Creuse is named after the river Creuse that flows through this region.
Creuse geography is full of hillsides and farmland. This is also an important region for raising cows where you’ll see them grazing while enjoying the landscape of Creuse. Chestnuts and hazelnuts are prized in this region as well as mushrooms and apples. There are several food festivals and fairs during the year in this region, including a cured ham festival in Ajain in May, a Produce and Cheese fair in July in Aubusson as well as a fair dedicated to cider and another focused on mushrooms.
Two airports are easily accessible in this region, making it easier to take off on a weekend getaway within France or head to an international European city. One is the Limoges airport, located 8km outside the city of Limoges and is about an hour away, and the other international airport is Clermont-Ferrand. There is also the option to hop on the high-speed train to Bordeaux, Lyon or closer destinations.
Main cities and attractions in Creuse
- The capital city, Gueret, is a small town with a population of under 20,000. This pretty town offers plenty of shops and amenities and is considered one of the hubs for tourism. And if you like history, art, and archaeology, check out the Musée de la Sénatorene in Guerte.
- Consider visiting Aubusson, the second biggest town in Creuse, and with a castle in ruins. This town is known for tapestries and for dyed wool, which was an important industry. If you’re curious about the history of the weaving industry and like tapestries, visit the Musée Departmental de la Tapisserie.
- Vassiviere lake is a man-made lake where plenty of people enjoy water sports and go to spend a leisurely afternoon.
Cost of living
Living in Creuse is ideal for anyone who seeks a more relaxed and slower pace of life. The cost of living in Creuse is more affordable than in other areas in France and where you can get more for your money.
Prices are relatively low for purchasing a home in this area, and the more rural the site, the more affordable the price. Home prices range depending on the size, location, and whether the home has been renovated. In this region, you can find a home as low as €50,000. Typical Creuse homes are made of stone and have a fireplace, large oak beams, and a spacious garden.
Although this region isn’t on most tourists' radar, some expats choose living in Creuse for a calmer way of life. Job opportunities are scarce in this region due to a lack of industry, which is one of the main reasons why this area is less populated than other areas in France. If you’re thinking of living in Creuse, it’s best if you have a remote job, are retired or are open to owning your own business, such as a Bed & Breakfast or agritourism business. Speaking French will be an essential asset for assimilating into life in Creuse.
Best places to live in Creuse
If you like living in small towns and villages, this area is for you since there isn’t a big city in this department. After all, the capital of this Creuse has a population under 20,000, and the other three main towns– Aubusson, La Souterraine, Bourganeuf– are smaller.
Summary of weather
Creuse has an oceanic climate, even though it’s in the country's centre. Many people like living in Creuse because of its slow pace and because temperatures are considerably mild year-round.
July to September is considered the best weather, with minimal rain and warm temperatures. Summer temperatures average around 24 C in July and August, but the humidity is often high, so it may feel hotter than it is. Record highs in the summer have reached 37 C, and though it’s not typical, it’s essential to know that these intense hot days occasionally occur.
In winter, temperatures average around 5-7 C. Temperatures can reach zero degrees, often in the morning and at night. There have been record low temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees. Creuse averages around 116 days a year of rain, or around 32% during the year.
Temperatures begin to increase in the late spring, with averages around 8 C in March and 11 C in April, along with plenty of days of rain. Thanks to the rain, farms thrive, and cows are happy with ample pasture to graze. In early fall- September and October– temperatures are mild and enjoyable with an average of 12- 16 C and are ideal for hikes in nature and enjoying visiting towns without wearing ample layers.
History and culture
Different people have inhabited the region of Creuse, and during the 12th and 15th centuries, rulership shifted hands between the English and French. The English gained sovereignty in this area, thanks to the marriage of Elanor of Aquitaine and Henry II in 1152 until Philip II Agustus regained rulership at the beginning of the 13th century. Then it fell back into the hands of the English during the Hundred Years’ war and then taken back during the reign of Charles V in the 1300’s.
After the French revolution, one of the 83 departments formed on March 4, 1790, was Creuse. Initially, this area was known as La Marche and was part of Limousin in the 10th century before the land was redistributed. The capital Guéret was once the feudal capital of the La Marche province.
The French have many cultural traditions that continue to be maintained today. While living in Creuse, you’ll see that the French take the adage “work to live” to heart, where you’ll see friends socialising before dinner with an apéro (short for apéritif) or before-dinner drink. Lunches are leisurely, often lasting two hours. The French pride themselves on eating well. Shopping at weekly food markets offers seasonal produce that you can purchase directly from farmers.