Local Area - Grue Demoiselle FR Gite Site

Lake Saint Pardoux

Lake St Pardoux is just a quick 15 minute car journey from us. The Limousin is famed for the variety and sheer number of its lakes and is known as the 'Land of a Thousand Lakes' ('Pays des Mille Etangs') St. Pardoux is the largest lake in the area and is equal in size to Lake Windemere and has many similar activities with sailing, windsurfing, water skiing and fishing. There is also a tree adventure course, pedaloes for hire and a bouncy castle park in the summer, all of which have reasonable entrance fees. Refreshments can be found in the form of a pizza restaurant and little huts selling drinks and ice cream.

For those who like to keep their sporting activities on dry land, there is tennis, volleyball, cycling and walking. The big attractions of Saint Pardoux are the three beaches with imported sand. These beaches are delightful for small children with lots for them to do.

There are picnic areas with ample parking. Fishing is available on the lake and in nearby rivers and private fisheries.

There is a tourist office and the surrounding area has many pretty villages. See our dedicated page for the lake.

Rancon Village

 Rancon Village is just 2kms from us. Although small, it has plenty to interest and wile away at least an afternoon if not a full day.
 There are three art galleries with helpful and interesting guides to help you get the most from your visit. Visit the house of the famous British artist Fred Yates and experience life in an untouched old Limousin house.
 Take a tea and browse in the organic tea room and shop, enjoy a lunch in one of the cafés with seats outside before having a look at the rare Lantern de Morts and gaze upon the beautiful Angel glass window in the Church.
 Just outside Rancon is a hidden chapel often painted by Fred Yates which is worth a visit.
 A 'must see' is the Buddhist Temple. The Buddhist temple welcomes visitors to browse their gardens and extraordinary statues before taking your shoes off to see inside the temple. There is also a great little shop here where souvenirs can be bought.
 Rancon has a Cider and Chestnut festival in October and a fantastic medieval fayre in June. Fireworks, moules and frites in July, of course!

Bellac

Bellac is our nearest town being 10kms away. This has all the supermarkets and services including: a Carrefour, Intermarche, Lidl and Netto.

There is also an old town centre with two butchers, some patisseries and pharmacy as well as a selection of bars and restaurants.

There is an attractive park with the river Vincou running through it and a bar overlooking the river where you can enjoy a glass of wine.

Free Spirits!

The area offers plenty of locations where you can be free, especially if you have lively children.

There are shallow rivers and waterfalls where an adventure can be had clambering up the rocks and running wild, take a fishing net and paddle around.

There are also some great rivers with deep pools for swimming and body surfing.    

Forests to explore (which are not managed) and a host of wildlife to spot.

Lots of energy burning activites before returning to Grue Demoiselle for a BBQ, some lawn games and a sit around the fire pit under the star-filled skies.

Please note these areas and all independent activities are done at your own risk.

Horse Riding

If meandering through the French countryside on the back of a good horse sounds appealing, then there is an excellent local horse riding academy. They will take great pleasure in showing you the network of tracks and paths which criss-cross through the countryside of this area in central France.

The countryside is unspoiled and beautiful with many rights-of-way kept open which makes riding through it on horseback a real pleasure. Riding trails in France usually avoid paved roads. Spectacular castles, walled towns and ancient monasteries are everywhere. Allow yourselves to explore the rivers and hills, enjoy meeting and eating with the locals, and discover a region of the world which feels untouched and unchanged.

Megaliths

Like the neighbouring region of Périgord, the Limousin has many prehistoric remains like standing stones and megalithic chamber tombs, some fine examples of which can be found near Grue Demoiselle.

We recommend a trip around the ancient standing stone sites in the Monts de Blond to experience the energy and ancient feel of these interesting sites - a great day to explore and take a picnic.

Futuroscope

Futuroscope is just about 1 hour from us. It is a great day out for the family. Extreme thrills, images in
giant-screen format, breathtaking shows, interactive adventures that will delight your senses, and more.
Over 25 experiences for all the family that bring you fun and a new way of exploring the world.
See more on Futuroscope

Markets

From April to the end of October, you will often find a local street market or attic sale - a great time to wander around in search of a bargain and sample some local French life.

Horse and Carriage Rides

Enjoy a ride in an open air horse-drawn carriage around the beautiful village and area of Mortemart or take a donkey for a walk and make new friends for an afternoon. More information can be found on Balades A Mortemart. This website is in French and reservations are to be made by phone.

Bicycles

To ensure good quality bikes suitable for your height and ability, we recommend a local bike hire company who will deliver your bike on your arrival here. Please contact them directly to make arrangements.

Golf & Tennis

Just 5 minutes away, public tennis courts are located at Blanzac.
The nearest golf course is at Mortemart which is just 15 minutes away.

Oradour Sur Glane

If you are interested in the Second World War, then a visit to Oradour Sur Glane may be of interest. The small town of Oradour Sur Glane is perhaps one of the most painful symbols to the French of the German atrocities of the Second World War. On the 10 June 1944, just a few days after D-Day, almost all of the occupants were executed by the Germans. The ruined village and memorial museum offer a fascinating insight into the terrors of that day.