Activities

At Memanat, we offer peace and tranquillity, and the chance to explore our park, woods and river. The Taurion is a good Trout and course fishing river and we own about a kilometre of bank. Our leisure area in a walled garden overlooking the park contains a 30ft x 20ft heated swimming pool and childrens swings. The area is a walkers and cyclists paradise, with miles of green lanes and tracks. We have a number of mountain bikes available for our guests. There is a very good equestrian centre at Chavanat which is approximately 2km from Memanat. Other local activities include sailing, water-skiing, tennis and golf.

In the chateau we offer complementary therapy treatments. Our qualified (I.T.E.C, Guild of Professional practitioners) and very experienced British therapist is available, by appointment, to offer Reflexology, Reiki or Indian Head Massage treatments. Reflexology…The ancient art of foot or hand acupressure is relaxing and balancing and can ease a number of health problems. Reiki…The Jananese energy therapy to balance and harmonise the chakras of the body, stimulate the body's own ability to heal and evoke a sense of well-being or spiritual development. Indian head massage…the Ayurvedic pick-me-up. A relaxing, seated massage of the back, neck, head and face, ideal as a stimulant to aid tired minds or to calm headache and tense muscle problems.

For further information on alternative therapies and associated activities – click here

This part of the Creuse has maintained its rural character making driving a pleasure, with trips to historic towns, local markets and other places of interest an enjoyable experience. It is a haven for ramblers, cyclists and country lovers with miles of green lanes, river walks, lakes and woods. Visit the local markets and purchase some of the fresh produce on offer, or maybe even take a trip to one of the many antique fairs or Brocante shops to see if you can find a bargain or two.

Aubusson is a beautiful medieval town, steeped in history and famous for its tapestries and carpets. From the richness of the Middle Ages to the hanging tapestry created for the Olympics in 2000, the wonderful know-how of the Aubusson tapestry weavers has transcended through time since the 6th century. Aubusson is situated along the valley of the Creuse River. The town is charming with many architectural features from the Middle Ages including strange turrets, carved windows and doorways. The "Maison du Tapissier" (closed on a Tuesday) houses permanent and temporary exhibitions in its spacious, well-lit halls, which trace the history of tapestry. Also worth a visit are the 'Vieux Tapissier', a 15th Century house with weavers workshops and tapestry making demonstrations, the ruined fortified château, the 13th Century church of Sainte Croix, the clock tower, and the old bridge, Le Pont de la Terrade.
Modern day Aubusson has restaurants, museums, theatre, sport, cinema and shops. It is also famous for the markets held every Saturday morning. Dining out is always a great pleasure and the area is justifiably renowned for its specialities of Limousin beef, Foie Gras, Chestnuts, Champignons and Clafoutis.

The City of Limoges, the capital of the Limousin, is 1 hour away and famed for its fine china and porcelain. The city boasts a long history from Gallo-Roman times and contains many museums, sites of cultural interest, markets, shops and cafes. Explore the old city, the cathedral, museums, aquarium and botanical gardens, or shop for those special porcelain gifts.

To show you some of the interesting things you can do and see on your visit to this spectacular part of the world we have listed them here:

Lake Vassiviere

Lake Vassiviere is situated just 20 km to the south of Memanat and is one of the largest lakes in France, covering 2,470 acres with 45km of lakeside to explore. Cafes, bars, restaurants and picnic areas line the lakeside.

On the vast fresh water lake you can windsurf, canoe, waterski, sail, go on a boat excursion or fish. There are bathing beaches and paths for rambling, riding or cycling. Horses and cycles can be hired locally.

Near the shores of Lac Vassivière is the Centre Équestre de Vassivière.. The centre welcomes many British riders. Just let them know what standard you are and they will find a horse to suit. Tel: 00 33 (0)5 55 64 72 12 - booking essential.

There is a sculpture park for cultural strolls through woods and the island in the middle of the lake is home to an ambitious Contemporary Art museum designed by the late Aldo Rossi.

Vassiviere Island

The island was created following construction of a hydro-electric dam in 1949 thus flooding the upper reaches of the Maulde River valley to form the lake we see today.

The island itself covers 173 acres of land, formerly part of vast estates once owned by the Vassiviere family whose stately home still stands on the original site.

Vassiviere Contemporary Art Centre

The art centre was designed by the architects Aldo Rossi and Xavier Fabre in 1986 - 1987. The project is part of both a national and local desire to develop a cultural pole in the area.

The centre is composed of several exhibition rooms where temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year, an artists studio, a bookshop, a library, a café open from April to October and other spaces where the education programme is held.
Aldo Rossi see's the centre's lighthouse tower as a comtemplative observation point, extended horizontally by the Art Centre's building which provides a place for study, creative activities and exhibitions.

Close to Vassiviere, the XVIIIc Maison des Chevaliers at Gentioux - Pigerolles, takes you back into the middle ages. Built by the masons of the Creuse, the inside, with it's turning stone staircase and carved fireplaces, belies the stern exterior.

Parc d'Arbre en Arbre

Near Vassiviere you can move from tree to tree on a safe and remarkable course suited to all.

An aerial rope course challenge made up of 7 daring circuits including 90 games. Giant swings, tyrolien zip, suspension bridges …to discover new and thrilling sensations.

All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult along the junior / adult routes. Adult supervision on the ground for the childrens courses. Casual clothes and shoes required.

To visit the Parc d'Arbre en Arbre website, click here.

Wolf Park

Le parc Animalier near Gueret is in the middle of a protected nature reserve and allows you to meet this fantastic animal in it's wild environment.

There are 7 pens and the park accommodates about 30 wolves of different origins. You can discover European wolves in the 'pen of Rocs', black wolves from Alberta and also white wolves from Mackenzie in Canada.

The 'pen of Sources' which covers 20,000m2 of the forest, ensures you a scientific observation of the European wolf. There are also other smaller pens which let you see subspecies which are being introduced to the park.

• You can also see a unique exhibition which helps you understand the Wolves past, behaviour and it's relation to humans.
• You can also see a ficticious wolf, the one from tales and myths and then compare it to the real ones!
  
• You can also visit the Observatory in the park which opens an inquiring eye on the depths of the universe so that you can learn and understand our environment.

To visit the Wolf Park website, click here.

Oradour-sur-Glane, Centre de la Memoire

In June 1944 a Waffen SS unit of the 'Das Reich' division encircled the village of Oradour-sur-Glane. 642, men, women and children were murdered by weapons and fire.

To preserve the memory of this drama, the martyr village of Oradour-sur-glane has been preserved in the same state since 1944. To understand why, the centre de la memoire presents exhibitions retracing the events leading up to this barbaric act.

There are five exhibition halls to help you understand the historic reality exemplified by Oradour. There are archived documents, testimonies, anecdotes, slides and films that shed light on the events.

When last checked, the admission price ranges from 4€ to 6€ and is open seven days per week. Please check prices and opening times prior to visiting.

To visit Centre de la Memoire website, click here.

Vulcania European Volcano Park

Vulcania is a science park dedicated to volcanoes, earth sciences and science of the universe. You are encouraged to tour all the different exhibitions as many times as you would like during your visit.

Beyond the visible terrestrial volcanoes that are now familiar to us all, there are places that are still out of reach, where a multitude of unsuspected fires burn. You are invited to cross the thresholds that lead to the inaccessible worlds. Passing through renovated areas you can travel from the centre of the earth to underwater abysses, before experiencing the privilege of entering the extra-terrestrial volcanoes.

There are several resteraunts and snack bars to eat in.

To visit the Vulcania website, click here.

Musee National De Porcelaine

The Limoge museum was founded in 1845 and run, from 1865, by Adrian Dubouche. As well as being a business man, Adrian was a cultured philanthropist and devoted part of his fortune to building up this encyclopaedic collection in such a way that it came to reflect the history of fine arts, from all over the world. Limoge became a national museum in 1881 and houses 11,000 works today.

Ceramics belong to the category of fire arts in the same way as glass and enamel do. There are four important families in ceramics, pottery, faience, stoneware and porcelain.

One of the rooms is devoted to the various stages of ceramic making.

Guided visits are available by appointment. Conferences on ceramics are available on a Sunday and Monday afternoon. The museum is closed every Tuesday.

To visit the Musee National De Porceline website, click here.