, known for its crystal-clear waters, forested shores, and dramatic rock formations. This natural gem also serves as a hub for outdoor activities, including hiking, water sports, and climbing. Today’s adventure is a 14 km loop hike around the lake, with an elevation gain of approximately 480 meters. The trail is more technical in places, featuring uneven terrain and occasional steep sections, but rewards us with breathtaking views over the water and surrounding woodlands. We’ll pause midway for a light picnic lunch, thoughtfully packed and enjoyed at a peaceful viewpoint overlooking the lake, a perfect moment to rest and take in the beauty of this pristine setting. After completing the hike, we return to La Creuzette for some well-earned free time to relax, perhaps with a book in the garden or a rest in your room. In the late afternoon, we gather in the summerhouse kitchen for a hands-on cooking session, followed by dinner, enjoying the fruits of your culinary efforts around a beautifully set table.

Day 4 (Thursday, 21 May)

Today is the weekly market day in Boussac. After breakfast, you will have some time to enjoy the market which takes place on the town’s square about 200m from La Creuzette. You can meander through the colourful market stalls, which are laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, and other artisanal products from the region, explore the fresh produce on offer, and you will also have time to wander through the different market stands as well as the small boutiques in the village. Later, you enjoy a relaxed harvest table lunch under the trees in the garden of La Creuzette. A delicious rosé from Provence will be perfectly paired to your lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Priory garden at Notre Dame d’Orsan. This magnificent property was the inspiration for the garden design at Babylonstoren in South Africa and now also The Newt in Somerset, UK. This establishment was founded in the 12th century and was a place of pilgrimage. The garden structures are still designed in a very calming and meditating layout. We spend the afternoon in this magical creation of pure delight. There will also be some time to shop in their beautiful garden boutique, where they have the most beautiful garden accessories and gifts. This evening, champagne will be served in the chateau’s lounge, followed by a special dining experience.

Day 5 (Friday 22 May)

We begin the day with an early breakfast at La Creuzette before setting off on a short drive to the magnificent Étang des Landes, one of the most remarkable natural reserves in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. This vast protected wetland covers 165 hectares, including a serene 100-hectare lake, and is celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity and peaceful beauty. Our morning walk follows a 7 km circular trail that winds around the dam and through varied habitats; reed beds, meadows, and wooded areas, each offering a different perspective on this thriving ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll find a series of beautifully designed wooden observatories and bird hides, ingeniously integrated into the landscape. These offer discreet viewpoints from which to observe the reserve’s rich birdlife. More than 240 bird species have been recorded here, including herons, egrets, ducks, and, depending on the season, migratory species such as ospreys and sandpipers. With a bit of luck, you may also spot deer grazing in the meadows or turtles basking near the water’s edge. The full walk, including the small detours into the observation points, covers approximately 6 to 7 km at an easy pace. Once back at La Creuzette, you will have some time to freshen up. We enjoy a light lunch in the garden, before heading to Chateauroux for your return journey to Paris.