Discover the Creuse differently: hidden gems and local favourites
Based at the Château de Poinsouze near Boussac, Hugues de Houdetot knows these quiet roads and lesser-known corners particularly well. Here, he shares his favourite places to visit in and around the Creuse: outdoor adventures, encounters with local producers and several remarkable heritage sites to discover as a family.
Hugues de Houdetot, owner of the Château de Poinsouze
What to do near the Château de Poinsouze
Among Hugues de Houdetot’s favourite experiences, you can:
- take part in an orienteering trail or treasure hunt within the Château de Poinsouze estate;
- walk among the spectacular granite formations of the Pierres Jaumâtres;
- meet animals from around the world at La Ferme des Clautres;
- step into George Sand’s world at her home in Nohant;
- admire the architecture and collections of the Château de Villemonteix;
- sample produce from Myrtille du Trimoulet, a blueberry farm just a few kilometres from the campsite.
Begin your adventure at the Château de Poinsouze
You do not always need to get into the car to enjoy an adventure. At the Château de Poinsouze, your holiday begins within a leafy 120-hectare estate surrounded by woodland, meadows and a lake.
An orienteering trail provides a playful way to explore the grounds. Armed with a map, participants set off in search of markers hidden throughout the estate. Everyone can proceed at their own pace, choose a route and pay close attention to the surrounding landscape. It is an excellent introduction to orienteering for children, without turning the outing into an overly long walk.
Treasure hunts are also organised during the season. Riddles, clues and challenges lead families around the château and its grounds. Younger guests quickly get caught up in the adventure, while parents rediscover the simple pleasure of searching, thinking and following a trail together.
Hugues’s favourite time to set off is towards the end of the day, when the light softens and the estate becomes peaceful again after the afternoon’s activities.
Explore the legends of the Pierres Jaumâtres
Around ten kilometres from the Château de Poinsouze, the Pierres Jaumâtres are among the most extraordinary natural sights in northern Creuse. At the top of Mont Barlot, near the village of Toulx-Sainte-Croix, some 40 enormous granite boulders appear to have been carefully balanced by a giant hand.
Their true origins are geological, but the legends surrounding them are far more intriguing. A sacrificial altar, the Devil’s cradle, stones dedicated to ancient gods… Over the centuries, the unusual shapes of this granite landscape have inspired countless stories. Some of the rocks have been given equally evocative names, including La Bascule, or “The Rocking Stone”, and Les Pains de Sucre, the “Sugar Loaves”.
The footpath climbs through the trees before reaching the boulders and the top of the site. From here, panoramic views extend over the Boussac valley, the Berry countryside and the Bourbonnais. The French novelist George Sand was fond of this walk and helped to make the Pierres Jaumâtres better known during the 19th century.
To extend your visit, stop for lunch or a sweet treat at the nearby Chalet des Pierres Jaumâtres. There is also a leisure park for families wishing to combine their walk with more energetic activities.
Our tip: wear sturdy footwear, as the paths and rocks can be slippery after rainfall.
Meet the animals at La Ferme des Clautres
Located in Bord-Saint-Georges, La Ferme des Clautres is a farm with a difference. Over the years, it has developed into a genuine animal park while retaining its relaxed, family-run atmosphere.
Visitors are free to explore at their own pace and encounter hundreds of animals belonging to many different species. Alongside familiar farm animals, you may spot some far more unexpected residents, including dromedaries, cranes, yaks, buffaloes, llamas and Tarpan horses.
Children are usually happy to spend plenty of time watching the animals, but the experience is equally enjoyable for adults. The setting remains simple, green and welcoming, far removed from the atmosphere of a large zoo. Above all, the farm reflects one family’s passion and their desire to introduce visitors to some unusual and little-known species.
A snack area allows you to linger a little longer, while unusual accommodation is also available for guests who would like to wake up close to the animals.
Our advice: save this visit for a day when you want to slow down. La Ferme des Clautres is a place for wandering and observing, rather than following a tightly planned schedule.
Step into George Sand’s world at Nohant
George Sand’s house is situated in Nohant-Vic, just across the departmental border in the neighbouring Berry region. It nevertheless makes a wonderful day trip from Boussac. The journey takes you through peaceful countryside that already seems to evoke the atmosphere of her country home.
The celebrated French writer spent much of her life at this family property. She wrote several of her major works here and welcomed some of the 19th century’s most important artists, including Honoré de Balzac, Gustave Flaubert, Eugène Delacroix, Franz Liszt and, of course, Frédéric Chopin, who composed a significant part of his work at Nohant.
The house still contains George Sand’s furniture, personal possessions and original interiors. Visitors can see her study, the rooms in which her guests stayed and two small theatres that reveal the important role performance played in family life.
The visit continues through the garden and park, both of which were deeply connected to Sand’s life and writing. The rose garden, orchard and shady paths create an intimate, living setting, far removed from the atmosphere of a frozen museum.
Our tip: allow time to explore the garden after visiting the house. It is often here that visitors gain the clearest sense of the writer’s attachment to Nohant.
Discover the Château de Villemonteix
In Saint-Pardoux-les-Cards, the Château de Villemonteix rises from the Creuse countryside like something from a storybook. Built in the 15th century, it has all the hallmarks of a late medieval château, including a central keep, wall walk and elegant pepper-pot towers.
Its exterior architecture alone is worth the journey, but the interiors hold the greatest surprises. The château is still inhabited, and its owners have assembled some exceptional collections: antique furniture, Sèvres and Limoges porcelain, paintings, and tapestries from Aubusson, Felletin, Flanders, Beauvais and the Gobelins Manufactory.
One particularly unusual treasure is a rare double Pleyel piano that once belonged to Béatrice de Camondo. Each room tells a different story at the crossroads of art, music and daily life in an historic residence.
Villemonteix has the special charm of a château that feels less like a formal monument and more like a home into which you have been personally welcomed. Opening days and visiting hours vary throughout the year, so check the latest information before setting off.
Taste local produce at Myrtille du Trimoulet
Just a few kilometres from the Château de Poinsouze, Myrtille du Trimoulet provides a final stop that is both delicious and truly local. This Boussac-Bourg farm has been growing blueberries for more than 20 years, without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
During the picking season, a visit offers an opportunity to see rows of bushes laden with fruit. Cultivated blueberries are larger than their wild relatives and are delicious eaten fresh, but they can also be transformed into a wide range of treats.
Depending on the season and availability, you may find fresh or dried blueberries, jams, juices and other artisan specialities. It is a lovely way to take a taste of the Creuse home with you while supporting a producer based very close to the campsite.
Our tip: speak to the Château de Poinsouze team before visiting. Harvest dates, opening arrangements and the products available may vary during the season.
A different way to explore the Creuse
At first sight, these addresses may appear to have little in common. Yet each one reveals the same side of the Creuse: a distinctive, generous and understated region in which landscapes, heritage and local skills remain closely connected.
From the Château de Poinsouze, it is easy to vary your days. Spend a morning among the Pierres Jaumâtres, meet the animals at La Ferme des Clautres, explore an historic château or stop at a nearby farm for something delicious.
There is no need to fill every moment of your holiday. In the Creuse, the best memories often begin with an unexpected detour, a friendly conversation or a beautiful view that makes you stop for a while.
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Creuse
What can you visit near Boussac?
Attractions near Boussac include the Pierres Jaumâtres, the Château de Boussac, La Ferme des Clautres and Myrtille du Trimoulet. George Sand’s house at Nohant and the Château de Villemonteix can also be visited on a day trip from the Château de Poinsouze.
Where are the Pierres Jaumâtres?
The Pierres Jaumâtres are located near Toulx-Sainte-Croix, around ten kilometres from the Château de Poinsouze. This protected natural site stands at the top of Mont Barlot and offers panoramic views across the Boussac valley, the Berry region and the Bourbonnais.
What are the best family activities in the Creuse?
The Château de Poinsouze’s orienteering trail and treasure hunts are ideal for families. Children will also enjoy meeting the animals at La Ferme des Clautres and exploring the unusually shaped rocks of the Pierres Jaumâtres. A family leisure park can also be found close to the latter.
Can you buy local produce near the Château de Poinsouze?
Yes. Myrtille du Trimoulet grows blueberries in Boussac-Bourg, around four kilometres from the campsite. Depending on the season and availability, visitors may find fresh blueberries and a selection of products made from the fruit. The Château de Poinsouze team can also recommend other local producers and places to shop nearby.
When is the best time to visit the Creuse?
Spring and summer are particularly pleasant for walking, enjoying the countryside and making the most of family activities. Early autumn also brings beautiful colours and a quieter atmosphere. As some attractions have seasonal opening arrangements, remember to check their current visiting information before travelling.
