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Limousin
The Limousin region in south-central France lies on the north-western edge of the Massif Central, a gentler rural countryside with green pastures and blissfully empty roads.
Predominantly an upland area, with the greater part of the region rising above 350 m above sea level this in the hilly country lies of the Auvergne Mountains with milder climates than its neighbors in the Pyrenees Atlantiques and Midi-Pyreness regions in the south.
Numerous important rivers provide freshwater to the in the Limousin area such as the Dordogne, Vienne, Creuse and Cher. This enables the locals first-rate fishing grounds.
Ravaged by Edward the Black Prince in the Hundred Years War, Limousin was reconquered for France (1370–74) by Bertrand du Guesclin. It remained a depressed area until Turgot became intendant (1761–64) and introduced notable reforms in the region.
Known to have some of the best beef farming in the world today, herds of Limousin cattle are a distinctive chestnut red shade and a commonly dot the plains in the region.
The region’s historic capital is the town of Limoges. A center of ceramics industries, for which the abundant kaolin of the region is used and is still a leader and innovator in electric equipment factories (which used porcelain as an insulator originally). The Musee National Adrien-Dubouche is a museum dedicated showcase the porcelain trade.
Growing transportation and communication links has created an upswing in Limousin population. It has also made travel within the region easy and convenient for visitors and locals alike—to stop by Aubusson area and its famed tapestries, the survey the Uzerche area’s Maisons a Tourelles, which look like miniature castles due to their turrets, and to soak in the spectacular scenery around Gimel-les-Cascades.
