Boats outside the Nautical Centre of Videix Lake

It is just five minutes by car to the swimming lake of Videix. There are two beaches, the closest beach has a restaurant, and during the summer there are pedalos for the children. Ten minutes by car there is another beach with a nautical centre where you can hire canoes, wind surfs, boats and kyaks.

The 12 century listed Church in the heart of Videix

Videix itself has a 12 century church listed as an Ancient Monument, and St Gervais, within the commune of Videix also has a pretty church and bell tower, and retains its old, communal washing place.

Take advantage of the increasing number of cheap flights from England to Limoges. Videix is 40 minutes drive from the airport and car hire is available. Alternatively the train stations of Angouleme and Limoges are only 45 minutes drive away.

For a tiny commune Videix is blessed with good eating places! On the shores of the lake there are no less than four places to eat; an excellent restaurant, La Côte de Boeuf, where you can dine and watch the sun setting over the lake, a second restaurant, a snack bar and a bar, Le Soleil Couchant, which serves pizza and curry.

At St Gervais, there is a pleasant restaurant serving lunches and dinners and just five minutes away, on the road to Rochechouart, there is an excellent restaurant run by a young couple who grow their own vegetables and specialize in new and interesting French cuisine. The husband is a chef and the wife an interior designer, which shows in the casually smart and deceptively simple decoration.

The small towns of Rochechouart and St Mathieu are ten minutes drive away, and here you will find supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and all the other amenities of the town.

Clearly marked walks starting at Videix

The area is characterized by the use of stone from a meteorite that fell in the area and in Rochechouart you can visit the Meteorite Museum. The locals call it Moon Stone.

Videix is a great centre for walking, cycling or riding. There are lots of designated paths in Videix and there are plans to link these up with long-distance networks and riding stables within 5 minutes. They are well signed, and take you along leafy tracks, bordered by oak and chestnut woodland, and wild flower meadows grazed by the tan coloured Limousin cattle world famous for the quality of their beef.

In the autumn you can gather sweet chestnuts and ceps from the woodlands. There is a wealth of other edible fungus for the knowledgeable to try, but you can also buy them from the local markets if you are in doubt. Other specialties are wild boar, venison, goats cheese, nut tart and chestnut liqueur.

A Place to stay

Les Trois Chênes Chambre d’Hôtes and Gîte at Videix

Traditional stone-built farmhouse with four guest bedrooms (sleeps 11)

You can stay in this newly refurbished, four bedroom Bed and Breakfast, which also offers evening meals

Or from 2010,

Book a holiday in the three bedroom gîte.

All bedrooms in both houses have en-suite bathrooms, are well equipped and offer comfort as well as charm. You are able to make use of the gardens for picnics and barbeques, use the play area with swings in the peach orchards, and take advantage of the enclosed parking.

Bookings and for more information

Charming three bedroom holiday cottage with large lawned gardens (sleeps 7)

Bedroom

Dinning room

Bedroom room

Shuttered House Touques

The old town of Vitre

Vitre is a medieval town in Brittany

Paris steps in the Montmartre atrea

Paris sightseeing see our guide on paris

Visit our new page on the Paris antique markets

Trouville sur Mer Normandy

Trouville sur Mer

Honfleur Harbour

Apt French market town

The Lavender fields of France

Pictures taken of the ancient stones around Carnac Brittany

Honfleur Harbour Normandy

Towns and villages

French property