Cabane-Spa Cocon du Gast

In addition to all the wellness activities on site, this peaceful corner of Limousin has great potential for mountain biking along forest trails straight from your cosy hideaway, or hiking along the Petite Creuse river (five minutes’ drive). The more adventurous among you can go climbing steep cliffs at Falaise du Pont des Piles (25 minutes); a more sedate pastime might be a round of golf (half an hour). There are also swimming beaches and gentle walks in the Brenne Regional Natural Park (40 minutes), and for something a little bit exotic, you can pet and feed semi-feral wolves at The Wolves of Chabrières (50 minutes). Arty types head for the Creuse Valley (25 minutes), where Impressionist painters captured the scenic landscapes on canvas. Some of their work can be seen in the Musée des Peintres de la Vallée de la Creuse in Crozant (also 25 minutes), where you can visit the hilltop ruins of a medieval fortress too.