5 Days Hiking on the Millevaches Plateau

at a glance 

Entering a Place Apart

As soon as you step off the train in Bugeat, the tone is set with a first 12 km hike that gently gets you moving. Climbing small hills and peaks, you quickly realise you are in the Limousin mountains.

These efforts are well rewarded by the surrounding landscapes, with countless shades of green as you cross valleys, rivers and forests.

The day ends in the charming village of Tarnac, at the Hôtel des Voyageurs, where a cosy room awaits you for a well-earned rest.

at a glance 

Starry Peat Bogs

One last friendly glance at your hosts, and you set off again, this time accompanied by a guide for the next two days. Leave the maps in your bag and follow a local who knows every corner by heart.

Along the shores of Lake Servière, your guide shares the secrets of local biodiversity with clarity and enthusiasm. On the GR440 trail, you discover the beautiful peat bog of Négarioux-Malsagne before heading southeast towards the village of Peyrelevade.

As night falls, another walk awaits you on the plateau. Free from light pollution, the sky reveals a dazzling ballet of stars. Your guide helps you decipher the mysteries of the night. You go to bed with stars in your eyes.

at a glance 

International Dark Sky Reserve

But where are the cows? On the way to the village of Millevaches, you learn that the name has nothing to do with cattle, but comes from the Celtic “batz”, meaning “spring”, forming “mille batz” or “mille vacca” — “a thousand sources”.

Now that you know this, you begin to notice the many streams crossing your path. Your guide takes you to the source of the Vienne River.

At the Maison du Parc Naturel de Millevaches, you enjoy another unusual experience close to the stars. Set up your tent (provided as part of the trip) in the bivouac area at the heart of the park.

Head raised and eyes wide open, you gaze at a sky like you have never seen before. Hypnotised by this magical spectacle, you let the night surround you and the sounds of nocturnal life lull you to sleep.

Dinner and overnight stay in the bivouac area (tents provided).

at a glance  

The Roof of Limousin

A wooden walkway winds through the Longeyroux peat bog, one of the largest in the region. Informational panels explain this wetland, rich in discreet yet precious biodiversity.
Perched on a branch, a small shrike watches you pass. Nearby, a sundew, a fascinating carnivorous plant, slowly closes on its prey.

The climb to Mont Bessou offers a wonderful reward: from its summit at 977 metres, the view stretches across the Massif Central, from the Auvergne volcanoes to the mountains of Cantal.

The day ends in Meymac, with a restful night at the charming Hôtel Chez Françoise.