Fransèches walks

Masgot is a hamlet adorned with original sculptures created in the 19th century by a single man, the stonemason François Michaud, but it is also a hamlet surrounded by footpaths and woodland trails that can be explored even in hot weather. A lovely little walk that also takes you through the hamlet of Montgermain, where you can admire its venerable 400-year-old lime tree. The route is almost entirely off-road, so you can let your dog run free.

An easy route, following tracks, paths and short stretches of road, often shaded, allowing you to discover various hamlets in the Donzeil area.

Starting from Sous-Parsat, this hike offers the opportunity to admire the amazing frescoes and stained glass windows of the village's Saint-Thomas Church, to stop at Mareilles in front of the "cylindrical" fountain and its pretty basin, and to walk through the undergrowth or across the bocage.

The banks of the Banize and Thaurion are truly enchanting! A visual treat that slows down your average speed: it's impossible not to stop repeatedly to contemplate the course of these two rivers, the balanced granite boulders or the mini waterfall that wants to play the big one.

This is an opportunity to discover a rather secret path leading to the impressive Poirier Waterfall. Here, the Thaurion becomes a bubbling river that bounces off large granite boulders. This walk will also take you across two footbridges over the Thaurion, between twin ponds, along paths through woods and undergrowth, and across meadows.

A pleasant little commemorative walk starting from Les Châtres or Maisonnisses, exploring the Bois du Thouraud and the site of the first Creuse maquis, in memory of the maquisards who fell on 7 September 1943, and the upper reaches of the Gartempe near its source, the Pierre Fade.

Starting from the Martinèche car park, Martin Nadaud, the most famous mason in the Creuse, invites you to follow the paths of his childhood to discover the built and natural heritage of the commune of Soubrebost in half a day.

A short, easy walk, ideal for families. There are a few roads to take at the start, but the rest of the route is mainly along paths or tracks. It’s also a chance to discover the little church in Savennes, with its sky-blue ceiling and peaceful atmosphere… if you can find the key to get in… (*)

West of Felletin, starting from the hamlet of Verminier, this route crosses forests, woods, meadows and hamlets. You will cross small streams and walk along ridges that often offer unobstructed views. There are few roads on this walk, but there are a few climbs to warm up your legs.

This hike allows you to explore the northern slope of the Chabrières massif with numerous passages through the undergrowth and a passage near the Parc au Loups.

A pleasant little circular, best done on a spring day. The embankments are bursting with wildflowers: orchids, forget-me-nots, Solomon's seals, chickweed, garlic mustard, crosswort, Persian speedwell, bright pink campion... a riot of colour! This is an easy, countryside walk that's perfect for families. There are a few ponds and two pretty castles to discover along the way.

This hike allows you to discover the Creuse in all its forms: a fast-flowing river north of Felletin, which slows down and spreads out before the dam, then drops downstream before resuming its course towards Aubusson. Left bank, then right bank, the circular route also takes you to the Combes dam.

Starting from the village, this circular route will take you to the Croix du Loup and allow you to explore the woods of Champagnat. On a clear day, you can see the Massif du Sancy and the Puy de Dôme. Please note that this route is not signposted. So make sure you have the description with you.

Starting from Felletin, this short hike will take you along streams, rivers and brooks, wells, wash houses and drinking troughs, crossing footbridges, a typical Limousin plank bridge and even a balancing ford.

Starting from Thauron, this is an easy walk that takes you along a small section of the magnificent Thaurion Gorges, then into the countryside.

A fairly family-friendly hike. The outward journey is downhill along a bucolic stream, through a lush, almost tropical deciduous forest. The return is more austere, through a mysterious, moss-covered coniferous forest.

Between Guéret and Sainte-Feyre, this is a short, easy hike that allows you to discover the oppidum and the beautiful panorama from the summit of Puy de Gaudy.

Located on the Millevaches plateau, Lac de la Vaud-Gelade is an artificial lake, created between 1940 and 1944, with a surface area of 300 hectares. It is fed by the Thaurion and several streams. It is used for electricity production. Its earthen dam with a granulite foundation holds 21 million cubic metres of water, which feeds Lac de Vassivière, depending on its water needs, through a 4km-long underground tunnel.

Starting from Néoux, this is a short, easy circular family walk along pleasant paths and part of a Roman road, the Sentier de César, through woods and meadows. The route is designed to avoid roads as far as possible.

A family-friendly walk with plenty of sections through the woodland. It takes you first to the Chabrières pond and anthill (with information boards), then to the arboretum at the end of the walk. Yellow-marked walk: route managed by the Monts de Guéret Community of Communes.

At the gateway to the Millevaches plateau, set off on a walk punctuated with information panels to discover a 50-hectare listed natural site.

Discover the local heritage (crosses, fountains, wells...) and the skills of our ancestors.

Hike in the Maupuy massif above Guéret. This route will allow you to discover magnificent views and the old granite quarries. The hike is partly marked with yellow signs managed by the Monts de Guéret Tourist Office.

A circular route starting from Saint-Pardoux-Morterolles that also allows you to discover the Cascades d'Augerolles site. This hike passes through meadows, woods, forests and the areas around the waterfalls. A few panoramic views, streams and a plank bridge complete the picture. It should be noted that the roads, where there are any, are forest roads, some paved and some unpaved, but in any case very little used.

The village of Royère-de-Vassivière was established on a strategic pass on the Millevaches plateau, at the crossing point of a prehistoric ridge path. The ridge paths (or pouges) allowed people to travel long distances. They favoured the granite peaks of the rounded hills, called Puy or Peux, and avoided the damp, peaty valley bottoms that only cattle frequented.