Are you going to take you to the Limousin? So take the time to visit the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches
At the end of the Massif Central is the tray of Millevaches. We can visit Millevaches Regional Natural Park for several reasons. A limousin geological treasure, it houses unique landscapes, fauna and flora in a preserved environment. As a project in 1960, he only saw the day in 2004. Indeed, if all the actors agreed on the interest of protecting the remarkable site of the Millevaches Plateau, its limits have long been debated, as have the fears of local farmers and elected officials.
Composed of 124 municipalities, the final project covers a large part of the Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne, on a surface of 3,143 km2. Today protected regional natural park, it welcomes visitors looking for nature every year. Discover this remarkable territory in our comprehensive guide to Millevaches Regional Natural Park.
INFORMATION SAISON 2020
Due to the health crisis associated with the VID-19 epidemic, the modalities of bivouac change somewhat. Thus:
- It will not be possible to rent equipment throughout the summer ;
- Breakfasts will be prohibited ;
- Opening times also change . It will indeed have to happen before 6 p.m. . For a later arrival, it is imperative contact the Millevaches PNR ;
- Payment will only be made by cheques and cash during opening hours.
You can find all the detailed information about the official park site .
The Regional Natural Park of Millevaches in a few words
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Bousquet de Rouvex
Occupyed from the paleolithic, and exploited from Gaul, Millevaches keeps many traces of this primitive presence. Thus, it is possible to meet with several tumulus walks, and Gallo-Roman ruins, testimonies of a rich Celtic past.
Several religious communities came to settle on the plateau of Millevaches in the Middle Ages. They left there as a legacy a network of bell tower-mur churches, typically limousines.
But the plateau of Millevaches , it is above all a remarkable natural site, classified Natura 2000. Thus, protected areas are legion, such as the peatlands of Negarioux-Malsagne, Bonnefond and Péret-Bel Air. The Territory also has 110 ZNIEFF (Funistic and Floristic Ecological Interest), 2 natural reserves and 28 major ecological sites.
The water is present everywhere on what was once called the limousine mountain. Cascades, rivers, ponds and lakes, like Vassivière, have shaped this granitic land. Visitors can thus observe a succession of plateaus, hills, and summits, between 350 and 1,000 meters of altitude.
Today, this rural territory with a harsh climate that was long isolated by lack of communication, continues to perpetuate its agricultural traditions, including within the park. The breeding of the famous breed of limousine cows, and forestry hold a prominent place.
1. Hiking
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Andy Jenner
The best way to visit the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches is certainly the walk. Boiled with your most beautiful hiking shoes, go to discover this exceptional territory. On site you will find dozens of marked trails, adapted to the level of each.
Families, or athletes, all in their place in the Millevaches Plateau. Some discovery or playful circuits offer several informative panels to pierce the mysteries of the limousine region.
Want an activity that comes out of the ordinary and to dust out the orientation races? Why don't you try geocaching alone or with a family? About thirty caches are scattered through the park, all grouped on the terra-aventura site. Fully dedicated to the activity and set up by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, it is free and allows to select several parameters, such as a level of difficulty or a distance. A good way to motivate children to discover the pleasures of hiking.
Good to know: the house of the park, located in Millevaches, offers three hiking trails: the Puy des Pouges, the peatlands of the Longeyroux, and the pond of the Oussines.
2. The bike
Credit Photo – Flickr : Fabrice Denis
Millevaches Regional Natural Park is ideally suited for cycling, or mountain biking. Beginners, speed lovers or travelling travelers, it forms an ideal playground, landscapes, and difficulties, varied.
Veterinarians will appreciate the well-equipped trails that extend over 1,000 km and where points of interest are not missing. It is also possible to visit the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches for several days while taking place in the small villages that border the lakes and peatlands.
Modalities
Tourist offices, ski resorts and different leisure bases scattered throughout the territory rent equipment for the cycle. You will find electric bikes, mountain bikes, trailers, helmets, child seats, etc. However, the bags are rarely provided.
The Millevaches Plateau is hilly, and it is easy to lose. So plan to drink and eat in sufficient quantity, as well as a paper IGN card: it is very likely that a GPS will encounter difficulties in locating you.
At what price
The bike rental and vtt on the Millevaches plateau costs between 5€ and 50€ day, depending on the type of equipment chosen.
3. Nordic activities
Credit Photo – Wikipedia : Babsy
Most of the communes within the Millevaches are between 500 and 900 metres of altitude, allowing them to benefit from medium snow. However, it is still possible to visit Millevaches Park in cross-country skiing, snowshoes or sled during the winter.
Thus, the ski areas of Chaudec and Saint-Sétiers, in Corrèze, and Gentioux-Pigerolles, on the Creuse side, do not lack activities for the whole family. Located every three to 900 meters above sea level, they welcome beginner skiers, Nordic hikers and skiers on 3 to 90 kilometers of slopes.
At what price
Access to the Chadebec slopes costs 2€ per person, adult or child. Snowshoe rental costs between 3€ and 7€ , family package (2 adults and 2 children) is charged 15€ . The cross-country ski rental, as for it, is 5€ by child and 10€ per adult, family package to 20€ .
Access to the Saint-Setiers station costs 14€ by adult.
Good to know: access to the Gentioux-Pigerolles trails is completely free!
4. The plateau seen from above
Photo credit: Flickr – El Guanche
A few minutes' time, fly over Millevaches Regional Natural Park in Paragliding or ULM. What better way to enjoy an exceptional view of the granite plateau, its reliefs and many water areas? Alone or in tandem, from 5 years old, your stay in limousine is the opportunity to make your baptism of air.
Modalities
Children's flights exclusively in the morning . For other flights, they may take place at any time of day, as long as the ascending currents are present and favourable. Indeed, paragliding is dependent on climate conditions!
To enjoy your flight, plan warm clothes, sunglasses, whatever the season.
At what price
A paragliding flight above the Millevaches plateau costs between 60€ and 130€ depending on the duration chosen. Photos of the flight or video are available at an additional cost 25€ .
5. One night in Millevaches Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Bruno Jargot
What if you take advantage of the park under a starry night? A bivouac area has been built near the educational space in Millevaches, and welcomes hikers on foot or by bike for a well-deserved stop. The campers find four wooden platforms on which to isolate their tents from the ground, as well as a drinking water point and a fireplace-way with grill. Dry toilets are also available.
In the summer, the Maison du Parc organizes star observation evenings, with equipment ready. The ideal opportunity to observe the sky away from the light pollution, and perhaps to see the stars filtering.
Note: this is the only place of bivouac authorized in the park.
Modalities
The reservation is mandatory , and is done directly at the park house, by email or by phone. Due to altitude (900 meters), think about taking hot equipment.
At what price
A night of bivouac costs 5,70€ by adult, free for children. It is possible to rent equipment (tente, down, mattresses) at the park house for 5€ per person, and book a breakfast based on local products at the cost of 4€ per person.
6. Aquatic activities
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Astrid Hinderks
The Millevaches Plateau is a territory of water, so it naturally lends itself to different aquatic activities. The lake of Vassivière thus welcomes sailors, lovers of veils, strong sensations, and families looking for a shaded swimming place.
You can practice canoeing, including nighttime, wakeboarding, or buoy. The naturists will also find their account with a reserved and intimate space on the Chassagnas peninsula.
The Lacs de Sèchemailles, Saint-Hélène-Bujaleuf, and Bariousses also offer numerous opportunities for swimming and nautical leisure, such as the aron.
As for cascades, the choice is wide as well. The Augerolles are easily accessible to all, just like the pond circuit. They are an opportunity to walk at the expense and make small dams. Reserved to the good walkers, the Tine waterfall also offers nice views.
Access to most sites is free, however, the price of rentals varies depending on the type of leisure and location.
Loading comments ...