Endless forests
Endless forests
Somewhere between Limoges and Clermont-Ferrand lies a tiny hamlet called Saint-Christophe.
Five houses, two hundred sheep, seven shepherd dogs, one brave cat — and if you’re lucky, you might run into an actual resident. The rest is just meadows, rolling hills, and endless stretches of untouched forest to wander through. That’s exactly why we came here: to experience nature at its purest, starting right from our doorstep. It was a bit of a wild gamble, since the region isn’t exactly known as a tourist hotspot — but for us, that was a bonus. We love being around people, but only when we choose to. 🙂
We were truly spoiled by this environment. I think we must have walked around 60 kilometers in total, always starting right from our chalet. And in all those kilometers through the forest, we didn’t meet a single person — not one! What we did encounter were deer, roe deer, badgers, and other wildlife. Absolutely beautiful to see. We always set out at 7 in the morning, which doubled our chances of spotting wild animals. The other reason for our early starts was practical — by the time we returned, our kids would just be getting out of bed, ready for another activity together. 😀 The perfect balance.
Saint-Christophe is one of those places where time seems to stand still. We came mainly to hike — and that’s exactly what we did. Every day we set off straight from our little house into the woods: endless trails through rolling hills, ferns, and pure silence. You hardly meet anyone, except maybe a deer or a curious shepherd dog.
Still, it’s worth making a little trip to Limoges, a charming historic and lively city about an hour’s drive away. Be sure to have a coffee at Le Café 1900 — a beautiful, authentic spot that feels like stepping back in time. Great atmosphere, and honestly some of the best coffee you’ll find.
With the kids, we also went to Le Labyrinthe Géant, a fun short activity where you can get lost together among the hedges. But honestly? The forests around Saint-Christophe stole our hearts. That’s where we spent most of our time — walking, breathing, and simply enjoying the peace.
Back to the woods. I’ve roamed through many forests in my life — in Germany, Sweden, Finland, the Ardennes, the Netherlands — but nowhere have I found forests as dense, wild, and untouched as here. Ancient woodland paths crisscross everywhere, each one leading to a new pocket of natural beauty. Sometimes the forest opens up into a meadow or a tiny, charming hamlet with a few houses — but just as quickly, you’re back among the trees again.
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