Creuse is a department (number 23) in central France created during the French Revolution from the former province of La Marche. Several other departments surround the area, including Corrèze, Haute-Vienne, Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cher, and
Indre. The department, part of the
Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is situated in the Massif Central and is crossed by the Creuse River and its tributaries. The river is dammed at several locations for water supply and hydroelectricity generation. The climate in Creuse is characterised by relatively cold winters with occasional snowfall that lasts until April. Summers, however, are hot, and the region receives rainfall throughout the year due to its high elevation. Creuse is a sparsely populated rural area with a rich cultural heritage, including ancient and typical art de vivre, original stone architecture, and many heritage sites such as castles, abbeys, and Celtic stone monuments.
The area has also become a popular destination for green tourism since the late 1990s, thanks to its preserved forested landscape, low pollution, and beautiful stone buildings. Many foreigners, such as British, Dutch, German, and Belgian citizens, have been buying holiday homes in Creuse.
Some of the major tourist attractions in Creuse include the tapestry museum in Aubusson, many castles, including those of Villemonteix, Boussac, and Banizette, and the monastery of Moutier-d'Ahun, which features exceptional wood carvings from the 17th century. The Chapelle du Mas-Saint-Jean is located in Saint-Sulpice-le-Dunois, where local legend suggests that Joan of Arc prayed in about 1430. Guéret, the largest town in Creuse, is home to a sizable nearby animal park named Les Loups de Chabrières, which contains some of France's few remaining wolves held in semi-captivity. The park includes 24 European Grey Wolves, two Canadian White Wolves, and two Canadian Black Wolves in five enclosures.
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