Limousin

An area of outstanding beauty
Limousin, located to the west of the Massif Central, is an area of unspoilt rolling countryside and traditional agriculture. Heavy industry is virtually non-existent. There are a total of seven villages holding the coveted title of ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’. There are only 42 inhabitants for every square kilometre, which is very sparsely populated when compared to the rest of France (and even less so when compared to Southern England!)
A pleasant surprise
The region’s popularity with tourists and second homeowners has come as a surprise to many as it’s so far away from the coast. However, the deep forests and serene lakes are enough to lure anyone seeking a relaxing and picturesque place to stay.

There are numerous important rivers in the Limousin such as the Dordogne, Vienne, Creuse and Cher and the region is well-known for the high-quality of its water and for offering first class fishing.

The Limousin region has a damper and milder climate than its neighbours, although summer temperatures often exceed 32 degrees Celsius but winters can often be long and cold, especially in the higher areas where snow is not uncommon.

Yet perhaps due to its rural character, the Limousin region has maintained its traditional music, with ancient instruments such as the bagpipe and hurdy-gurdy still remaining popular today.

Known affectionately as the land of a 1000 lakes and rivers, it actually has far more than this within the Limousin region and has become a very popular place to do carp fishing, cat fishing, pike fishing and course fishing.

Limoges, the capital of Limousin and in the Haute-Vienne department is the birthplace of Renoir and with its picture postcard scenery it is easy to see why the Haute-Vienne continues to attract artists, sculptors and painters today.

Did you know that the limousine car is named after the region because the inhabitants wore a hood with a profile perceived to be similar to that of the car!

There is so much to do in the Limousin region, from fishing to water sports, or for those of you who enjoy history, the many museums, quaint villages and monuments will keep you and your family occupied for the duration of your visit to France.
Easy access
The easiest route to the Limousin region from the UK is to fly into Limoges. Alternatively, the fast and efficient TGV train service will take you directly to the area from Paris.
A wide choice of properties at low prices
The other major attraction of Limousin are, of course, the extremely affordable house prices. The properties here are both diverse and full of character. You should have no problem finding properties with large gardens or areas of land.
Gaining recognition as a property hotspot
In the past, foreign buyers have not found the Limousin area particularly convenient. However, the decline in agriculture and the rise in budget airlines have contributed to its transformation into one of the most ideal places to buy in France. Recently, Channel Four’s ‘A place in the Sun’ has named it the 5th best place to buy abroad due to its “beautiful scenery and quiet farming villages as yet relatively undiscovered”. Prices are also very reasonable.