Self-catering holiday homes: Haute-Vienne

Make a holiday rental property or gite in Haute-Vienne your home away from home

Haute Vienne is a rural department of central France bordering Dordogne, flanking the Massif Central. It is a green and wooded, with hidden villages and tiny hamlets adorning the countryside. There are many breeds of cattle unique to Haute Vienne, leading to some of the best rural cuisine in the entire country.

Things to do on holiday in Haute Vienne, France

Despite being landlocked in the centre of France, a rural gite in Haute Vienne has access to some stunning beaches. The man made Lake of Vassiviere was created in 1950, and has kept the Haute Vienne accommodation rentals in the area busy ever since. There are not only a huge range of water sports available but also vast expanses of beaches to relax and sunbathe on. The area is crossed by a massive number of walking trails and cycling routes, through the most beautiful and serene countryside in the region.

The Parc Naturel Regional Perigird-Limousin is a beautiful rural area, where local crafts like chestnut woodworking are encouraged and are once again thriving. The park organises many family holiday orientated activities, from nature walks to festivals and workshops.

This was an area which has a great association with Richard the Lionheart, and the corridor of medieval villages (Saint-Robert, Segur-le-Chateau), castles (Coussac-Bonneval, Chateau Monbrun), and charming churches bear witness to this.

There are a number of unique events to be enjoyed from a rural gite in Haute Vienne. The last weekend of August sees the annual tractor racing finals arrive in St Junien, and the velo-rail de Bussiere Galant is open during July and August.

Places to holiday in Haute Vienne, France

The devastated remains of Oradour sur Glane serve as a haunting reminder of the bitter fighting of WWII. Wherever you have decided to take a holiday rental gite in Haute Vienne, Oradour sur Glane is an essential destination, even if you just drive through.

The luxurious capital of Haute Vienne, Limoges is a cultural hotbed offering excellent nightlife too. Limoges celebrates many festivals throughout the year, and the university ensures that there are always a range of events going on and the nightlife remains vibrant.

Bellac sits on the shores of Lake St-Pardoux, where fishing thrives. Water sports on the lake are also encouraged, but the town is best known for its theatrical heritage. Theatre lovers will be extremely satisfied if they take a Haute Vienne gite in Bellac in either June or July, as the Festival Bellac rolls into town.

Weather in Haute Vienne, France

Haute Vienne has a semi-continental climate, with average temperatures in the summer hovering around the 25?C mark, ideal for exploration of the beautiful countryside surrounding any of the holiday accommodation in Haute Vienne. Winters can be cold, with temperatures averaging 6?C during the days.

Flights to Haute Vienne, France

Holiday property in Haute Vienne is easy to get to, with the Limoges-Bellegarde Airport (LIG) receiving direct flights from across the UK, supplied by RyanAir and Flybe. Alternatively, the TGV service runs from Paris to Limoges, which connects to the Eurostar from London Waterloo.

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