The French Government has announced the creation of a new “Parc Naturel Regional de Millevaches en Limousin“, joining another 44 areas already so designated and protected by law. The Park takes its name from the wide plateau of “Millevaches” literally translated as One Thousand Cows but thought to refer to the many bogs and ponds which are the source of many rivers, some of which contribute to some of France’s major rivers including the Vienne, Loire, Dordogne and Vezere. Richly forested and with a gently rolling landscape it is a little explored area lying to the east of Limoges (87 Haut Vienne, Limousin) towards Clermont Ferrand (63 Puy-de-Dome, Auvergne), with few towns of any note – the largest being Meymac, Felletin and Eymoutiers.
This really is deepest France! – and because of the size of the country, their parks tend to be muc larger and more unspoilt than in the UK. However, they may not always be as user-friendly in terms of signposting and pathways – so make sure you get a good map!
There is a good little website at wwwmillevaches.free.fr
There is an official government website at www.parcs-naturels-regionaux.fr but it was not available at the time of writing.
See map
