The Limousin Region is said to be the French Lake District, and certainly lives up to its name for us!

Apart from our own two small lakes, there are two Plans d'eau (a lake especially for swimming and fishing, often man-made and usually with a sandy beach) within a 5 minute drive of the Chateau (de Jonas in Ambazac and Saint Martin Terressus). The local plan d'eau is great for children to mess around in if they want to build sandcastles and have a dip and both have a café for ice-creams and snacks. There is also the lovely Lac Sainte Pardoux, that has won the thumbs up from all guests with and without children last season, and has a waterslide, pedalos, kayaking, waterskiing and bike and walking paths.

The larger lakes in the area are fantastic for swimming, fishing, water sports and walking, many lakes have trails designed for pony trekking. Many have supervised swimming areas. There are really too many to list here, although Lake Vassiviere must be mentioned for its sheer size and beauty.

Lake Vassiviere has plenty of facilities (including over 300km of walking trails) and many water sports available. It also has an island that boasts a sculpture park and Centre d',art Contemporain, which is designed in the image of a ship and lighthouse. There is a café on the island. The art museum here is impressive and the setting makes it an unforgettable experience. You can also take a boat trip on the lake (in season).

There are also watersports including canoeing, kayaking, rafting, water polo and waterskiing on the main river of the region, the majestic Vienne.

The Taurion is a very pretty river running through our valley, and can be glimpsed often whilst walking or when going for a drive.

The stunning Gimmel-les-Cascades is the site of three waterfalls ranging from a 45m drop to 60m drop, the last, called Queue de Cheval (Pony Tail), into a deep ravine, and is really worth the walk to enjoy. Nearby, there is also the Etang de Brach with lovely bathing beaches, and boating.

There is an immense nature reserve, the Parc Naturel Regional Perigord-Limousin that would take even the dedicated hiker a few weeks to explore (1660sqkm). The Reserve has loads of wildlife and, like the region in general, is of particular note for birdlife.

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There are also watersports including canoeing, kayaking, rafting, water polo and waterskiing on the main river of the region, the majestic Vienne.

The Taurion is a very pretty river running through our valley, and can be glimpsed often whilst walking or when going for a drive.

The stunning Gimmel-les-Cascades is the site of three waterfalls ranging from a 45m drop to 60m drop, the last, called Queue de Cheval (Pony Tail), into a deep ravine, and is really worth the walk to enjoy. Nearby, there is also the Etang de Brach with lovely bathing beaches, and boating.

There is an immense nature reserve, the Parc Naturel Regional Perigord-Limousin that would take even the dedicated hiker a few weeks to explore (1660sqkm). The Reserve has loads of wildlife and, like the region in general, is of particular note for birdlife.