Limousin: porcelain, tapestry and red villages

Route description

Begin at Oradour-sur-Glane, where the ruined village has been preserved as a memorial to its 643 victims. Continue to Limoges for its porcelain museum, the old butchers’ street and the monumental railway station.

The D941 heads east through rolling bocage to Aubusson, whose Cité internationale de la tapisserie shows the UNESCO-listed craft. Turn south onto the Millevaches plateau to the Lac de Vassivière, with beaches and an island of contemporary art.

Cross the plateau south-west to Uzerche, stacked on a rock above the Vézère, then continue to the Corrèze border with Quercy. Collonges-la-Rouge is built entirely of red sandstone, and neighbouring Turenne climbs to a castle tower with a wide view over the countryside.

This is one of France’s quietest regions, ideal for a slow trip with easy parking and simple lakeside campsites. From Turenne it is a short drive to the Dordogne valley.