Things to See, Do and Eat near La Foret

Rita
Things to See, Do and Eat near La Foret

Restaurants within a 30 min drive

Resto Leon – a current favourite, a truly French restaurant. Run by a young couple, the chef likes to use locally sourced ingredients to produce traditional local dishes but with a modern twist. Fabulous, we’ve been for plat du jour and evening and it’s always pretty booked with locals. It looks a bit like an English pub inside and it does have an outdoor garden in the summer but it’s the food that’s the star here. Often there are dishes we have never seen or heard of and the waiting staff will try to patiently explain in English what they are, sometimes though, it’s best just to trust to the chef and go for it. The plat du jour is excellent value but it’s also nice to come for the evening vibe. Worth booking.
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Resto Léon
5 Rte de Belabre
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Resto Leon – a current favourite, a truly French restaurant. Run by a young couple, the chef likes to use locally sourced ingredients to produce traditional local dishes but with a modern twist. Fabulous, we’ve been for plat du jour and evening and it’s always pretty booked with locals. It looks a bit like an English pub inside and it does have an outdoor garden in the summer but it’s the food that’s the star here. Often there are dishes we have never seen or heard of and the waiting staff will try to patiently explain in English what they are, sometimes though, it’s best just to trust to the chef and go for it. The plat du jour is excellent value but it’s also nice to come for the evening vibe. Worth booking.
Café de la Place – this is the central brasserie in Argenton sur Creuse, the nearest, biggish, town to the house. Good brasserie offering a wide variety of typical French dishes, goat’s cheese salad, steak frites, omelettes, good quality food, the service is quite casual, you can stop for a beer or a coffee or a full three courser! Generally you don’t need to book and it’s open except Sunday evenings and Mondays.
Cafe de la place
3 Pl. de la République
Café de la Place – this is the central brasserie in Argenton sur Creuse, the nearest, biggish, town to the house. Good brasserie offering a wide variety of typical French dishes, goat’s cheese salad, steak frites, omelettes, good quality food, the service is quite casual, you can stop for a beer or a coffee or a full three courser! Generally you don’t need to book and it’s open except Sunday evenings and Mondays.
La Berrygouden – easily missed, this little creperie tucked back about halfway down Rue Gambetta, is great fun if you like pancakes! Both savoury or sweet pancakes are offered with a great variety of fillings. Worth a try.
La Berrygouden
31 Rue Gambetta
La Berrygouden – easily missed, this little creperie tucked back about halfway down Rue Gambetta, is great fun if you like pancakes! Both savoury or sweet pancakes are offered with a great variety of fillings. Worth a try.
Le Cheval Noir – this restaurant in a Logis Hotel has been in and out of favour with us over the years but we decided to try again this year and we were not disappointed. This one is for a bit of a dressy night, forget the prices, enjoy the food, meal out. Clearly they have a new chef in and you’re back to nice linen, attentive service, French speciality dishes and an extensive wine list.
Logis Hôtel le Cheval Noir
27 Rue Auclert Descottes
Le Cheval Noir – this restaurant in a Logis Hotel has been in and out of favour with us over the years but we decided to try again this year and we were not disappointed. This one is for a bit of a dressy night, forget the prices, enjoy the food, meal out. Clearly they have a new chef in and you’re back to nice linen, attentive service, French speciality dishes and an extensive wine list.
Auberge de Champ de Foire – this is a nice restaurant in nearby St Benoit du Sault. It’s has a very French, very local menu, we’ve been in during the evening and also tried the plat du jour, the evening crowd tend to be families out for the evening while the lunchtime crowd is local workers. It’s really great cooking and good service. No direct website so it’s worth a trip from the house to check opening times and would recommend booking.
Auberge Du Champ De Foire (Sarl)
Place du Champ de Foire
Auberge de Champ de Foire – this is a nice restaurant in nearby St Benoit du Sault. It’s has a very French, very local menu, we’ve been in during the evening and also tried the plat du jour, the evening crowd tend to be families out for the evening while the lunchtime crowd is local workers. It’s really great cooking and good service. No direct website so it’s worth a trip from the house to check opening times and would recommend booking.
Le Renaud Roux – this is an English run restaurant not too far from the house in Beaulieu. It’s a lovely family run restaurant and very welcoming. The food is a fusion of French cuisine and English gastropub, the set menu comes in around Euro18, very nicely cooked. On our last visit my husband was all over the home made onion rings with his fabulous burger while I loved, loved the mussels.
Le Renard Roux
Le Bourg
Le Renaud Roux – this is an English run restaurant not too far from the house in Beaulieu. It’s a lovely family run restaurant and very welcoming. The food is a fusion of French cuisine and English gastropub, the set menu comes in around Euro18, very nicely cooked. On our last visit my husband was all over the home made onion rings with his fabulous burger while I loved, loved the mussels.
Le Bosquet - another English run restaurant close by in Chaillac. Specialising in pizzas, the restaurant is run by Ruth and her husband, it’s very friendly and handy. They host a lot of entertainment too, don’t be surprised to see a quiz or music night advertised. About 15 min drive.
LE BOSQUET
1 Pl. de l'Église
Le Bosquet - another English run restaurant close by in Chaillac. Specialising in pizzas, the restaurant is run by Ruth and her husband, it’s very friendly and handy. They host a lot of entertainment too, don’t be surprised to see a quiz or music night advertised. About 15 min drive.

Chateaux, Museums and Churches

Although this is a quiet area of France, it is full of history and lots of, off the beaten track, gems. Here's a listing of places to visit you'll find within half an hour's drive. Do check the websites though, opening hours are variable!
Chateau Guillaume – medieval castle with an illustrious history. Famously, Eleanor of Aquitaine was born here in 1123. There is a guided tour in French but they do provide an English commentary to follow on paper. Very interesting and has beautiful grounds.
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Chateau Guillaume
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Chateau Guillaume – medieval castle with an illustrious history. Famously, Eleanor of Aquitaine was born here in 1123. There is a guided tour in French but they do provide an English commentary to follow on paper. Very interesting and has beautiful grounds.
Chateau de Sarzay – a medieval fortress that withstood the 100 years war. This is an interesting one to visit as the current owner is engaged in constant renovations of the castle and, rather than formal guided tours, you are at liberty to walk around the castle in your own time. This gives a real sense of the castle as a dwelling rather than historical site. https://sarzay.net/
Château de Sarzay
1 Le Château
Chateau de Sarzay – a medieval fortress that withstood the 100 years war. This is an interesting one to visit as the current owner is engaged in constant renovations of the castle and, rather than formal guided tours, you are at liberty to walk around the castle in your own time. This gives a real sense of the castle as a dwelling rather than historical site. https://sarzay.net/
Chateau de Gargillesse – Gargillesse itself is an absolute beauty of a village to visit, known as an artist’s town, it is wonderfully kept with lots of little alleyways to wander around and admire. The castle is ancient has survived many incarnations, the latest of which is the restauration of the chateau by an artist who has installed an art gallery inside. Well worth a visit. https://gargilesse.fr/historique-du-chateau-de-gargilesse/
Castle Gargilesse
Chateau de Gargillesse – Gargillesse itself is an absolute beauty of a village to visit, known as an artist’s town, it is wonderfully kept with lots of little alleyways to wander around and admire. The castle is ancient has survived many incarnations, the latest of which is the restauration of the chateau by an artist who has installed an art gallery inside. Well worth a visit. https://gargilesse.fr/historique-du-chateau-de-gargilesse/
Argentomagus Archaeological Museum – this national museum in Argenton Sur Creuse is on the site of a Gallo-Roman town, it includes an amphitheatre and roman villa. Very interesting, well worth a visit. https://www.argentomagus.fr/musee.html
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Musée archéologique d'Argentomagus
Les Mersans
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Argentomagus Archaeological Museum – this national museum in Argenton Sur Creuse is on the site of a Gallo-Roman town, it includes an amphitheatre and roman villa. Very interesting, well worth a visit. https://www.argentomagus.fr/musee.html
Musee de la Chemiserie et de l’Elegance Masculine – another museum in Argenton sur Creuse, this museum celebrates the town’s manufacturing history of shirtmaking. It houses information about the process, the machinery used and town’s vital position in the process. It seems unusual to have a whole museum about shirtmaking but it is quite interesting and sheds insight on the town itself. https://www.museedelachemiserie.fr/
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Musée de la Chemiserie et de l'Elégance Masculine
Rue Charles Brillaud
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Musee de la Chemiserie et de l’Elegance Masculine – another museum in Argenton sur Creuse, this museum celebrates the town’s manufacturing history of shirtmaking. It houses information about the process, the machinery used and town’s vital position in the process. It seems unusual to have a whole museum about shirtmaking but it is quite interesting and sheds insight on the town itself. https://www.museedelachemiserie.fr/
Maison de Georges Sands – one of many museums in the region chronicling the life of Georges Sands, one of France’s most famous authors. She lived in and around the region of the Berry and this house in Gargillesse was her summer retreat. Just a small house it gives and insight to her personal life and the pursuit for simplicity. http://www.maisondegeorgesand-gargilesse.fr/
Maison de George Sand
Le Bourg
Maison de Georges Sands – one of many museums in the region chronicling the life of Georges Sands, one of France’s most famous authors. She lived in and around the region of the Berry and this house in Gargillesse was her summer retreat. Just a small house it gives and insight to her personal life and the pursuit for simplicity. http://www.maisondegeorgesand-gargilesse.fr/
Espace Monet Rollinart – situated in Fresslines, another artist’s town, this art gallery celebrates Claude Monet’s stay in the Creuse. As you’ll see from the website, the gallery runs exhibitions of contemporary artists and has a permanent collection of art by Claude Monet and Maurice Rollinart. Well worth a visit to discover Claude Monet’s little known stay here. You can also take a walk along the river in the footsteps of Claude Monet and stop by the vantage points that inspired him. http://www.espace-monet-rollinat.com/
Centre Monet Rollinat
2 All. Fernand Maillaud
Espace Monet Rollinart – situated in Fresslines, another artist’s town, this art gallery celebrates Claude Monet’s stay in the Creuse. As you’ll see from the website, the gallery runs exhibitions of contemporary artists and has a permanent collection of art by Claude Monet and Maurice Rollinart. Well worth a visit to discover Claude Monet’s little known stay here. You can also take a walk along the river in the footsteps of Claude Monet and stop by the vantage points that inspired him. http://www.espace-monet-rollinat.com/
Eglise Notre Dame de Menoux – this is a fabulous little church that’s worth visiting for it’s amazing frescos created by Bolivian artist Carrasco in the 1960s. You can also visit his studio, a few minutes’ walk away, which reveals the artist behind the frescos. https://www.berryprovince.com/patrimoine-culturel/eglise-du-menoux-le-menoux/ https://gallerytartreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/12/notre-dame-de-le-menoux-frescos-by-jorge-carrasco/
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Église Notre-Dame du Menoux
15 Pl. Général Jean Pascaud
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Eglise Notre Dame de Menoux – this is a fabulous little church that’s worth visiting for it’s amazing frescos created by Bolivian artist Carrasco in the 1960s. You can also visit his studio, a few minutes’ walk away, which reveals the artist behind the frescos. https://www.berryprovince.com/patrimoine-culturel/eglise-du-menoux-le-menoux/ https://gallerytartreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/12/notre-dame-de-le-menoux-frescos-by-jorge-carrasco/
Abbaye de Saint Savin – it’s a little further out this one but it’s quite a major Abbey and contains the largest collection of medieval frescos in Europe so we’ve included it. It has been listed as a Unesco site and is worth a visit for the frescos alone. https://www.abbaye-saint-savin.fr/fr
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Abtei von Saint-Savin
Place de la Libération
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Abbaye de Saint Savin – it’s a little further out this one but it’s quite a major Abbey and contains the largest collection of medieval frescos in Europe so we’ve included it. It has been listed as a Unesco site and is worth a visit for the frescos alone. https://www.abbaye-saint-savin.fr/fr

Wild Swimming

The cottage is on the edge of the Brenne National Park which houses many lakes and rivers, where you will find lots of activities. We’ve featured some favourites but there are many more to discover.
Chaillac – Lac de la Rochegaudon – this is the nearest lake with swimming and activities facility to the cottage being less than 20 mins away. It has a man made beach, water activities and, of course, food. https://www.berryprovince.com/loisir/plan-deau-communal-de-la-roche-gaudon-chaillac/
Étang de Rochegaudon
Chaillac – Lac de la Rochegaudon – this is the nearest lake with swimming and activities facility to the cottage being less than 20 mins away. It has a man made beach, water activities and, of course, food. https://www.berryprovince.com/loisir/plan-deau-communal-de-la-roche-gaudon-chaillac/
Eguzon - Lac du Eguzon – another nearby lake, Eguzon always makes me think of the idea of 50s France for some reason! It has a large man made beach, lots of water activities and food. https://www.berryprovince.com/loisir/lac-deguzon-eguzon-chantome/
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Lac d'Éguzon
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Eguzon - Lac du Eguzon – another nearby lake, Eguzon always makes me think of the idea of 50s France for some reason! It has a large man made beach, lots of water activities and food. https://www.berryprovince.com/loisir/lac-deguzon-eguzon-chantome/
Lac de Saint Pardoux – about 40 mins away, this is a rather lovely lake with recently built facilities. It has three beaches and loads of water activities as well as a ‘go ape’ tree climbing style place. It also has a large swimming pool with indoor and outdoor pools with slides. Oh, and food! http://www.lacsaintpardoux.fr/bouger/parc-acrobatique-en-foret-114.html
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Lac de Saint-Pardoux
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Lac de Saint Pardoux – about 40 mins away, this is a rather lovely lake with recently built facilities. It has three beaches and loads of water activities as well as a ‘go ape’ tree climbing style place. It also has a large swimming pool with indoor and outdoor pools with slides. Oh, and food! http://www.lacsaintpardoux.fr/bouger/parc-acrobatique-en-foret-114.html
Lac Vassaviere – the final lake to mention, this is a major lake with an Art gallery in the centre! There are free boat taxis that will take you from one part of the lake to the other, and of course there’s swimming and lots of activities including ‘go ape’, walking and cycling trails. https://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/all-the-creuse/discover/places-of-interest/vassiviere-lake/#the-page-teaser
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Lac de Vassivière
D3
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Lac Vassaviere – the final lake to mention, this is a major lake with an Art gallery in the centre! There are free boat taxis that will take you from one part of the lake to the other, and of course there’s swimming and lots of activities including ‘go ape’, walking and cycling trails. https://www.tourisme-creuse.com/en/all-the-creuse/discover/places-of-interest/vassiviere-lake/#the-page-teaser

A little bit further afield...

While there’s plenty to keep you occupied in the house and surrounding area, there are also some great places to visit a bit afield or even for a day out. So, if you’re happy to rouse yourselves from the pool and general peace of the house, here’s some recommendations of places we’ve discovered over the years.
Georges Sand’s Chateau in Nohant Vic – this is Georges Sands country, France’s equivalent of Jane Austen. Her traces are all around this area, her summer house is in Gargilesse, but her main home was her Chateau at Nohant, about an hour’s drive away. The chateau is listed as a national monument and also has beautiful gardens. There is a tour in French but you can follow with an English translation. Very interesting insights to one of France’s great 19th century female figures including her impressive friends, including Chopin, Didier and Flaubert. http://www.maison-george-sand.fr/en/
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Haus von George Sand
2 place Sainte-Anne
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Georges Sand’s Chateau in Nohant Vic – this is Georges Sands country, France’s equivalent of Jane Austen. Her traces are all around this area, her summer house is in Gargilesse, but her main home was her Chateau at Nohant, about an hour’s drive away. The chateau is listed as a national monument and also has beautiful gardens. There is a tour in French but you can follow with an English translation. Very interesting insights to one of France’s great 19th century female figures including her impressive friends, including Chopin, Didier and Flaubert. http://www.maison-george-sand.fr/en/
La Chatre – is very close to Nohant Vic and worth a stop off if you’re going to go to the Georges Sands Chateau in Nohant. The local tourist office is very helpful and provides a walking guide for the town, there are little gems of old houses, a beautiful little park with redwood trees and sculptures and a Georges Sands museum. There are also some nice little shops to wander around and restaurants. https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/la-chatre-12534/tourist-office-chatre-6092.htm
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La Châtre
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La Chatre – is very close to Nohant Vic and worth a stop off if you’re going to go to the Georges Sands Chateau in Nohant. The local tourist office is very helpful and provides a walking guide for the town, there are little gems of old houses, a beautiful little park with redwood trees and sculptures and a Georges Sands museum. There are also some nice little shops to wander around and restaurants. https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/la-chatre-12534/tourist-office-chatre-6092.htm
Limoges – about an hour away, Limoges is the nearest City to the house and bursting with history. It’s worth a visit just for the shops and restaurants but it also has some very interesting places to visit, among them, Musee de Beaux Arts, Butcher's Quarter, Les Halles and a little tourist train. https://www.limoges-tourisme.com/en
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Limoges
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Limoges – about an hour away, Limoges is the nearest City to the house and bursting with history. It’s worth a visit just for the shops and restaurants but it also has some very interesting places to visit, among them, Musee de Beaux Arts, Butcher's Quarter, Les Halles and a little tourist train. https://www.limoges-tourisme.com/en
Futuroscope – Ok this is a good two hours, along country roads, away. However, it is a great family favourite, built in the 80s it was all about futuristic buildings and the future of film and the moving image, we saw our first 3D films there. It’s changed somewhat since then and, I would say, had a bit of Disneyfication. There are roller coasters now, hotels, all sorts, it’s like a transformation from a brooding teenager smoking Gauloises and thinking about the meaning of life to a frothy fresh faced adventurer shrieking with delight at the roller coasters. That said, there are lovely grounds, water fountains for the children to cool down in and there was a fantastic laser show at night. If you do this in one day, ensure you have enough fuel as it’s country roads home and the petrol stations are shut. https://www.futuroscope.com/en/
Avenue du Futuroscope
Avenue du Futuroscope
Futuroscope – Ok this is a good two hours, along country roads, away. However, it is a great family favourite, built in the 80s it was all about futuristic buildings and the future of film and the moving image, we saw our first 3D films there. It’s changed somewhat since then and, I would say, had a bit of Disneyfication. There are roller coasters now, hotels, all sorts, it’s like a transformation from a brooding teenager smoking Gauloises and thinking about the meaning of life to a frothy fresh faced adventurer shrieking with delight at the roller coasters. That said, there are lovely grounds, water fountains for the children to cool down in and there was a fantastic laser show at night. If you do this in one day, ensure you have enough fuel as it’s country roads home and the petrol stations are shut. https://www.futuroscope.com/en/
Aubusson – about an hour and a half away, Aubusson is famed as the centre of Tapestry Making in since the 14th century. The museum has a world class collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century tapestries. There are also contemporary tapestry workshops you can visit. It’s also quite a nice City to wander around with lovely architecture, shops and restaurants. https://www.cite-tapisserie.fr/en/cit%C3%A9-its-museum
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Aubusson
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Aubusson – about an hour and a half away, Aubusson is famed as the centre of Tapestry Making in since the 14th century. The museum has a world class collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century tapestries. There are also contemporary tapestry workshops you can visit. It’s also quite a nice City to wander around with lovely architecture, shops and restaurants. https://www.cite-tapisserie.fr/en/cit%C3%A9-its-museum
Giant Maize Labyrinth – about an hour away near Gueret, this was a bit of fun, it really is a giant Maze with lots of twists and turns, we did find the centre in the end! Giant Maize Labyrinth – about an hour away near Gueret, this was a bit of fun, it really is a giant Maze with lots of twists and turns, we did find the centre in the end!
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Riesiges Labyrinth der Monts de Gueret
Route de Bourganeuf
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Giant Maize Labyrinth – about an hour away near Gueret, this was a bit of fun, it really is a giant Maze with lots of twists and turns, we did find the centre in the end! Giant Maize Labyrinth – about an hour away near Gueret, this was a bit of fun, it really is a giant Maze with lots of twists and turns, we did find the centre in the end!