Les Hirondelles Guidebooks
City/town information
10 mins/ 7km. Pretty medieval town over-looking a lake. Nearest town for banks, supermarket, tourist information, petrol and chemists.
http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en/saint-benoit-du-sault
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Saint-Benoît-du-Sault
10 mins/ 7km. Pretty medieval town over-looking a lake. Nearest town for banks, supermarket, tourist information, petrol and chemists.
http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en/saint-benoit-du-sault
20 mins/ 19km. Pretty town on the picturesque river Creuse. Much bigger town with lots of restaurants. supermarkets, swimming pool, laundrette and our nearest station. http://www.ot-argenton-sur-creuse.fr/index2.php
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Argenton-sur-Creuse
20 mins/ 19km. Pretty town on the picturesque river Creuse. Much bigger town with lots of restaurants. supermarkets, swimming pool, laundrette and our nearest station. http://www.ot-argenton-sur-creuse.fr/index2.php
35 mins/34km. Lovely river-side town. It has a spectacular viaduct over the river Creuse, which you can walk or cycle across.
http://www.tourisme-leblanc.fr/en/
http://www.ville-leblanc.fr/
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Le Blanc
35 mins/34km. Lovely river-side town. It has a spectacular viaduct over the river Creuse, which you can walk or cycle across.
http://www.tourisme-leblanc.fr/en/
http://www.ville-leblanc.fr/
http://www.central-france.com/indre/st_gaultier.htm
Another lovely town on the Creuse. Good market on Friday mornings. Note: the zoo park mentioned at the bottom of the web-page ‘La Reserve Haute Touche’ is actually quite a long way from St Gaultier, so not quite sure why they list it there but it does look like a good day out for a family. http://www.amis-hautetouche.com/infospratiques.html
Saint-Gaultier
http://www.central-france.com/indre/st_gaultier.htm
Another lovely town on the Creuse. Good market on Friday mornings. Note: the zoo park mentioned at the bottom of the web-page ‘La Reserve Haute Touche’ is actually quite a long way from St Gaultier, so not quite sure why they list it there but it does look like a good day out for a family. http://www.amis-hautetouche.com/infospratiques.html
Lovely little town on the beautiful River Creuse. You can walk round the Gallo-Roman ruins. River boat cruise (1½ hours up to Le Barage D’Eguzon) - a definite must in our view. Alternatively you can hire kayaks or canoes. Book both river boat and kayaks/canoes at the Hotel Du Lac which is on the road towards St Jallet. http://www.hoteldulac-crozant.com/ The hotel has a lovely terrace overlooking the Creuse but doesn’t serve food until late afternoon – just drinks and ice-creams but the service was poor when we went.
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Crozant
Lovely little town on the beautiful River Creuse. You can walk round the Gallo-Roman ruins. River boat cruise (1½ hours up to Le Barage D’Eguzon) - a definite must in our view. Alternatively you can hire kayaks or canoes. Book both river boat and kayaks/canoes at the Hotel Du Lac which is on the road towards St Jallet. http://www.hoteldulac-crozant.com/ The hotel has a lovely terrace overlooking the Creuse but doesn’t serve food until late afternoon – just drinks and ice-creams but the service was poor when we went.
Just beyond Crozant. Another pretty Creuse village. Worth the approx. ½ mile signed walk to ‘Le Confluence’ where the Petit Creuse meets the Creuse. A very beautiful spot.
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Fresselines
Just beyond Crozant. Another pretty Creuse village. Worth the approx. ½ mile signed walk to ‘Le Confluence’ where the Petit Creuse meets the Creuse. A very beautiful spot.
A really beautiful village on the Creuse. Strong connections with the author George Sands. Lots of art galleries
and craft shops and a lovely church
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Gargilesse-Dampierre
A really beautiful village on the Creuse. Strong connections with the author George Sands. Lots of art galleries
and craft shops and a lovely church
Pretty town on the River Gartemps. Ancient bridge over the river, imposing tower built on the site of an 11th century Chateau and a huge church with a view point overlooking the river and the town. Lots of cafes, restaurants and bars, some on the river, including an English Tea-room. The town is historically famous for printing and books so lots of old bookshops, including one large English one.
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Montmorillon
Pretty town on the River Gartemps. Ancient bridge over the river, imposing tower built on the site of an 11th century Chateau and a huge church with a view point overlooking the river and the town. Lots of cafes, restaurants and bars, some on the river, including an English Tea-room. The town is historically famous for printing and books so lots of old bookshops, including one large English one.
Lovely market town with a spectacular church with superb views of the valley and a viaduct. In the main town, there is a nice Scottish-owned sandwich bar/tea shop. In the old part of town, down by the river, there is a lovely park beside the river, a lovely ancient stone bridge and an English-owned café, with a riverside terrace, which, unusually in France, serves food through-out the afternoon (12-8pm).
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Bellac
Lovely market town with a spectacular church with superb views of the valley and a viaduct. In the main town, there is a nice Scottish-owned sandwich bar/tea shop. In the old part of town, down by the river, there is a lovely park beside the river, a lovely ancient stone bridge and an English-owned café, with a riverside terrace, which, unusually in France, serves food through-out the afternoon (12-8pm).
40 mins/ 50km. Our nearest city. All the usual hypermarkets and out-of-town style shopping areas. Lots of restaurants (including, for those who don’t like French food, MacDonald’s and Buffalo Grill – American style, mainly steaks and very child-friendly; look out for the red roof with white buffalo horns)
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Châteauroux
40 mins/ 50km. Our nearest city. All the usual hypermarkets and out-of-town style shopping areas. Lots of restaurants (including, for those who don’t like French food, MacDonald’s and Buffalo Grill – American style, mainly steaks and very child-friendly; look out for the red roof with white buffalo horns)
1 hour 10 mins/ 65km. On the way towards Poitiers. Well worth the drive. Fantastic medieval city and ramparts. Falconry displays in summer. Lots of gift shops and open-air cafes. The Velo-rail was much enjoyed by our guests but wise to book ahead (Tel: 05 49 88 93 63).
http://www.chauvigny.fr/
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Chauvigny
1 hour 10 mins/ 65km. On the way towards Poitiers. Well worth the drive. Fantastic medieval city and ramparts. Falconry displays in summer. Lots of gift shops and open-air cafes. The Velo-rail was much enjoyed by our guests but wise to book ahead (Tel: 05 49 88 93 63).
http://www.chauvigny.fr/
Sightseeing
25 mins/ 19km. Belabre side of Lignac. Open June to September, 2.30 to 6pm. Parts date back to 11th century with many later restorations. Stunning from the outside and the public are free to walk around the perimeter. Entry to the Chateau €7 per adult, which is for a guided tour only – no freedom to explore. We found the tour a bit long (about 1 ½ hours), and a bit disappointing as the guide spoke in French for about three times as long as she spoke in English and only covered rooms that were restored in the 19th century, so lots of furniture and paintings but no entry to the dungeon, towers or battlements. No photos allowed inside, and we wouldn’t recommend the guided tour for children. http://www.berry-passion.com/chateau_guillaume.htm (In French).
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Chateau Guillaume
25 mins/ 19km. Belabre side of Lignac. Open June to September, 2.30 to 6pm. Parts date back to 11th century with many later restorations. Stunning from the outside and the public are free to walk around the perimeter. Entry to the Chateau €7 per adult, which is for a guided tour only – no freedom to explore. We found the tour a bit long (about 1 ½ hours), and a bit disappointing as the guide spoke in French for about three times as long as she spoke in English and only covered rooms that were restored in the 19th century, so lots of furniture and paintings but no entry to the dungeon, towers or battlements. No photos allowed inside, and we wouldn’t recommend the guided tour for children. http://www.berry-passion.com/chateau_guillaume.htm (In French).
I hour 15mins/ 95km. Described by George Sand as one of the most beautiful on earth. Dates from the 16th century. An excellent day out. €12 entry for adults. Tours of the actual château are at your own speed with an electronic audio device, which gave a summary of each room but enabled you to get more details if you wished. Lots of things in the grounds including play area, Napoleon-themed maze, ice caves, quarries, bat-caves, wild flower and herb gardens, woodlands, woodland ‘ballroom’, deer park and farm animals. You can walk round the grounds or hire a golf buggy (€12). Many special events through the year including summer outdoor balls, cookery demonstrations, wine tasting and art exhibitions. Nice orangery and gift shop.
http://www.chateau-valencay.fr/
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Château de Valençay
I hour 15mins/ 95km. Described by George Sand as one of the most beautiful on earth. Dates from the 16th century. An excellent day out. €12 entry for adults. Tours of the actual château are at your own speed with an electronic audio device, which gave a summary of each room but enabled you to get more details if you wished. Lots of things in the grounds including play area, Napoleon-themed maze, ice caves, quarries, bat-caves, wild flower and herb gardens, woodlands, woodland ‘ballroom’, deer park and farm animals. You can walk round the grounds or hire a golf buggy (€12). Many special events through the year including summer outdoor balls, cookery demonstrations, wine tasting and art exhibitions. Nice orangery and gift shop.
http://www.chateau-valencay.fr/
2hr/150km. Off the A85 between Tours and Vierzon. This beautiful 16th century château with a waxwork museum, maze, 16th century farm, beautiful gardens, play areas, restaurant and animals, is built over the River Cher. Open all year, entry from €11 for adults. The best views are from the river if you take a boat trip (great fun) from Chisseaux (Tel: 02 47 23 98 64). http://www.chenonceau.com/en/le-chateau http://www.labelandre.com (River Cruise).
Rue du Château
Rue du Château2hr/150km. Off the A85 between Tours and Vierzon. This beautiful 16th century château with a waxwork museum, maze, 16th century farm, beautiful gardens, play areas, restaurant and animals, is built over the River Cher. Open all year, entry from €11 for adults. The best views are from the river if you take a boat trip (great fun) from Chisseaux (Tel: 02 47 23 98 64). http://www.chenonceau.com/en/le-chateau http://www.labelandre.com (River Cruise).
10 mins on the road to Argenton. Spectacular looking Rapunzel style castle with moat. Not generally open to the public except for occasional open days to the grounds only. However, worth a photo over the gate.
Chazelet
10 mins on the road to Argenton. Spectacular looking Rapunzel style castle with moat. Not generally open to the public except for occasional open days to the grounds only. However, worth a photo over the gate.
Swimming
Swimming pool. http://www.cc-argenton.fr/piscine_frame.htm
On Rue du Petit Nice, by the junction with Rue Des Marais.
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Argenton-sur-Creuse
Swimming pool. http://www.cc-argenton.fr/piscine_frame.htm
On Rue du Petit Nice, by the junction with Rue Des Marais.
15 mins/ 13km. Lovely lake with beach area complete with café (not open till late afternoon), water slides, play area and diving platform. Also a good path to walk round it.
http://www.frenchentree.com/france-indre-tourism-leisure/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=21638.
Chaillac
15 mins/ 13km. Lovely lake with beach area complete with café (not open till late afternoon), water slides, play area and diving platform. Also a good path to walk round it.
http://www.frenchentree.com/france-indre-tourism-leisure/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=21638.
30 mins/ 22km. Lovely bathing beach beside the River Creuse. It does tend to get shaded by the afternoon. Café, toilets and canoe hire available at the campsite by the beach. Magnificent cliffs on the other bank.
Montcocu
30 mins/ 22km. Lovely bathing beach beside the River Creuse. It does tend to get shaded by the afternoon. Café, toilets and canoe hire available at the campsite by the beach. Magnificent cliffs on the other bank.
35 mins/ 28km. Just like the seaside with beach, water slide, diving platform, water sports, marina, café and probably the largest ‘beach’ in the area.
There are also other, smaller beaches around the lake.
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Lac d'Éguzon
35 mins/ 28km. Just like the seaside with beach, water slide, diving platform, water sports, marina, café and probably the largest ‘beach’ in the area.
There are also other, smaller beaches around the lake.
30 mins. La Forge du Lac Mondon 87160 Cromac.
Tel (Le Repos): 05 55 76 01 24. Outdoor pool – attached to a campsite but available to non-residents from 2pm onwards, very reasonable prices and free for children. Beside a lovely lake (not a swimming lake) which you can walk part-way round. Café/restaurant open Thurs – Sun (Le Repos)
Piscine aqualudique du Lac de Mondon
30 mins. La Forge du Lac Mondon 87160 Cromac.
Tel (Le Repos): 05 55 76 01 24. Outdoor pool – attached to a campsite but available to non-residents from 2pm onwards, very reasonable prices and free for children. Beside a lovely lake (not a swimming lake) which you can walk part-way round. Café/restaurant open Thurs – Sun (Le Repos)
50 mins. Off A20 just north of Limoges A bit further away, but good if you want to go somewhere on the way to Limoges airport. Enormous lake with swimming beaches (July-August only), café, kayaks, canoes, large adventure playground and large area for picnics/ball games etc. 24km walk/cycle/horse-riding route, and a tree-top assault course nearby
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Lac de Saint-Pardoux
50 mins. Off A20 just north of Limoges A bit further away, but good if you want to go somewhere on the way to Limoges airport. Enormous lake with swimming beaches (July-August only), café, kayaks, canoes, large adventure playground and large area for picnics/ball games etc. 24km walk/cycle/horse-riding route, and a tree-top assault course nearby
Restaurants
Open 7 days a week in the summer (closed Wednesdays in winter). Nice pub-style atmosphere. This is one of a limited number of restaurants where you can still get food after 9pm. English spoken. Good range of steaks and fish dishes. About 35 minutes’ drive. Nice and cosy in winter but the best terrace we have found for summer evenings. All round favourite of ours.
Le Cottage
1 Les GonninsOpen 7 days a week in the summer (closed Wednesdays in winter). Nice pub-style atmosphere. This is one of a limited number of restaurants where you can still get food after 9pm. English spoken. Good range of steaks and fish dishes. About 35 minutes’ drive. Nice and cosy in winter but the best terrace we have found for summer evenings. All round favourite of ours.
About 20 minutes’ drive. Fairly limited menu but superb quality, traditional French food. Very reasonably priced for such excellent food. Small, family run place - it feels more like a dinner party in a home than a commercial establishment. Good but leisurely service – not for a hurried meal – expect to make a night of it. Also not the best place for children – no children’s menu and not a frite in sight. Lovely terrace but we haven’t been yet in the summer. Reservation needed. No credit cards & no website. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesday lunch-times. Probably our favourite for special occasions.
RESTAURANT LA LUZERAISE
La Tuilerie de la LuzeraiseAbout 20 minutes’ drive. Fairly limited menu but superb quality, traditional French food. Very reasonably priced for such excellent food. Small, family run place - it feels more like a dinner party in a home than a commercial establishment. Good but leisurely service – not for a hurried meal – expect to make a night of it. Also not the best place for children – no children’s menu and not a frite in sight. Lovely terrace but we haven’t been yet in the summer. Reservation needed. No credit cards & no website. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesday lunch-times. Probably our favourite for special occasions.
About 25 minutes’ drive – a few yards up the hill from the centre. Italian restaurant and pizzeria (also does take away pizza). Wonderful food and good service but we recommend eating indoors - the pavement tables looked lovely but were a bit close to a busy road. Closed on Sundays & Mondays.
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Rive Droite
8 Rue Ledru RollinAbout 25 minutes’ drive – a few yards up the hill from the centre. Italian restaurant and pizzeria (also does take away pizza). Wonderful food and good service but we recommend eating indoors - the pavement tables looked lovely but were a bit close to a busy road. Closed on Sundays & Mondays.
About 15 mins/13km away.
New owners. Bar – Brasserie – Pizza (including takeaway).
Open Tues-Sat 10:00–21:00 Sun 16:00–21:00.
LE BOSQUET
1 Pl. de l'ÉgliseAbout 15 mins/13km away.
New owners. Bar – Brasserie – Pizza (including takeaway).
Open Tues-Sat 10:00–21:00 Sun 16:00–21:00.
Open Tue – Thu 10:00 – 14:00 & Sat 08:00 – 12:00 for light lunches, tea and cake (and English Breakfast on Saturday). English owned. Fairly simple but a good place for delicious English cakes!
La Ruche Cafe, Bed & Breakfast, Chaillac
5 Pl. de l'ÉgliseOpen Tue – Thu 10:00 – 14:00 & Sat 08:00 – 12:00 for light lunches, tea and cake (and English Breakfast on Saturday). English owned. Fairly simple but a good place for delicious English cakes!
A lot further away than the other restaurants reviewed (about an hour), but Bellac is a beautiful town and this English-run café has a lovely terrace by the river and the famous ancient stone bridge. They serve food from lunchtime right through to about 9pm, but closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. During the summer open every day. They often have live music or show live football and other sports.
Café le Pont de la Pierre
Pont de la PierreA lot further away than the other restaurants reviewed (about an hour), but Bellac is a beautiful town and this English-run café has a lovely terrace by the river and the famous ancient stone bridge. They serve food from lunchtime right through to about 9pm, but closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. During the summer open every day. They often have live music or show live football and other sports.
About 15 minutes’ drive, located west of St Civran. Open most lunchtimes 12:00 – 14:00 (except Mon & Sat) with a very good value ‘dish of the day’ menu. Also open on Friday and Saturday evenings 19:30 – 22:00, but very popular then and you are advised to book. Very good, traditional French food.
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Resto Léon
5 Rte de BelabreAbout 15 minutes’ drive, located west of St Civran. Open most lunchtimes 12:00 – 14:00 (except Mon & Sat) with a very good value ‘dish of the day’ menu. Also open on Friday and Saturday evenings 19:30 – 22:00, but very popular then and you are advised to book. Very good, traditional French food.
7 Place de l’Eglise, 36310 Chaillac.
Tel: 02 54 25 74 07. About 15 mins/13km away. Lovely little restaurant with small terrace in the centre of Chaillac. A la carte and set menus from €11.50 for 3 courses at lunchtime, and from €13.50 for 3 courses, evenings, €18.50-€26.90 for 4 courses. Closed Sunday evenings & Mondays.
La Gerbe de Blé
1 Pl. du Bosquet7 Place de l’Eglise, 36310 Chaillac.
Tel: 02 54 25 74 07. About 15 mins/13km away. Lovely little restaurant with small terrace in the centre of Chaillac. A la carte and set menus from €11.50 for 3 courses at lunchtime, and from €13.50 for 3 courses, evenings, €18.50-€26.90 for 4 courses. Closed Sunday evenings & Mondays.