Limousin

There’s an old-fashioned, rural feel to the Limousin region, where the traditional Limousin cattle graze on rolling pastureland.

The whole region has only recently become a tourist destination. It’s hard to understand why as it is crisscrossed with rivers and lakes, making it ideal for anglers and anyone interested in water sports, especially canoeing and kayaking.

The abundance of water in the region, together with the discovery of kaolin clay in the 19th century, made it ideal for porcelain making. At Haute VienneLimoges the porcelain workshops are at the heart of the city, linking the two old centres - the religious city with the Gothic cathedral at its heart, and the secular city.

The sparsely populated Creuse region is home to the traditional crafts of dye making, weaving and tapestry making. It also has a fine heritage of Romanesque churches. Aubusson, built along the Creuse river, still has a flourishing weaving and tapestry industry. Have a look at the tapestry museum as well, which traces its origins from the 15th century.

The cuisine features the famous beef, as well as plenty of apples – and don’t forget to try the violet mustard!