Château Deux Lacs is located in the French region of Limousin, in the department of Creuse, around an hour north-east of the city of Limoges and its airport. The château is set in 55 hectares of vast grounds with meadows, woodlands and two lakes, the largest a picturesque spot for wild swimming.
Use the château’s bikes to explore the trails and French countryside beyond, looking out for the estate’s family of deer, foxes and many squirrels or follow the old Roman road on foot and perhaps you will catch a glimpse of cuckoos, woodpeckers, kestrels or falcons as well as the resident owl. Despite this rural idyll, a small village is only 3km away with a restaurant-bar, bakery, pharmacy, doctors and small grocery store. It's around a 5-minute drive or you could walk through the parkland, past the lake, and reach the village in around a 15-minute country walk.
There are larger supermarkets and a great range of restaurants in the town of Guéret, 8km by car. Visit the twice-weekly market on a Thursday and Saturday morning selling wonderful local produce from the Creuse region. Highlights of the town also include the fascinating Museum of Art and Archaeology whilst just outside Guéret is the Base de Loisirs de Courtille with supervised swimming as well as various watersports, all taking place from early July to the end of August. You will also find a useful train station in Guéret with departures to Limoges or Montluçon, both about an hour away.
Keen nature lovers will adore the château’s close proximity to the Forêt de Chabrières in Les Monts de Guéret, around a 20-minute drive away, with its hiking and mountain biking trails, giant maze and the much-loved wolf park (Les Loups de Chabrières) where you can see grey wolves living in natural surroundings in huge enclosures, alongside other animals.
The town of La Souterraine (33km) is especially beautiful in the summer with its flower-filled main square and the 11th century Église Notre-Dame. Visit on a Thursday or Saturday morning for market day and soak up the ambience of this traditional French town. Perhaps also combine with a visit to Etang Du Cheix with its sandy beach and supervised swimming in the height of the summer.
Another fantastic place for water-based activities is Lac Vassivière, one of France’s largest man-made lakes, around an hour south of the château. As well as canoeing, wind-surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming and fishing, there are various beautiful beaches, horse-riding, cycling and some incredible hiking opportunities. Boat taxis take you from one part of the lake to another in the summer months and there is a 30km long trail that follows the shoreline of part of this vast lake.
Of course, the Creuse department also offers many picturesque villages and towns worth exploring such as historic Chénérailles (36km) near the impressive Château de Villemonteix, Boussac (47km) and its castle as well as Aubusson (55km), famous for its fine tapestries and rugs dating as far back as the 15th century.
Not to mention the lovely city of Limoges, around an hour away, with its grand cathedral and town hall, charming historic quarter, Musée des Beaux-Arts, atmospheric covered market and pretty shops selling locally-made porcelain.
The Region
Aquitaine’s reputation as a varied and enchanting destination is well-earned – whether you’re looking for relaxation or excitement, this beautiful part of south-western France is a feast for every one of the senses.
