Lake VassiviÈre

Holiday Cottage to Rent

Local activities and attractions

Lake Vassivière is a haven for a multitude of water sports and outdoor leisure activities.  There is so much to do and see, it's a fantastic area for fun and a great educational experience for children as well. 

 The lake has a depth of 35m and is great for fishing for pike, perch, carp and black bass.

There are three locations for boat trips around lake Vassivière, one boat has an on board restaurant.  You can also hire a boat from Auphelle on lake Vassivière.

Around Lac de Vassivière there are 6 fully equipped sand beaches with playgrounds for children, there are volley-ball, basket ball, tennis courts and table tennis tables to be found around the lake.

During the holiday season bathing beaches are supervised.

Surrounding Lake Vassivière are old granite villages, forests of Pine, larch, oak and beech, rolling hills and heath lands with heather and juniper, peat bogs, springs, lakes and rivers.

There are four fully equipped harbours, sailing clubs and schools on Lake Vassivière, great for windsurfing, regattas and two areas reserved for motor-boating and water skiing.

Spoilt for choice!

  • Canoeing
    Tour Lake Vassivière by hiring a canoe or Kayak from the beach at Broussas for either day time or night time adventure.  Discover the environment, flora and fauna and watch the stars from July to August 10:00 to 12:00 then from 14:00 to 19:00.  Night time canoeing is from 22:00.  Ride down one of the rivers La Vienne, La Maulde or La Vézère around Limousin. www.vezerepassion.com.

    Canoeing and Kayak, Eymoutiers, open all year. Aubusson - Rafting, lessons, equipment rental Kayak Club Marchois - Swimming, lessons, river descending, equipment rental Kayak Club Tulliste - Eaux vives en Corrèze Tulle, Canoe, Kayak, aqua rando and rafting.  www.correze-eauxvives.com

  • Sailing
    Four fully equipped harbours, sailing clubs and schools on Lac de Vassivière, sailboard, regattas, two areas reserved for motor-boating and water skiing.  Nautique Club Limousin, the french school of sailing, situated on the beach at Vauveix one of the villages around Lac de Vassivière.

    • From beginner to experienced, all types of sailing, catamarans and optimists open weekends 14:00 to 18:00 from June to September and all day from July to August.  www.nautic-club-limousin.fr.st   Club Nautique de Vassivière, another village on the shores of Lac de Vassivière at Auphelle great for sports sailing, organising local, regional and national regattas.  Open from 1st April to 31st October.

  • Water skiing / Wake-board
    Ski Nautique Club, Auchaize, Lac de Vassivière.  From beginners to advanced the club has Ski, Slalom, baby Ski, Wake-board, jumps and Bare-foot with 3 boats a pontoon with 28 places and 10 hectares of safe marked skiing.  Competitions during the season.  Ages from 3 years and above.  Open from 1st June to 30th September / 10:00 to 13:00 then 15:00 to 19:00.

    Club Nautique de Vassivière, Auphelle, Lac de Vassivière, open 1st April to the 31st October. Ski Club de Vassivière, Pierrefitte, Lac de Vassivière, open weekends from June to September and all week days from July to August.  From beginner to experienced, baby ski from 3 years of age. www.skiclubvassiviere.free.fr
     
  • Horse Riding
    Le Centre Equestre de Vassivière en Limousin is situated on the edge of Lake Vassiviere, with a range of ponies and horses to suit all ages and riding experience.  Les Sagnes Masgrangeas Royère de Vassivière 23460 Tel /fax 05 55 64 72 12 / 05 55 64 92 83
     
  • Rope Course Challenge!
    The Parc d'Arbre en Arbre, Vassiviere provides a fantastic aerial rope course challenge set in the tall pine trees made up of 7 circuits with 90 games.  If you like climbing, this is for you.  It's very safe and even very young toddlers are catered for.  Open everyday from the end of June to the end of August 09:30 to 19:30.  Also open weekends from April to the end of September, week days need to be booked in advance.
    Tel / Fax: 05 55 67 94 23 Portable: 06 88 02 45 33.  www.arbreenarbrevassiviere.com. 
     
  • Wolf Park
    Not to be missed! Les Loups de Chabrières, near to Guéret, is a wolf park where you can observe wolves in a natural environment and discover more about the relationship between man and wolf and the many myths that surround this predator.  www.loups-chabrieres.com
     
  • See the future!
    Futuroscope is a famous theme park is  situated on the outskirts of Poitiers.   This park offers an excellent day out for all ages.  It has numerous attractions and rides based upon the world of film and 3-D imagery.  You can find out more about this exciting place by visiting their website www.futuroscope.com.
     
  • Oradour-sur-Glane
    Oradour-sur-Glane is situated just outside Limoges this village was the scene of a terrible massacre by the Waffen SS on 10th June 1944.  The village remains preserved as it was then in memory of those who died.  It now houses an exhibition retracing the 20 years of history that lead up to this barbaric act, from the expansion of nazism in 1933 to the Bordeaux trial in 1953.  An fascinating educational experience indeed. www.oradour.info.
     
  • Steam Train
    Take a stream train journey at Limoges.  With a variety of routes from Limoges to Eymoutiers and Ussel this is a great day out travelling back in time to the days of real trains!  Travel through the gorges of the Haute Vienne with some spectacular viaducts.  Stop offs and changeovers provide a variety of routes to make up your day out.  Old or young, you'll enjoy this.  www.trainvapeur.com.
     
  • Air Ballooning
     Go to nearby Lubersac and view the Correze region from a hot air balloon!  Journeys of 30 minutes and 1 hour, each flight can take a maximum of 4 passengers.  Flights are by appointment only - you choose your time. You also help to inflate the balloon.  Minimum age limit 7 years if accompanied by an adult.
    Open all year around - flights dependent on weather conditions.   www.montgolfiere.fr.
     
  • Giant Maze
    Le Labyrinthe at Gueret is the largest in the world and covers two hectares.   It borders a 3000 hectare forest.  There are 14 questions in the maze which, if answered correctly, enable you to exit more easily. There are also picnic areas in the park and giant games (including a giant chess board with pieces).
    Open every day 13h00 to 19h30 from 8 to 24 April, 1st July to 31st August, and
    Weekends and bank holidays from 1st September to 1st November.  www.labyrinthe-gueret.com.
     
  • Mountain biking /Cycling/4 x 4/Motorcross
    There are 1244 kilometres of marked trails for all levels of experience and it is hilly in parts.  Cycling is a national sport in France.  The Tour de France has come through the circuit around Lac de Vassivière which was named after the famous champion 'Raymond Pouldor' who was born there.
     
    VTT 'velo tout terrain' is a big passion in France with many events held throughout the year in and around this spectacular region.  Information can be obtained from local tourist offices
     
      Ahun - Mini-motorbike school
      Aubusson - Driving school and cross-country
      Budelière - Mini-motorbikes
      Royère-de-Vassivière: Quad, Motocross, Trial, Buggy, Jet Ski and 4x4, open all year.
      Peyrat-le-Château, motocross course, open on request
     
    www.vassiviereclubtoutterrain.com.
     
  • Rambling /Walking
    There are  over 1800kms of recognised footpaths throughout Limousin which make up an extensive network of sigh-posted and well-maintained peaceful byways to help you discover this beautiful and colourful landscape.  Maps, route cards and leaflets are all readily available  from the local tourist office in Eymoutiers and with the GR46 and GR440 passing right through Plazanet and along Lac de Faux its a walkers paradise.  www.lou-chami.com.
     
  • Skiing
    Skiing is possible about one hour’s drive away from Vassiviere.  www.pigerolleski.free or  www.ski-nordic-france.com.
     
  • Natural Health Spa
    Evaux-les-Bains is the only spa town in the Limousin and is situated just in the Creuse on the Limousin / Auvergne border in the “Pays de Combraille” an area of cattle breeders and farmers.  The actual hot water springs of Evaux les Bains are more than 350 million years old and are naturally between 40 and 60 degrees.  Its hot spring waters are ideal for the treatment of rheumatism and heavy legs as well as a variety of medical problems but also just to relax and refresh the body.  Click here for more information.
     
  •  Historic Châteaux
    There are 26 Châteaux in the Limousin region, including:-

      Château de Boussac, a 12th-15th century and were Georges Sands stayed. An inhabited magnificently furnished château. In summer, there is an exhibition of contemporary tapestries.

      Château de Chalus
      Most famous for the death of Richard the Lionheart, who died here from a crossbow wound while besieging the castle in 1199.   His entrails are buried in the castle chapel.

      Château de Rochechouart is a magnificent 15th century building has an exceptional collection of 16th century frescoes.

      Château de Sainte-Feyre, built in 1760 on the site of a castle a unique example of classic style in the region.  Beautiful mediaeval remains have survived, notably a defensive tower. The visit includes the grounds and some ten rooms.

      Château de Coussac-Bonneval, a lived in and furnished Château, one of the most beautiful in Limousin.

      Château de Villemonteix - Chénerailles, 15th century still lived in.

      Domaine de Banizette - Nouaille, collection of 15th century rural architecture.

    Contemporary Art
    Vassivière contemporary art centre is situated on the Ile de Vassivière (island of Vassivière) and is surrounded by an extensive sculpture park, with an exhibition centre open all year round.  It has a great café overlooking Lake Vassivière with a wonderful walk around the island discovering the works of art along the way.  www.ciapiledevassiviere.com
     
    Château de Rochechouart which houses the "Departmental Museum of Contemporary Art".
     
    Espace Paul Rebeyrolle on the outskirts of Eymoutiers, a permanent exhibition of 50 paintings and sculptures of Paul Rebeyrolle (1926-2005).  Open all year 10:00 til 18:00 (19:00 in summer) but closed 1st May and the last week of the year.
     
  • Fishing
    There are 3400km of trout rivers and streams throughout Limousin and a variety of coarse and game fishing.  The season for 1st category running water and managed lakes is 13th March to 19th September. 2nd category for running water and managed lakes is angling all year.  Lake Vassivière has a depth of 35mts, with fishing for pike, perch, carp and black bass for example.  Pike season runs from 26th January to 7th May.
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  • Golf
    St Lazare - Limoges, 18 holes, 6824 yards, sss:73. 2 km south of Limoges off the RN20.
     
    La Porcelaine Celiroux golf club.  An 18 hole 6602 yards par 72 course, situated 6 km North East of Limoges.
     
    Chammet golf course which overlooks the beautiful lake Chammet, a 9 holes course, 12.5km from Vallon Vert. Open all year.
     
    Golf de Bourganeuf, a 9 holes course, Open all year.
     
    Miniature golf at Auphelle, a 11 holes mini golf course, open from Easter to 1st November.

There is much more that could be added to the list but hopefully, this gives you a flavour of the exciting adventures and experiences that may be had around the area of Lake Vassivière.  There are also numerous high quality restaurants in the area as well as friendly local cafes and bars.  Whether you chose to rest and relax or to live each day full of action and adventure, one thing is assured; your holiday seem to be too short!