Races in Creuse

Located in the center of France, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, bordering the Indre, Cher, Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Vienne and Corrèze (we haven't forgotten anyone, that's good), the Creuse eagerly awaits you!

Your Creuse adventure begins in Guéret, the prefecture of the department, where you can stop to visit the main street and l’hôtel des Moneyroux (medieval gem). Next stop: La Souterraine, labeled « village étape ». Continue your journey to Aubusson and Felletin, two villages united by the ties of marriage Tapestry and classified as a UNESCO intangible heritage, before heading to Moutier-d'Ahun (its Romanesque church, a vestige of a former Benedictine monastery, is worth a look). Also visit Masgot, a major local tourist spot, to admire its famous 19th-century sculptures (incidentally, the sculptor was a village resident!). But Creuse is also the department of castles ! Between imposing fortresses and elegant manors, there's enough to drive anyone wild: Boussac, Villemonteix, Crozant, the abbey church of Chambon-sur-Voueize, and Tour Zizim are all worth a detour!

And now, let's focus on Mother Nature! Creuse is full of little treasures to explore without delay : Chabrières forest (between the Creuse and Gartempe valleys) boasts 2,000 hectares with numerous trails for hiking and trail running. Keep a keen eye during your outings 👀, as in the Parc Naturel Régional de Millevaches en Limousin, at the heart of lush nature, you might encounter wolves, the emblematic animal of the department. We recommend spending a night there to enjoy the stars... recognized since 2021 as an International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR), there's no better spot in the region to view the Milky Way.

As for natural curiosities, the Pierres Jaumâtres at the summit of Mont Barlot stand out. They also provide a great training ground for elevation gain. Do you love painting, especially Impressionism? Run Walk in the footsteps of Armand Guillaumin, Francis Picabia or Claude Monet, all of whom set up their easels in « the valley of the painters ». And guess what, we saved our gem for last : Vassivière Lake, reminiscent of the Amazon River (we'll let you be the judge here). See, no need to go to Brazil to feel transported 😉.

But beware, Creuse is not Rio de Janeiro when it comes to sunshine 😅. Humidity and cold won't be your best allies during exertion, so pack extra layers. Winters can be harsh 🥶 !

Let's summarize:

➡️Cities and villages : ✅

➡️Nature and training : ✅

As you might expect, the logical next step... is the race calendar ! 🤗 In Creuse, the range of events is broad enough for you to thoroughly enjoy yourself. On the agenda: the White Wolf Trail, the Cazinight, or Les Foulées du Rail. You’re going to run!

Feeling a bit creuse hungry? Replenish your energy (while trying not to overindulge) by tasting potato pie to whet your appetite, followed by Limousin beef with a good Creuse fondue and wrap up this culinary journey with a Creuse cake. If you're not satisfied after all that, we don't know what will!

You see, the world divides into two categories, and you, you dig (Creuse) 🎬!