The Commune: Royère de Vassivière...Its Forests, its lively running waters and its lakes...A green and blue commune in the Natural Regional Park of the Millevaches*

(*From Old French - "Thousand Sources").

History:

We have only a few historic elements of Royère's history known, as it originates largely from the Gallo-Roman era. From the 13th century, with wars, alliances, and divisions that took place, Royère found itself with Bourganeuf, Peyrat & Nedde in an enclave of Poitou, inside the Limousin. During the 100 year war, the two castles that existed in Royère were destroyed. One of them was a fortress whose remains are thought to be under a mound at the north east side of the town.

The population of Royère had been decimated by many reprisals, by the black death, then by inevitable migration over the centuries of people seeking work in the larger towns, and more recently by the first world war. Royère lost half its population between 1850 and 1950. The 19th century saw the further fall of the economy in the commune due to a failure of the rye crop. The numerous villages around were self sufficient, and Royère was the centre of both market and culture. Some important markets took place there in good times. Cold and snowy winters often occurred locking down the town and the villages around for months at a time.

It was in the 20th Century that Royère took the full name of Royère de Vassivière.

Its rough environment has made the commune a land of emigration, resistance and freedom. Witnessed by amongst others, Felix Gaudy who was shot as an example to others. His memory is revived each year by a walk between Royère and Gentioux. Gentioux is celebrated for its memorial to death, which carries the inscription "Maudite soit la guerre" - "Cursed be the war".

It is only since the creation of the lakes, of Lavaud-Gelade, whose earth dyke holds back the waters of the river Taurion, and of Vassivière, whose more modern concrete dams and dyke hold back the river Maulde, making a vast 1000 Hectares of water, that tourism has developed.

Today, life in the commune combines traditional farming, crafts, industry and tourism.

Geography:

In the south of the department of Creuse, Royère de Vassivière is bounded to the south by the plateau of the Millevaches, and to the north by less hilly terrain. The Town itself is on the north west of the plateau, on a medium sized hill of 740 metres altitude. The commune extends over 7414 Hectares, taking in the north east part of the lake Vassivière and the west side of Lake Lavaud-Gelade.

At a distance of around 60 to 150 kilometres from some of the bigger towns (Limoges, Montluçon, Clermont Ferrand) but close enough to the active centres such as Guéret its administrative capital, and Aubusson, capital of the tapestries, and Bourganeuf, centre of the community of communes, Royère de Vassivière and its 34 Hamlets have been preserved from complete disfigurement of their landscape and heritage.

Administration:

The very situation of Royère de Vassivière has meant the appearance of several administrative structures: la communauté de communes de Bourganeuf - Royère de Vassivière is just one part, The Syndicate of mixed communes and regions of Vassivière another, (the lake sits astride the border of the departments of Creuse and Haute Vienne), and the Natural Regional Park of the Millevaches in the Limousin is the final part.

 The Countryside:

Natural Open Spaces: These open spaces of Royère de Vassivière occupy the larger part of the communal lands. Wooded areas dominate, Interspersed with large open spaces cut through with brooks, rivers and many ponds. Granite outcrops emerge everywhere in rocky chaos. Broadleaved trees appear spontaneously from largely abandoned terrain, formerly occupied by beech groves, together with pine forests make up 60% of the lands. The heather moors, the wet moors, peat and bogs extend into the remaining space. Cultivated land, given the rest has become a little modest, makes a few holes in this terrain. The crop of channels brooks and rivulets are very plentiful. Their waters come together in the river Maulde which winds its way across the peaty plateau, and into the river Taurion which falls into the "Rigole du diable". A number of villages have their own ponds well entrenched into their countryside.

The commune has a relief of bobbly summits and small valleys; these different elements combine to form rare eco systems, rich in number and diversity, each of them carrying unique items of flora or fauna, and comprising of a number of protected species. These can be found all along the nature walks.

The Lakes of Vassivière and Lavaud-Gelade:

The lake Vassivière is amongst the largest lakes of France, It is certainly a major local tourist attraction. On its shores, some of the beaches offer swimming, some ports offer pleasure boating, and most water sports are available. The lake encircles the Isle of Vassivière, famous for its arts and crafts centre, and its sculpture park.
The lake Lavaud-Gelade, though less known extends over 275 hectares. It is historically the first reservoir to take waters from the west side of the Plateau of the Millevaches. This lake is kept wild, classed as a second category lake. It is a paradise for fishermen.
The two lakes are within a remarkable countryside, a wealth of environment and landscape.

Architectural and Local Heritage:

 The church at Royère (contructed during 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries) was on the 9th March 1963, placed on the list of historic monuments. The commune itself appears on numerous repertoires of sites and edifices including crosses, fountains, ancient farm buildings and some quality town houses. There are some other remains of indeterminate age scattered around the commune.

Businesses and Crafts:

The current businesses that can be found are: A bar/internet cafe/ boutique/restaurant, butchery, a baker, a mini-mart, a garage, a pharmacy, several other restaurants, a hair salon, and a paper shop/tobacconist, together with a market each Tuesday morning, at which time there is a branch of a regional bank open. During the holiday season there is also a mobile pizzeria on Saturday evening in the square by the church.

Other Services :

An ambulance service, library, cash machine, Junior school, Fire & Rescue, gendarmerie, Nurses, Marie, General Practioner, multimedia point, post office, tourist office, filling station (24/24), taxis.

Associations:

A number of local groups fill the calendar with social, sporting, cultural and touristique activities.

Leisure:

The local library offers a good choice of books, and tourists are made most welcome. The cyber café gives the opportunity of computer games.

From time to time throughout the year there are concerts, displays, films and other festivities.

Royère is at the centre of an abundant network of highways and byways for walking, horse riding or cycling where you might discover the local heritage.

Horse riding for all ages can be found in an equestrian centre not far from the town.

Fishing and Water sports. Kayaking, canoeing, swimming, bathing, sailing and water skiing... All types of fishing can be done one these lakes, and some ponds and rivers.

Entertainment in the town and roundabout:
The Commune fête takes place on 15th August each year as does the foot face. The Christmas market takes place on the first full weekend of December each year.

There are a number of motor sport competitions, such as quad racing and motocross that take place throughout the year in the commune and neighbouring communes.

On the Isle of Vassivière, the centre of art and heritage houses a part of the library of art of the Limousin, and shows exhibitions and other educational displays.

During august the Festival of Conte is an international event that brings all artists of France together.
In October the publishers of independent comics opens their doors to up and coming young artists.

There you have it. Royère de Vassivière and its vast territory have some privileged places for the heritage minded, for the lovers of open air sport, for those who seek a bit of tranquillity without feeling isolated, and a simple and hearty welcome.

Events
9th Christmas Market takes place on 6th 7th December at the Salle Polyvalente.

Agenda 2009 - 2010

Information

Envelopes souvenirs of Royère Available!