Markets

There are markets of all sorts in Limousin, so there is bound to be one for you!

Food markets are held in just about every village at least once a week, and the covered market in Limoges is definitely a mouth-watering experience. In the summer the markets are a colourful busy affair. There is also an enormous cheese market in Aubusson during July, and Brive has a variety of foodstuffs to tempt the idle visitor. There are also flower markets in the summer. Even if you don’t intend to stuff your car (or yourself!) with local delicacies, the people-watching always makes for good entertainment at any French market event!

There are also several food festivals in the region, including the beef festival, potato pastry, capon, chestnut, walnut, strawberry, raspberry and cèpes, so the dedicated foodie will have plenty of opportunities. There are also wine festivals, where you can taste both locally produced wine and champagnes.

Les Foire des Herolles – on the 29th of every month

Yes, reputed to be the biggest open air street market in France, selling almost everything you can imagine, right on the doorstep! Located near Tilly – about 10 minutes from Saint Sulpice les Feuilles.

A visit to this traditional, country market, held every month the year round for over 400 years, is a unique event not to be missed. Being so large, covering such a wide diversity, it provides lots of interest and should not be missed! It is also an outstanding photographic opportunity on a scale not found anywhere else in France.

Everything from honey, truffles, fruits and nuts in season, tractors, kitchen knives and utensils, cottons, linens plus lots of cheese, sausages, wine, bread and a mass of other local produce – plus plants, shrubs and trees – old and new garden and agricultural equipment – an almost endless variety of weird and wonderful merchandise.

Les Foire des Herolles is enormous and truly amazing with lots to please everyone. It is of course free and the host village Les Herolles, is well signposted from the surrounding area, with plenty of well organised parking – also free.

Restaurant recommendations

Limousin is foodie heaven with great local produce and wonderful restaurants. Here are a few recommendations from some of our foodie guests:

Limoges –

27 Restaurant, 27 rue Haute-Vienne, Limoges. Ph: 05 55 32 27 27. http://www.le27.com/ Can probably turn up here without a booking. Closed Sunday. Recommended by the Michelin guide. Very modern atmosphere, very welcoming, modern interpretations of French food. Fantastic! 19 euros for three course lunch menu.

La Souterraine – Le Passe Muraille: The food was ok to good. We went for the 24 euro menu and had four courses (including a cheese course). This is a very safe, standard, French restaurant recommendation and one of the waiters (owner?) speaks excellent English. Address: 16/18 place du D’Parrain, La Souterraine.  

Take Away British Fish and Chips – Fish et Frites In front of PMU Cafe The first and third Thursday of each month. Traditional fish and hand cut thick chips: 7.50 euros.

Other 

In autumn the woods and fields become ripe with harvests of champignons and chestnuts. Wild mushrooms are plentiful and tasty but make sure they are identified as edible by taking to a local pharmacy.

On most weekends the year round there are events such as Vide Greniers (means Vacuum Loft) that are street fairs very similar to car boot sales. These can be great fun and a good place to pick up the odd curio or other interesting item.

Summer brings endless fetes and the most impressive fireworks, with chestnut fairs in autumn, boule tournaments and even tea dances throughout the year.

The Christmas season is generally a long and highly visible celebration. Many villages decorate their community with Christmas lights and garlands to blend with a crisp frost or the occasional fall of snow, turning the countryside into a very brief but amazingly picturesque fairytale scene.

Where to eat and drink

http://www.frenchentree.com/france-limousin-restaurants-shops/