Châtelus le Marcheix, Creuse, Limousin  for excellent walking and cycling holidays

 

The village and commune of Châtelus le Marcheix lies in the department of Creuse and in the region known as the Limousin which is part of Central France.  Although it is the largest village in the area the commune has only 370 inhabitants. The canton is B¨¦n¨¦vent l'Abbaye and Gu¨¦ret is the main town in the department with a good selection of shops and almost all the public offices.

 

Ian and Simone are your hosts at the picturesque Auberge de Châtelus a charming hotel where you can be assured of a friendly welcome.  Whether you are at the end of a days stage on Voie de V¨¢zelay ( A PIlgrimage trail starting further north in France at Vezelay and progressing south to Spain) or coming for a few days relaxation in the environs of Châtelus le Marcheix you will find the Auberge de Châtelus fits the bill.

 

The countryside is quiet and unspoilt with many walks through splendid scenery and along meandering streams and river banks. With a population density of 8 people per square kilometer you can quite reasonably expect to be not exactly overwhelmed by a mass of tourists. Until quite recently it was the French who spent their holiday here but now a far more international assembly is found.

 

This increase in popularity is only to be expected as the lush greens of the woods and pasture even in the height of the hottest summers give a sense of relaxation not found in the parched summer regions further south.  The still  largely broadleaf woodlands and non intensive farming methods also mean that the region is a nature reserve in its own right.  Deer and wild boar abound in the woodland and pine martins are far too abundant for the poultry keeper. One of the most delightful critters to watch but a mass exterminator in the chicken coop.

 

The insect life is also very interesting with swallowtail, purple emperor and large tortoiseshell butterflies being more abundant than cabbage whites.  Also to be cheered is the fact the mosquitoes and other biters seem to largely keep their distance.

 

The four towns locally are Gu¨¦ret, 40 minutes to the north, Aubusson, 55 minutes to the east, Bourganeuf, 25 minutes to the east and St Leonard de Noblat 20 minutes to the west.  There is not much you cannot buy in one of these towns but for a greater choice the city of Limoges is about an hour away and it is well worth the drive to visit and it is a place I for one love to explore.

 

Wikipedia

A village of farming, forestry, lakes and streams situated some 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Gu¨¦ret by the banks of the Taurion river and at the junction of the D5, D8 and the D48 roads. The village lies on the pilgrimage path of the Way of St. James.

 

Google Earth

Châtelus-le-Marcheix France 23430

 

For a collection of maps of the area click here