La Creuse. faites vous une fleur, offrez-vous un jardin !

Portrait - Catherine Wachs-Genest

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:32:42Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Catherine Wachs-Genest

Particular sign : watches over the collections in the Art and Archaeology Museum

Artistic revolution

Always having had a passion for History, it's through this that Catherine Wachs-Genest became interested in the history of art. Her Master's thesis was on Marine de Loire around 1750 and led her, six years ago, to the calmer waters of the Creuse Valley.
This young woman from Orléans discovered our département as conservation assistant at the Guéret Art and Archaeology Museum. And the old senatorial building surprised her. “What moved me the most is its wealth. I knew a little regarding the collections but with those kept in stock, it made for a fascinating and exalting universe as much for the number as the quality”. Rich, is the museum for the number of Impressionist canvases that it houses and of which the most well-known were born under the brushes belonging to Armand Guillaumin, Charles Alluaud, Paul Madeline as well as Allan Osterlind. This expert on the 19th-century, a century of remarkable progress from the Industrial Revolution “where academia was left behind”, discovered another revolution linked to this period… artistic this time with the Impressionists. She knew standard general history but was ignorant, as are many others, that the Creuse was such an attraction to artists and over time welcomed more than 400 of them.
Having taken on the Creuse cause – as well as marrying one, but that's another story ! – it's now her objective to tell everyone about these artists' work of art. An important starting point is explaining how Claude Monet's first series was created here in 1889. Painted at the confluence of the two Creuse Rivers, they were true precursors. And today, the museum team is working on this notion of landscape with the Limousin Artothèque to enliven past potential but also the present of local artists. Artists that can still be found round the bend of our famous, but little known, river.

Portrait - France-Odile Perrin-Crinière

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:32:23Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

France-Odile Perrin-Crinière

Particular sign : settled down in Aubusson as soon as she was 16 to learn the weaver's art

Tapestry… expression of the future

As Jean Lurçat in 1937 was blown away by the 14th-century hanging of the Apocalypse, France-Odile Perrin-Crinière had a shock when at 16 she saw Chant du Monde exhibited at the Jean Lurçat Museum in Angers. This collection of six tapestries woven in Aubusson is a modern interpretation of the Apocalypse created by this Master.
Since then, France-Odile who comes from the département of the Landes, has been harmoniously weaving her life around this art. First, three years at the Aubusson National School for Decorative Arts, then two years as a weaver in Camille Legoueix's workshop and la voilà, she finally settled in her own workshop only a few kilometres from the birthplace of Creuse weavers. For her, tapestry remains “technically material”, then why not adapt it for clothes as she tried at the beginning of her career. For wall hangings, she loves abstracts. Following her sensations and desires, she creates a tapestry like a sheet of music. “The colours rub against each other, in harmony, without ever being able to mix." She plays with materials as colours, alternating goal or silver thread, silk, wool, cotton or even raffia, linen and sometimes nettles. “What I'm looking for is a vibration with respect to the material”. What she likes above all others : that boredom never takes place and there is always something new to discover every time you look at one of her pieces.
As it is “impossible not to transmit her knowledge and her passion”, she alternates between taking part in school artistic classes and organising courses for professionals or amateurs in her “Atelier” (workshop) that she opened in Aubusson in 2001. She teaches them the gesture that she loves repeating. But weaving isn't all there is. So that her students breathe in the atmosphere and the history of weaving, “I guide them a lot and send them regularly to exhibitions, to spinning mills…” So, why don't you also, follow the guide ?!

Portrait - Halis Aydin

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:32:07Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Halis Aydin

Particular sign : was professional boxing Champion of France in 2001

The human orchestra for sports and leisure

An optimist on Courtille Lake, windsurfing at Vassivière ? Perhaps climbing or even mountain biking on the slopes of Maupuy. Or perhaps hang-gliding ? Roller blades, table tennis, football, running… and even boxing ? No, don't bother asking ! You won't find a single sport on Creuse land, water or in the sky that Halis Aydin hasn't tried. He says it himself : sport is his drug. It's how he finds his balance and serenity. And the only thing that sometimes gets in the way : time, that's all.
So if you're looking for an “all round athlete” this summer, it'll be on the Courtille beaches that you'll have the best chance of finding him. And of course, he'll be either running after a ball or with a fencing sword in his hand. Actually, Halis Aydin is a sports monitor and on behalf of the town of Guéret, he'll be looking after our sun-kissed children during the school holidays. But, look out ! For this former professional boxer and today president of the Guéret club, sport equals leisure. “We're not looking for competitors. We want to introduce children to the idea of sport as a game. We're not here to be a crèche !” The aim is also to teach them about sporting codes, codes that they'll use every day for the rest of their lives.
And that's what Halis holds so dear in his heart. Arriving in Guéret from his native Istanbul when he was eight, he immediately found his way through sport and notably boxing thanks to the sports monitors who were at Guéret Town Hall at the time. A town that then supported him in becoming a top-level athlete while taking his State monitor exams. And today, it gives him great pleasure to be able to pass on all year round, what sport taught him at a young age. So, don't hesitate. This summer you too can, without worry, dive into Creuse leisure activities.

Portrait - Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Vaury

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:31:52Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Vaury

Particular sign : dreams of building an enormous aviary to gather together all his birds

Birds of a feather…

Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Vaury didn't fall into a cauldron of magic potion when he was young, but into the bottom of a nest. For his fifth birthday he received a couple of Pink-headed turtledoves. Since then, his passion has taken off. Of course, at the beginning of your visit to the Clautres teaching farm will be astonished to find hidden under the guise of a guide, a young man of no more than 20 years old. But don't worry ; this is no cuckoo in another bird's nest. And if you think that this visit is nothing to get excited about, you will find yourself going on a fowl tour of the world ! Starting with the Egyptian owl to the Norwegian marsh tit and passing by the Chilean Wigeon.You'll also meet the Frizzled Paduan from Italy and other birds like the "ponpon" duck with its strange ball of flesh and the Indian Runner duck with its strange walk. You'll be able to hear the cry of the gigantic red Ardennes turkey. You'll admire the Guinea Nightjar with its small teeth ; a race in which Mrs is the exact copy of Mr. You'll discover the Sheldrakes - curiosities that are half duck, half goose. but which ones mate for life ? Which are an endangered species ? What did the English bring back from Asia ? Which migrate and where to ? What birds lay black eggs ? Jean-Baptiste will know how to answer and communicate his passion, having the information on more than 60 species at his feather tips.
Your guide will also lead you to meet the cows, donkeys and pigs that inhabit the family farm at Bord-Saint-Georges. However, you'll quickly understand that as much as he loves these hairy animals they can't compare, in his eyes, to the magnificent plumage of his birds. After having met this hen that lays the golden eggs, all that's left for you to do is to take flight towards the discovery of other Family Creuse sites.

Portrait - Jean-Noël Pinaud

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:31:35Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Jean-Noël Pinaud

Particular sign : stage director of the Bridiers Historical Fresco

Once upon a Bridiers...

Once upon a time, in La Souterraine, there was the story of the Bridiers Historical Fresco. At the beginning there was the Tower, the only donjon that survived more than 10 centuries turbulent history. Even when in bad condition, it has always been present in the La Souterraine countryside. There are also the neighbouring inhabitants of all ages who have dragged their feet over the mediaeval stones. And then, came Jean-Noël Pinaud. A "real history buff" as he likes to call himself. Almost normal when one is born like him, is surrounded by ramparts in the Haut-Vienne town of Le Dorat ! All came together when in 2005 Jean-Noël came to work in La Souterraine on a show for the 60th anniversary of 8 May 1945. This sound and light stage director for 25 years of the Le Dorat History Nights Festival took the opportunity to visit the Tower. And with the Association for Promoting the Heritage of Bridiers he rose to the occasion. In August 2006, the Bridiers Historical Fresco was born. Surrounded by the 2005 team he created a show where the tower and La Souterraine's inhabitants played the principal roles. With 600 volunteers of which 450 on stage, around 50 local associations and more than 6000 spectators in three years — it's an unqualified success. The stage direction is without fault on the historical side ; the whole of the organisation team make sure of that. But without a doubt it's because the hand of a master, Jean-Noël's, is present that only two general rehearsals are needed for the show to be a success. Since 2006 the Tower has been restored, Jean-Noël now lives in La Souterraine, there are more and more volunteers and a famous name has appeared : Pierre Tchernia has become a favoured voice off and will be joined in 2009 by the actor Robin Renucci.
You too can read from Bridiers' history book and leap into the charm of these old stones as well as other historical buildings in the Creuse.

Portrait - Michel Manville

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:30:54Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Michel Manville

Particular sign : manages the only départemental House of French Architecture and Heritage

"Heart" of villages

In the Creuse there are more churches and chapels than there are towns. Any visitor is then drawn to admire their silhouettes so "elegant and light, surging out of this rough and hard granite" as muses Michel Manville chief heritage custodian to the Creuse Conseil Général. If the majority of them are Romanesque, Gothic influences are particularly strong in Chambon-sur-Voueize and Bénévent-l'Abbaye and amongst the most remarkable can be found beautiful murals in the churches of Saint-Martin-Sainte-Catherine, Felletin, Saint-Frion…

However Michel Manville, through his studies of the geomorphology and ethnology of all the social and cultural characteristics of human groups, wants to teach us to have a vision of churches that goes beyond the building's architecture. Thus, when standing in the entrance of a Creuse village's church, you will understand that you're in a specific place. You are "at the centre of the village and what used to be the centre of the parish, a place that constitutes the power of sacredness. For a long time this place brought together the surrounding villages which were representatives as such of elementary rural economic cells." Because the village was in fact the foundation of Limousin and above all Creuse, society. "The Limousin is like no other French region, the social structures here are very different. Villages weren't created just anywhere, everything has a reason and a story within the coherent environment. It is self-sufficient, a real legal and moral entity." In the 19th century, even the term "petite République" (small Republic) was used. In this organisation, the church obviously was important : inhabitants of the surrounding villages came to listen to God's word but also the news and certainly to spread rumours. Thus thinking to experience simple, but oh so rich, Creuse architectural heritage you can't help but reflect on all the country and social heritage of which the foundations are still visible all around us.

Portrait - Valérie and Sylvain Lanusse

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:30:38Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Valérie and Sylvain Lanusse

Particular sign : were awarded the 2008 Stars and Skills prize for the dynamism of their company

Waking up tastebuds...

If your stay in the Creuse leads you to the la Bonne Auberge in Nouzerines it won't be by sheer luck. But because you're looking for the warm and friendly welcome of this excellent restaurant situated in a village of only 260 souls. A house to which you, and above all your children, will be welcomed, as for them there's a special "small gourmet" menu to wake up their taste buds. You'll start your meal with a kir Limousin, a local speciality made from side and chestnut liqueur. On the menu, excellent and refined gourmet cooking, seasoned with local products : beef and pork from animals raised in the area. You'll also find game such as Royal Hare stuffed with truffles and foie gras, ancient types of vegetables chosen by a neighbouring vegetable grower, a large choice of locally produced cheeses, desserts made from seasonal fruit... And if Sylvain, from Bordeaux, is king of the kitchen everyone plays their part. Valérie is responsible for the wines and will help you discover her wine list of 120 references amongst which several come from the region. With moderation of course, but if you overindulge the first floor bedrooms are waiting to welcome you ! You'll fall in love with this small inn just as Valérie and Sylvain did 10 years ago while visiting family nearby. However, for this young couple having moved all over France, it was unbelievable that they could become owners of such an establishment and certainly in this "lost" area. But they learnt how to cultivate their philosophy of hostelry : invest in the best for the well-being and pleasure of their customers, like the creation of a covered terrace, without forgetting family life. They were even able to appreciate the welcome of their fellow members of the Creuse Toques Blanches (white chefs' hats) when Sylvain was invested in 2001, and who quickly became a “true group of friends”. You too can appreciate the wares they have to offer in their own eating establishments.

Portrait - Alain Freytet

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:30:22Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Alain Freytet

Particular sign : he regrets never having spoken Occitan, it pervades the heritage of the Creuse

Country sketchbook

In walking around Landes Lake, in Chabrières Wolf Park, beside the Pontarion fishing and nature space or even to the Clamouzat rocks on the Plateau de Millevaches, the Creuse offers you a feast of landscapes to please your eyes. A man has worked on all of these, but don't bother looking for evidence of his work. What he does is sensitive and subtle. You must wake up all your senses to attempt to see it. In letting yourself be guided by a path that seems so natural, your eye is pulled towards exactly what there is to see… It's the art of Alain Freytet, the art of certain landscapers who are d.p.l.g., or diplômé par le gouvernement (awarded a diploma from the government) and who have chosen to work in the rural world.
Alain Freytet attended the National Higher School of Landscaping in Versailles and where he still teaches today. Having grown up in the département of the Essonne, in a village with the foretelling name of Verrières-le-Buisson, he spent all his holidays in the Creuse family farm close to Maisonnisses. It's here that he chose to settle down. The Creuse places him in a central position allowing him to work anywhere in France, whether it be in Pointe des Poulains at Belle-Île en Mer or on the Corsican coast at Bonifacio. This simply allows him to promote and embellish his département's landscapes. A landscaper's work isn't to simply make a place prettier, to bedeck it with a few geranium-filled planters or lay down a lawn on which it's forbidden to walk. Rather, it's to “make people sensitive to what's around them and make the countryside accessible to them”. For this, he spends a large amount of time on the ground to take in the sites, and also the people that live there. His major inspirations are history and heritage, sketching all that surrounds him into his sketchbook making his projects true snapshots of his voyage. You also, can travel on a discovery of Creuse nature…

Portrait - Alain Menut

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:30:04Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Alain Menut

Particular sign : 17 years ago he co-founded with five friends, the Creuse Oxygène sports club

The Creuse : green fuel

In order to promote a region, it's necessary to have movers to get it going. Creuse Oxygène sports club is certainly one of these and its president Alain Menut is a mover beyond compare. Since its creation in 1992, the organisation has never ceased to bring in as many members as a number of sports it develops : Mountain biking, road cycling, BMX, cyclocross, raid… In the beginning of Creuse Oxygène, a ”group of six friends” wanted to create a traditional cycling club but more turned towards a discipline recently arrived in the region : mountain biking. The declared aim : allow people to discover the sport so well adapted to the Creuse paths and by-ways. Since then, several French Cup stages have been organised in the Creuse and events such as the Grande Traversée du Limousin and the Oxygène Cup take place every year.
The Monts de Guéret mountain bike space was created with the Communauté de Communes Guéret-Saint-Vaury and more than 600 km of paths have been marked. After promoting sport, the club decided to branch out : outdoor leisure activities and green tourism. For this, Creuse Oxygène launched a grand festival based on the forest to pay it homage : Forest Follies. The event seems to have taken root with more than 5000 visitors for the first edition in 2008. These multitudes of ideas and organisation owe a large part of their existence to Creuse Oxygène's president, Alain Menut. A workaholic who acknowledges that he needs “five or six lives to do everything he wants to do”. For the moment he's fully managed two of them : his professional obligations and his voluntary work as president of the club the rest of the time. His fuel ? His love of the area and to give it “a positive image”. And in following one of the many Creuse paths either on foot or bike, you'll without doubt, have a taste of the Creuse alchemy that gives such vigour to the Creuse Oxygène team.

Portrait - Abel Guittard

Michel Kinet — 2009-04-15T15:29:10Z

The Creuse 2009 Portrait/Magazine for holidays and leisure – Delphine Charles

Abel Guittard

Particular sign : he's the leader of the pack in the Monts de Guéret

Wolf, where are you ?

Atypical ! That's the word that comes up when talking about Abel Guittard. A word that he himself likes using. Atypical also describes his career. He started work in a supermarket when very young. However, this young man from Guéret overcame many obstacles to finally take on the directorship of one of the most important tourist structures in the Creuse : the Monts de Guéret Animal Park. This park is atypical as well by the very animals that it shelters : at least 40 wolves divided into five different packs. In fact, in crossing to the other side of the fence, from simple visitor to director and manager of the site and a team of professional keepers, Abel was bitten by the bug for these carnivores, steeped in myths and legends.
“After three years, I don't know if they are fascinated by me, but I still continue to be totally fascinated by them !” Exactly fascinated as the hundreds of thousand of those who have visited the Chabrières Wolf Park since it opened in 2001. But rather than resting on his laurels and staying hidden like an animal in its lair, Abel wants to make the park an introduction for tourists visiting the Creuse ; a real point of reference in the Guéret countryside. With his team, he tries to better adapt the site for what the tourists want. But the park would be nothing without other Creuse attractions.
“The other sites in the département are not in competition with us but complementary : The Labyrinth, Scénovision in Bénévent, Masgot village, Valdi circus, Pouligny Tilery… We invite our visitors to move around.” He's convinced that the longer holidaymakers stay in the Creuse the more they'll like it. And it's thus he plays his most important role : park ambassador or even beyond that, ambassador of an area that he says has as many attractions as do other départements. And is Abel atypical in this as well ? No ! Everyone here will tell you the same thing, being ambassador for our beautiful département : that's typical of the Creuse !