Must see around the Montmorillon area

[Fred]

Got any places to recommend for a visit within an hours drive from Montmorillon?

I'll get the ball rolling in the next post, please add your recommendations of a visit to this thread.

[Fred]

This is a must see if you ever need reminding how lucky you are.

Place: Centre de la mémoire d'Oradour.
Location: Oradour-sur-Glane Haute-Vienne.
Open: 7 days 09:00-17:00 1st Feb-15Dec.
Cost: €5.20-€7.80
Website: https://www.oradour.org

On 10 June 1944 the German SS surrounded the village, all the women and children were locked in the church while the village was looted and the men were shot. After the soldiers had finished killing the men, they proceeded to the church and placed an incendiary device there. After it was ignited, women and children tried to escape through the doors and windows of the church, but they were met with machine-gun fire and forced back into the flames.

In total 190 Men, 247 women, and 205 children died in the carnage.

After the war, General Charles de Gaulle decided the village would never be rebuilt, but would remain a memorial to the cruelty of the Nazi occupation. In 1999 French president Jacques Chirac dedicated a memorial museum, the Centre de la mémoire d'Oradour.

This is not a theme park and the village is in the same condition it was left in after the massacre, yes you can see some things have been place in some locations. But as you wonder around the village looking at the bullet holes in the walls, and you notice the eerie sound as visitors start to talk in a whisper you will feel a tear in your eye just wanting to come out.

[Admiral]

If you've got visitors - especially those with children - and the day is rainy/coldish then the Planete des Crocodiles at Civaux is a must see.

This is the place to keep the young 'uns amused. It houses a heck of a lot of different species of croc in a tropical setting so don't dress up - it is very humid

To get the maximum joy out of it - especially for the youngsters - look out for the notice boards around the place telling you of the various feeding times. For some reason small children seem to get a thrill out of reptiles eating something. Don't worry. It's fish.

There is a snack bar but I noticed most of the French had brought their own picnic to eat in the car park or on the banks of the Vienne. There is also the obiligatory over-priced souvenir shop selling plastic repitles, T-shirts etc.

Booking tickets on line is cheaper than on the day.

It's right by the EdF nuclear power station - and the bowling alley and swimming pool - in Civaux so you can't miss it.

Under fives are free



https://www.vert-marine.com/planete-croc...civaux-86/

[Admiral]

An update on this thread folks....

We discovered by accident (on purpose) Parc Bellevue just outside Limoges airport which turned out to be an absolute Godsend for those of you with small children to keep amused.  Or, in our case small grand children.

Jam-packed with rides and activities for the young 'uns it provides a welcome few hours as a way of keeping children occupied and suitably exhausted.

Open from the beginning of April to the end of September so make a note of it for next year when the dreaded happens and young children appear on your doorstep demanding to be entertained.

More importantly, very nice picnic areas close to a snack bar that does a very good steak and frites and all the usual suspects including beer and wine to help numb the pain.  

Just under an hours drive from the Montmorillon area.

http://www.parc-bellevue.fr

[Brian]

It's right by the EdF nuclear power station - and the bowling alley and swimming pool - in Civaux so you can't miss it.
https://www.vert-marine.com/planete-croc...civaux-86/

Does anyone else find it worrying that this year's special attraction at Planet Crocodile is an albino crocodile? I shouldn't be surprised if next year's is a 2 headed beast. Or a 20m crocodile. Sponsored by EdF Nuclear, of course.