Lac de la Grange, 9 route des Batiments (sud), Rochechouart 87600, is set in the countryside, where we are the first house on the left beside the lake. We are next to the hamlet of Les Bordes on the D41, five minutes east of Rochechouart.

Rochechouart is in the Haute-Vienne region of Limousin within 15 minutes drive of both the Dordogne and Charente regions. With many places of interest and activities in the local area.

Airports - car rental is available at the airport and must be pre-booked

We are 25k (30 minutes) from Limoges airport, which is served predominantly by Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) with flights from Bristol, London Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford. Flybe (www.flybe.com) also has flights to Limoges from Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, Manchester & Southampton

Channel ports 

The distance from Calais to Rochechouart is approximately 700km (7hrs drive) from Cherbourg & Dieppe 590km (6hrs) and from Caen, Le Havre & St Malo 480-500km (5-5.5hrs).

Trains - car rental is available at the station and must be pre-booked

Limoges railway station is served by TGV trains from Paris Gare Austerlitz. The journey takes 3-3.5 hours and there are around 10 trains per day

The origins of Rochechouart date back to the 10th Century and today it is a typically picturesque French town where amongst the quaint narrow streets you will find a range of small local shops including fine boulangeries, pâtisseries and charcuteries offering local produce, also some excellent eating places. On the outskirts of the town we have 2 supermarkets, a petrol station and a DIY store which sells some fishing gear!

Dominating the town is the Chateau which dates from the 13th Century and now houses an art gallery. The other building of major interest is the Romanesque and Gothic church with its unusual twisted spire, only two of which exist in France

Along the main cobbled street you will find the 'Espace Meteorite'. A museum dedicated to the history of Rochechouart-Chassenon following the impact of a 6 billion ton meteorite strike over 200 million years ago. Many local buildings, including 'Lac de la Grange', have been constructed using this stone

Festivals and street markets are held throughout the summer, including evening markets where table and chairs are laid out and the locals and visitors mingle spending the evening eating and drinking. During the first week of August, the town celebrates its association with Richard the Lionheart and throughout the summer musical events are hosted at the Chateau

St Auvent (87310/approx 10 minutes drive) is an extremely picturesque village with an Auberge and ancient church. The 'Sanctuaire Notre Dame de la Paix' created by Abbot Paul Elias is described as the 'mini-Lourdes of Limousin' and has become a major attraction for pilgrims and passing visitors alike. 

Chassenon (16150/approx 10 minutes drive) has a large Archaeological park with Roman bath ruins, exhibitions and botanical gardens plus an arena of ancient games. 

Oradour-sur-Glane (87520/approx 30 minutes drive) is a moving memorial to the remind us all of the horrors of war. There is an interesting visitors centre in the town which provides lots of information and photos.

Nontron (24300/approx 45 minutes drive) this is a small town, set on a hillside in the Perigord Vert region. Known for its knife making, art and crafts, and medieval heritage it is an interesting place to explore. 

 

Find out all about our beautiful region, local events and things to do using the links below:

Limousin

Parc Naturel Perigord-Limousin

Haute-Vienne

Porte Ocean du Limousin

 

 

There are many places to eat in the local area including restaurants, bars, cafes & patisseries some of which are listed below:

(nb. most restaurants require reservations at least 24 hrs in advance)

 

Rochechouart (approx 8 mins drive)

L'oree des Vallees - bar/restaurant with terrace and small garden area

Hotel de France - small hotel with outdoor undercover eating area

L'Estaminet du Chateau - Local products in a very welcoming atmosphere

Le Table de Philou - traditional cuisine & homemade dishes

Delices - fast food eat in or takeaway

St Auvent (approx 10 mins drive)

Auberge de la Vallee de la Gorre - cosy restaurant offering nice food at good prices

St Junien (approx 15 mins drive)

Le Boeuf Rouge - hotel with restaurant specialising in local meats

Lauryvan - choice of auberge or restaurant tables (the restaurant menu is slightly more expensive)

La Table du Gantier - delicious french food, set menu & a la carte

Le Castel de Glane - great food and lovely atmosphere

Oradour sur Vayres (approx  20 mins drive)

La Bergerie - built in a restored barn, evening meals only

Chabanais (approx 25 mins drive)

Le Vieux Moulin - lovely food served in a recently converted mill

 

 

 

 

Leisure lakes - we have a few large lakes within easy driving distance

Base nautique de Verneuil, 16310 (approx 20 mins drive) lake with beach and cafe also water sports centre with rental of sports equipment including kayaks, paddle boards, small sail boats & mountain bikes

Massignac, 16310 (approx 20 minutes drive) has an adventure park including zip-line, bungee jump and ropes course in the trees 

Lac Saint Pardoux, 87640 (approx 1 hours drive) north of Limoges  is a huge lake with a beach, swimming area and many leisure activities http://www.lacsaintpardoux.fr/

Les Ribieres lake at Bussiere-Galant, 87230 (approx 25 minutes drive) has a picnic area, an adventure parc with velorail, mini-golf & tree-top adventure courses

Other small lakes can be found at Cognac-la-Foret, 87310 (approx 20 minutes drive) and St Mathieu, 87440 (approx 20 minutes drive)

Rivers - many beautiful rivers can be found in the region

Le Site Corot in Saint-Junien, 87200 (approx 20 minutes drive) is dedicated to the artist Jean-Baptiste Corot and offers a picturesque riverside ramble where you can stroll in the valley of the River Glane 

Aixe-sur-Vienne, 87700 (approx 25 minutes drive) is a very pretty village on the river where you can hire canoes to paddle down the Vienne. The region is famous for porcelaine ware so you can also visit the 'Maison de la Porcelaine' to shop or take the factory tour

Bellac, 87300 (approx 35 minutes drive) on the river Vincou is another beautiful place to spend some time taking a walk along the river or a stroll around the town

Brantome, 24310 (approx 1 hour drive) is circled by the Dronne. An historic tourist town which is full of interesting shops and places to eat next to the river. Boats offer trips along the river or canoes can be hired here to circumnavigate the town yourself.

Le Parc Bellevue in Limoges (approx 40 minutes drive) has children's rides, an amusement park and activities

Espace Hermeline - (approx 30 mins drive) a large lake with a zip line running across the water, also a ropes course, cycle paths, mini golf & other activities

Aventure Parc (approx 20 mins drive) part of the lakes of Haute Charente at Massignac, includes a zip-line, bungee jump and ropes course in the trees 

Parc Zoo Reynou in Le Vigen (approx 50 minutes drive) is a 100 hectare zooligical park housing over 600 animals and 120 plant species   

Aquarium du Limousin in Limoges (approx 45 minutes drive) a small but well done aquarium, with many different species, also a couple of 'hands on' things for the kids

Futuroscope in Poitiers (approx 2 hours drive) this 4D world of adventure is a wonderful family day out! 

Bike Hire - includes delivery to the gite & collection at the end of the hire period

Bourgoin Cognac - (approx 1 hr drive) distillery tour with tastings

Velorail -  (approx 35 mins drive) ride the railway track on a 5 person pedal wagon

Golf du Genet  (approx 30 mins drive) new 9 hole course with restaurant serving lunch & evening meals

Piegut market (24360/approx 30 mins drive) huge wednesday morning, town market selling local food & drinks, clothes, crafts and live chickens & ducks

La Grotte de Villars near Brantome (approx 1 hour drive) has pre-historic gardens and caves with paintings 

Maison de la Porcelain - Aixe sur Vienne (approx 25 mins drive) factory tour and shop selling fine Limoges porcelain