Discover South West France

South West France is often referred to as the Lake District of France whilst Limousin is known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes and the town of Brantome in the Dordogne is often called the Venice of France, affectionately fighting for this title with Confolens in the Charente.

From our Limousin Bed and Breakfast in Cussac, Haute-Vienne; whether you stay around the Perigord Limousin National Park or venture into the Dordogne or Charente; you will never be far from water.

The Limousin alone boasts roughly 11,000 kilometres of rivers and more than 3,000 lakes offering everything from scenic walks, fishing and bathing, to speed boats and jet-skiing at Vassiviere, the largest lake at over 1000 hectares.

The Lac de St Mathieu is a beautiful 14 hectare lake only 6km from our B&B in Cussac. Surrounded by stunning pine forest it is ideal for whiling away the sunny days or taking a leisurely stroll around the lake or a picnic under the trees. In July or August, hire a canoe or pedal boat, enjoy a swim or sunbathe on the supervised beach area. Maybe even indulge in a snack or meal in the newly renovated "Grange du Lac" cafe bar, which has a great atmosphere and offers delicious local dishes at very affordable prices.

Known as the Lacs de Haute Charente these two stunning lakes are situated very close together. Lac Lavaud is the largest of the two, with the beach of Videix being the main tourist attraction. There are two or three cafe bars here and also a non-motorised sailing centre.

Mas Chaban is quieter and boasts spectacular scenery, excellent fishing spots and numerous woodland trails for the nature enthusiast. Worth visiting around the Lacs de Haute Charente are the picturesque little villages of Massignac, Pressignac and Videix.

These pretty lakes are only about 15/20 minutes drive from Cussac.

On the borders of Limousin and the Dordogne between Chalus and St Yriex la Perche, this lake, small by Limousin standards, has a lot to offer besides swimming and sunbathing.

Although there are no watersports as such there is crazy golf, tennis and a miniature railway. Surrounded by stunning scenery, Bussiere is also the location of the Parc Acrobois and the Velorail and the nearby village about 1km is worth a pleasant stroll before taking lunch in one of it's bar restaurants.

One of our favourite lakes to pass away a peaceful hour or two, Bussiere is less than a half hour away from our Bed and Breakfast.

Surrounded by unspoilt woodlands and nestling in the heart of a large forest the 330 hectare Lac de Saint Pardoux is ideal for countryside and water sports.

There are 3 areas to St Pardoux, Santrop which offers swimming and leisure activities including childrens play areas, picnic areas and a bar restaurant. Chabannes with it's nautical centre is aimed at sailing and windsurfing activities and Freaudor specialising in water-skiing.

One of the lakes we visit when we have a full day to spend relaxing and enjoying the Limousin region. Lac Pardoux around 45 minutes from our B&B and is not far from St Junien or Limoges if you fancy combining a few hours leisure with a visit to one of these larger towns.

Situated on the borders of the Haute Vienne and Creuse departments of Limousin, Vassiviere is one of the largest lakes in France and around an hour away from our Bed and Breakfast in the Haute-Vienne. Covering over 1,000 hectares, Lac de Vassiviere boasts over 45km of shoreline, 6 man-made beaches and a harbour. Lac Vassiviere offers just about every water-sport imaginable ~ wind-surfing, canoeing or kayaking, pedaloes, jet-skis, fishing boats.

For the land lover there are numerous nature and activity centres, horse-riding, volleyball or for something different take a hike with the aid of a donkey.

To round off a great day out boat trips are available from the harbour to the unique 75 hectare Isle de Vassiviere, this great lakes own island, which has a small chateau now an International art centre, a bar-restaurant, picnic areas and a sculpture park.

For more information Visit their website www.vassiviere.com

The two great rivers of South West France are ideal for a leisurely canoe between villages enjoying the stunning surrounding scenery.

If you are exploring the Limousin then the town of Aixe sur Vienne between our B&B and Limoges offers canoe boat hire. For tourists in the Dordogne region, the beautiful town of Brantome has a number of canoe and kayak hire centres along the river Dronne. In the Charente region, Confolens, which features fantastic stone bridges spanning the wide river, is the ideal base to hire your canoe.