New Aquitaine by Train: A 7-Day Car-Free Itinerary
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Published on 7/3/27
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Inspiration and great deals for your next low-carbon trips
“There’s nothing to do in the Creuse!”... Think again: on Our itinerary around Crozant and the Valley of the Painters...there’s no shortage of things to do. A wide variety of sports and cultural activities are available for you to explore and discover what makes this department so unique.
The Creuse Valley is even more breathtaking when viewed from the water. There are several possible boat trips from the Hôtel du Lac in Crozant, which will rent you the watercraft of your choice: would you prefer a kayak, a canoe, or a paddleboard? From the hotel, the choice is yours: you can paddle down the Creuse River, passing by the base of the Rocher de la Fileuse, to reach Lake Éguzon, a large lake covering 312 hectares. You can relax and have a picnic on the many beaches lining the lake, then return to your starting point at the end of the day. If you only have an hour, you’ll still have time to take a loop that takes you past the Rocher de la Fileuse and the mouth of the Sédelle River.
You can also head in the opposite direction from the hotel: if you paddle 6 kilometers up the Creuse River, you’ll reach the charming town of Fresselines. In any case, you’ll pay based on the length of your trip when you return, so you’re free to paddle at your own pace! The experience will cost between €7 and €12 per hour.
https://www.hoteldulac-crozant.com/la-vedette/location-kayak/
You don't have to go all the way to Preikestolen in Norway to feel like you're on top of the world! Since Crozant, you can get to the rock by bike (except for the very last stretch, where you’ll have to use your legs without the bike) or on foot. The Rocher de la Fileuse is accessible via an easy hiking trail suitable for everyone (though by no means boring!) and rewards you with a breathtaking view of the Indre side of the Vallée des Peintres… The hardest part here isn’t the climb, but deciding when to tear your eyes away from the view and finally head back down. It takes about 45 minutes to walk there from Crozant.
https://www.tourisme-creuse.com/offres/le-rocher-de-la-fileuse-crozant-fr-3000761/
As its name suggests, the Vallée des Peintres is famous for having been a source of inspiration for many artists. Writers, musicians, and painters alike were captivated by the region’s natural beauty. Claude Monet and Maurice Rollinat were no exception, and as a result, the Creuse is very much present in their paintings. The Monet-Rollinat Center in Fresselines It features a selection of these works, on permanent display alongside other pieces of contemporary art. To top it all off and delight art lovers, the gallery frequently organizes events, such as hands-on workshops (for all ages) and lectures; you can find their schedule on the museum’s website.
https://sites-valleedespeintres.com/espace-monet-rollinat-expositions-carte-blanche-centre-art/
This is the perfect route for hiking along the banks of the Creuse. This 19-kilometer hike isn’t the easiest—it includes a few steep inclines—so hiking poles will definitely come in handy! The route, designated as a GRP (“Grande Randonnée de Pays”) trail, starts at Crozant and almost reaches the town of Fresselines; halfway through the hike, you can continue eastward (instead of turning around to head back to Crozant) to reach the village—especially to visit the Monet-Rollinat exhibit or take a lunch break! The trail is well-marked, and the round trip is supposed to take 9 hours and 30 minutes; of course, it all depends on you, and we recommend allowing plenty of time so you can take it easy.
One of the most important French fortresses of the Middle Ages is now nothing more than ruins. That said, it’s entirely possible to visit and explore them. Dating back to the 6th century, this medieval site has passed through the hands of the powerful Lusignan family, then into those of Louis XIII, before finally being purchased by the town of Crozant in 1994. The castle, perched on a hill overlooking the Peintres Valley, has weathered wars and earthquakes poorly, but its ruins—including some towers—are open to the public. It’s impressive to wander among what remains of the structure! There is an admission fee, but the price is extremely reasonable (€4 for an adult) and helps fund the preservation of the fortress’s ruins.
This guide is produced in partnership with:
