Region: Limousin and Auvergne

These two quiet and deeply rural provinces are right in the centre of France and are surrounded by the tourist regions of the Loire Valley, the Dordogne and the Auverne. Unknown to many, it is often ‘forgotten territory’ but by some it’s considered close to paradise.The Auvergne is set in the heart of the Massif Central that was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions and is a dramatic region of awe-inspiring non-active volcanoes, lakes, sparkling rivers, green valleys and forests. There are also numerous underground streams that have carved out extensive and fantastic cave systems, for which the region is famous. It is a wonderful destination for nature lovers, those who enjoy active outdoor pursuits or for people who want to relax at spa resorts. Limousin is an unspoilt, thinly populated region on the western side of the Massif Central. With hills and gorges and lush green meadows, numerous ancient village churches dot the landscape as well as more imposing abbey churches and fortresses. The many lakes and rivers of the Limousin provide endless possibilities for canoeing, sailing, wind-surfing and other watersports. To the south, fortified cities cling to mountain sides, home to many religious events and legends.

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Listed below are a selection of self catering rentals available in Limousin and Auvergne from our associate site jmlvillas.com CLICK ON PICTURES FOR MORE DETAILS -

If you need to use the jmlvillas.com search facility CLICK HERE and you will go to our main site and see all these properties in greater detail ) you then book direct with the owners and save money

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Vacances Vertes les Belles, St Germain les Belles -Haute-Vienne, Limousin: Sleeps up to 14 Whether you wish to rent the house as a self-catering group or participate in one of our environmental courses (Organic Vegetable Gardening & Painting Holidays) you will find this the perfect base for a relaxing holiday. This attractive village gite has been entirely renovated and furnished to a high standard. The truly beautiful interior is clean and bright, with many original features, stunning oak flooring and original artwork. We can accommodate up to 14 people within the 6 bedrooms – 5 of which have private bathrooms. The house also has a large private garden and terrace, with views out onto open countryside and buttercup meadows. We are conveniently situated in the charming village of St Germain les Belles and within a few minutes, you will find local shops, restaurants, swimming lake and beautiful country walks. This unspoilt region of France is ideal for families or groups of bird-watchers, artists, canoeists, walkers, cyclists... In fact anyone who loves nature!

More Information: St Germain les Belles is a perfect example of a fine Limousin village — peaceful, attractive and just seconds away from beautiful rolling countryside. It also boasts many facilities: 2 Bar/restaurants — the friendly village bar has an adjoining restaurant with outside seating in summer. There is another excellent first-class restaurant with set lunches and evening menus. L'epicerie – There are 2 local general grocery shops selling everything from fresh fruit and veg. to quality local cheeses and wines. Boucherie — very high quality butcher who sells locally raised meat. 2 Boulangeries — live the dream of having warm croissants for breakfast! Next to the village campsite is the 5-hectare tranquil village lake and sandy beach, with supervised swimming and pedalo hire throughout the summer. There is also an adjacent play area for the kids. The campsite bar / restaurant is open to the public in the summer and also has some fantastic music / themed nights. The beautiful 14th century medieval village church. Guided tours are available on request. Le Mairie — the staff at the village mayor's office are extremely helpful and are happy to answer any questions that you may have during your stay.

Their salle des fetes committee arranges a number of festivals, markets, fetes, dances, cinema showings and childrens' activities all year round. The village also boasts a bank, a limited railway service to Limoges, an estate agent, a petrol station, a pharmacy and 2 recycling points. Limousin has been called the 'French Lake District' but it has a beauty and charm all of its own. It is incredibly rural and peaceful with magical scenery. There are few busy roads, a huge network of meandering country walks, rolling hills, forests, lakes..... You will certainly be able to experience a slower pace of life and relax into your holiday. Many of our surrounding villages have an etang, or swimming lake — venture further a field and you can find some spectacular larger lakes; Lake Vassiviere (45 minutes from St Germain les Belles) for example, is Europe's largest man-made lake and is a popular tourist destination for many Europeans. CLICK ON PICTURE FOR MORE DETAILS & TO CONTACT THE OWNER

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Ruisseau d'Amont, Correze Traditional villa in a mediaeval village near the Dordogne, France: Sleeps up to 7 in 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Washing machine Room fans Pets welcome Shops nearby Bars nearby TV Close to River. The property is a large traditional granite house in the picturesque mediaeval village of Corrèze, which is on the Corrèze river in Southern Limousin. It was built on three floors and has four bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, a balcony with space for outdoor dining, attractive gardens and a barbeque. The house has oil fired central heating throughout, includes a TV, DVD system and video, stereo, cooker, microwave and washing machine, and offers comfortable accommodation for up to six guests. The house is situated on the edge of the village but is still only 300m from the village centre, with various shops, bars and restaurants. It's also perfectly situated for a number of country walks from the front door. The falls of Gimel-les-Cascades are a ten-minute drive away, and attractions like the Dordogne River, Rocamadour, Collonges-la-Rouge, Tours-de-Merle and Les Monédières are all within easy reach, as are towns like Tulle, Brive, Treignac and Beaulieu. Local Information As well as beautiful local countryside and many pretty villages, the waterfalls at Gimel-les-Cascade as well as the village itself should be checked-out; and Correze is on the edge of the Circuit-des-Monédières, an area of natural beauty including a range of hills with stunning panoramic view Leisure Facilities Walking, cycling, sightseeing. There is a swimming pool just a few minutes walk away and there are bathing beaches at several local lakes. There are tennis courts in the village. CLICK ON PICTURE FOR MORE DETAILS & TO CONTACT THE OWNER

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