The landlocked department of the Creuse is in the northernmost part of the bucolic Limousin region at the heart of France. It’s one of the country’s least-populated spots and has wonderful verdant landscapes. The capital Guéret, surrounded by farmland, offers a wealth of culture, art and delightful botanical gardens. There are many villages steeped in history and it’s on the pilgrim routes of the Knights Templar and Santiago de Compostela.

Creuse life is very different to the one most people live. pollution, traffic noise, stress and crime, are all rare in this rolling landscape. Although many places are remote, each town has the necessary shops and markets for most provisions. Guéret and other major towns have the big chain supermarkets, often stocking a wide range of locally-grown produce.

There are many farmhouses of a particular architectural style in the area around the Thaurion River in Creuse. These dwellings have a living-space and a barn used for the agriculture at the same time. In the canton of La Courtine, there are numerous thatched cottages.

Limoges is the main airport. TGV trains operate from Paris to Limoges and the Eurostar runs direct from London. There are also local train services to Lyon, Angoulême, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Cahors.