Charente-Limousin is a land of lakes and rivers, forests, rolling fields and sleepy villages. The climate is warm and sunny, water plentiful and the soil rich. Red Limousin cattle graze lazily on rich pastures. In the long calm days of summer bees and insects feed on fields of golden sunflowers. It truly is a land of milk and honey. So stay a while, unwind and soak up the pleasures of French rural life.

The Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin was set up in March 1998 to conserve and revive the old customs and crafts while finding new and ecological ways of boosting the local economy. It covers 1800 km2 and consists of 78 communes.

Bussière-Galant Mushroom Market On the second Sunday in October there is a display of toadstools and edible mushrooms, gourmet tasting sessions and nature walks with expert mycologists. 05 55 78 84 41.

Châlus Maison du Châtaignier The abundance of sweet-chestnut forests used to be a major economic resource, not only as food but also supplying wood for use as stakes in vineyards, fencing materials, lobster-pots and fastening hoops around wine barrels. The skills and tools used by local woodsmen can be seen at the Chestnut Museum. OT 05 55 78 51 13.

Le Moulin de Fleurac Situated on the banks of the Charente the Fleurac papermill at Nersac still makes paper the traditional way - by hand. The process is exactly as it was in the 17th century. 05 45 91 50 69.

The Red City -Limoges by Night Once a week from 15th June-15th September the local tourist office takes visitors on a guided tour of Limoges by night. The façades of various buildings have been specially lit to help underline significant aspects of their architecture and the walk gives a delightfully different vision of historical areas. OT 05 55 34 46 87.

Musée Municipal de l’Evêché The enamel collection contains over 500 pieces ranging from medieval Limoges champlevé enamels to 14th/17th painted enamels and contemporary enamel work. 05 55 34 44 09.

Musée Adrien Dubouché The National Porcelain Museum houses over 12,000 objects and is one of the richest in France.05 55 33 08 50. A number of porcelain factories are open to visitors. Permanent displays and demonstrations can be seen at the Bernardaud works and Haviland’s “Pavillon de la Porcelaine”.

Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche Pig Market The Black-Bottom Guild holds a pig livestock show in mid-September for the variety of pig “Cul-Noir”. During the feasting there is a “chabrol” championship - drinking bowls of pig’s fat and onion soup mixed with a good measure of claret!

Pompadour in Corrèze - Institut du Cheval - Castle, racecourse and National Stud on 330 hectare estate. Nearby Jumenterie de La Rivière houses 40 selected brood mares and a dozen stallions. Competitions and horse races take place between March-September. Highlight on 15th August Day of the Horse. 05 55 98 55 47.

Chocolaterie Letuffe - Guided tours, children’s workshop & tastings! Marguerites, nougatines, nougats and speciality chocolates. 05 45 91 05 21. Two day chocolate festival at Jarnac in October.

Festival International de La Bande Dessinée - International Comic Strip Festival at Angoulême Held in January. 05 45 97 86 50. See also Les Murs Peints d’Angoulême - 20 different murals in the City. www.bdangouleme.com

Angoulême Circuit des Ramparts - 3 day vintage car racing around the city ramparts at Angoulême. Tickets to the grandstands and pits. Held every year in September. www.angouleme.fr

Ludoland - Annual festival of toys, games books & multimedia in Angoulême. Held every year usually in November. www.ludoland.fr