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The Creuse.
The name means ‘creased’ or ‘hollowed’ because of the numerous river valleys. It is, perhaps, most famous for its granite masons. The men would walk to Paris every spring to build the place leaving the missus to look after the farm. They still had time for a bit of granitic DIY when at home - both private houses and churches merit close inspection for the quality of the stone masonry.
Being in Limousin means that this is cattle country - the white ones are Charollais (Boo, Hiss) while the brown are Limousin (Hooray). No wine is grown although it used to be in Roman times.There are some superb local speciality foods and the regional cheeses (Bleu D’Auvergne, Cantal, Salers etc.) are excellent. Practically every village still has its inexpensive restaurant providing a robust old-fashioned fare. Needless to say we have a carefully researched list of the best ! Fine wine-growing regions are close at hand (the Loire wines, Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé, Reuilly).
The Creuse is one of the least densely populated areas in Europe - 5,600 square kilometres with a population of 130,000 The low population, the survival of peasant cattle farming with small, hedged fields and the richness of the deciduous woodland and forests give the Creuse its special charm. You may still come across an Ox-drawn cart on a back road. The ‘Crozant School’ of painting, founded by Monet, produced many famous pictures of, in particular, the valley of the Petite Creuse. Georges Sands and Chopin spent many happy days here, Georges seeking inspiration for her books and Chopin finding nature in the wild for his music. It still is, genuinely, is one of the few remaining unspoilt parts of France. You can drive all day on the back roads and meet only one or two cars. The pace of life is reminiscent of rural England before the War.
Chatras (our Farm)
Latin ‘Castra’ a camp. Known to be settled since Gallo-Roman times. Our highest field - MartinFort - has a motte and bailey prehistoric settlement. At the beginning of the 20th century over 30 workers lived here, hence the three bread ovens (one now the office in which I write this). We are at 500 M. so the winter can get cold (-20° C !) but the sun is hot even in January and the summer often hits 40’. It can certainly rain - the summer thunderstorms are beyond description - and there are days when the mist just will not go away. Normally the weather seems to change more quickly than in England - a week of ‘bad’ days at any time of year would be unusual but by no means impossible!
We have 100 Ha of which 75 is grassland (a little arable) and 25 woodland - very rich mixed deciduous managed by coppicing to provide fuel and fence posts.
We moved here from England in 1993 and (finally) speak reasonably good French to help you out if needed. We farm a ‘pedigree’ Limousin herd of single sucklers - cows that feed their own calves which are sold on at about a year for fattening or as breeding heifers.
We grow our own hay and cereals; while not 100% organic we are highly ‘extensive’ - low stocking rates and minimal inputs of artificial fertilizer. This is normal in the area which has always been cattle country with none of the abuse of pesticides and herbicides that can go with big-time cereal farming. As a result birds and butterflies of all sorts abound . Hopooes, Golden Orioles, nightingales and an amazing variety of raptors visit us. All of the European woodpecker species (including the Black) are seen on the farm together with an impressive selection of warblers and tits.
The Spring and Autumn Crane migrations are extraordinary with tens of thousands of birds passing overhead, all calling to one another.
40 species of butterfly and 80 of moths were identified here in 3 days .
In the Autumn there are splendid sweet chestnuts (a dominant tree here with oak and ash), hazel and walnuts.
Mushrooms grow well - the girolle, coulemelle (parasol), cêpe, blewitt, rosé and anisé are all to be found on the farm and in the local woodlands. We have wild boar and roe deer on the farm with the occasional red deer passing through from one forest to another.
Things to do
You will be given a brochure of day and half-day trips (invariably with a good restaurant included !). In brief the countryside and wildlife alone merit the holiday but there are no end of interesting things to do.
You are welcome to join in the farming activities or walk the miles of tracks in our woods.
Guided trips can easily be arranged to show how the farm works, teach fieldcraft and tracking, deer/bird/butterfly spotting etc.
We have a small well stocked lake but heavy-duty carp and pike fishing is available locally for addicts.
There is no light pollution and generally good seeing (although some heat haze). A 10" l /4 motorised reflector telescope is available for those interested in astronomy.
For those who want to do more than laze in the shade of the Chestnut tree (excellent wine available at 8 F/litre to help relaxation) the Auvergne is an hour’s drive away with the fantastic scenery of the Parc Regional des Volcans and the Monts Dore (Central France’s highest mountain). Lac de Vassiviere is 1000 Ha. of water with scenery that shames the Lake District. Sailing boats are on hire and the beaches are never crowded.
The Creuse is a land of lakes, many of which are well organised with children’s games, sandy beaches and safe swimming areas. There are two within a few minute's drive of the cottage.
You can safely swim, paddle or canoe in the River Creuse nearby .
There is good fishing, horse riding, tennis and canoeing nearby. We have bicycles and a ‘Topper’ (an ‘unsinkable’ two to three person sailing boat that goes on a roof rack).