The village lies just over the border between Limousin and Poitou-Charente in Department 87 and the local area is full of a range of activities and tourist attractions, whether you fancy mooching around quaint and peaceful medieval towns, action packed sports or gentle leisure activities or simply lazing around enjoying fine food and wine. This largely undiscovered region, in the heart of rural France, can certainly provide all these things and more. |
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15 minutes away lies the Source of the Braume which is a spectacular place to visit. A gentle walk through a wood takes you down to the River Braume and there you can stroll along the bank and scramble over the rocks until you reach the bridge and a particularly pretty picnic area, which we would be very pleased to supply. In summer, the deep rock pools are perfect to splash
and paddle around in. If you enjoy more artistic activities it is an excellent area to sit and sketch or paint and it also provides some beautiful photographic scenery. We would be very happy to provide you with materials and access to a colour printer and photographic software.
| Of the local towns, one of our particular favourites is Montmorillon which holds a superb local market on Wednesdays. It has a great range of shops and restaurants, as well as numerous picturesque walks around the older parts of the town. There is even a wonderful ‘brocante’ (antique shop) which sells a range of bric-a-brac and furniture. There are plenty of restaurants in Montmorillon including a delightful tea-room with a terrace that overlooks the river.
There is also an excellent Chinese and an Indian restaurant. Montmorillon also has a very large hypermarket and here you can buy anything and everything that you can’t get in England plus a huge range of inexpensive wines. |
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There are always many other activities happening in Montmorillon for example, concerts and theatrical productions.
Near to Thiat is the busy market town of Bussiere Poitevine which holds a weekly livestock market every Tuesday as well as a more general market on Saturdays.
Here also is another of our favourite restaurants
- La Poste where you can sample seasonal rural French cooking at it’s best (and very reasonable prices!). We would be very happy to make reservations for you if required.
The medieval town of Le Dorat is another favourite of ours and is considered one of the most important and historic towns of the Limousin. It has an amazing church with a very special feature which has to be heard to be believed! There are 2 restaurants that we really like. La Marmite is slightly more expensive but great for special occasions and opposite, is La Commerce where you can eat pizza or more traditional french food, at very a good price. Near the centre of the town is a small ‘brocante’ which has an interesting range of bric-a-brac and furniture.
Approximately 15 minutes from Le Dorat is Bellac which is the Regional centre of the Haute-Vienne. Here you will find lots of shops, bars and cafes in its narrow cobbled streets and squares which overlook the valley through which the river Vincou flows. Bellac holds a large market every Saturday and in July there is an annual drama festival to celebrate the works of Jean Giraudoux.
45 minutes from Thiat is the very beautiful town of Chauvigny. The upper part of the town boasts an impressive medieval ruined castle and there are many events held there over the year. The lower part of the town follows the path of the Vienne river. It is well worth spending a Saturday at Chauvigny as they hold one of the most impressive local markets there and afterwards we would recommend an amazing lunch at Le Lion D’or restaurant followed by some spectacular sight seeing at the castle. Also worth a visit is the nearby Baronial chateau where they hold wonderful falconry displays.
We would be happy to let you know about the other wonderful places to visit and things to do, during your stay with us, especially if they are weather dependant! |
