23500 raisons pourquoi we love La Creuse

TripAdvisor Certifcate of Excellence Award

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:14:00 +0000

The Chambres d'hôtes 3 place des arbres, Felletin, 23500 has just won a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor.
We now have 40 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.

TripAdvisor a le plaisir d'adresser ses felicitations a 3 Place des Arbres pour ce prestigieux Certificat d'Excellence 2012.
Nos voyageurs s'accordent tous sur la qualite de votre etablissement et votre note de 4.5 prouve votre reussite.

Seuls les meilleurs etablissements sont recompenses et recoivent un Certificat d'Excellence.

3 Place des Arbres

Folklore du Monde 2011, Felletin

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:50:00 +0000

Chaque année à le début du août Felletin est rempli par les couleurs et sons du monde. Cette année c'est le 34e Festival Danses, Musiques et Voix du Monde en Felletin

Each year at the beginning of August Felletin is filled by the colours and sounds of the world. This year is the 34th festival of dance, music and voices of the world in Felletin.

Cette année il y a groupes qui viennes de Mexique, Iran,
Bali/Indonésie, Brésil, Portugal, Québec/Canada, Pologne, Macédoine, Italie, Argentine, et bien sur la Creuse

This year there are groups from Mexico, Iran, Bali/Indonesia, Bresil, Portugal, Canada, Poland, Macedonia, Italy, Argentina and of course La Creuse.

Le mariage royal? C'est du n'importe quoi !

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:52:00 +0000

Le vendredi 29 avril c'est l'événement que nous attendions tous avec impatience. Non ce n’est pas le mariage de William et Kate – c’est les journées de feutre à Felletin !

This Friday, 29th April, is the event we have all been waiting for with baited breath. No, it's not the wedding of William and Kate - it's the days of Felt in Felletin!

C’est les deuxièmes européennes journées de feutre à Felletin. Ainsi que une marché des feutriers il sera également les conférences-débats, ateliers enfants, formations débutants une défilé de mode et stages professionnels.

It's the second europeen days of Felt in Felletin. As well as a craft market there will also be conferences and debates, workshops for children as well as for adult beginners and professionals and a fashion parade.

Venez nombreux !

Journées Européennes du Feutre

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Felletin: Fête de la Bière 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Un village français...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Quand nous déménageons ici, il y a 3 ans nous avons décidé que nous n’aurais pas la télévision anglaise. Mais les émissions françaises, sont ils valent la peine regarder ?

When we moved here, 3 years ago, we decied we would not have English television. But French television, is it worth watching?

Comme à la télévision anglaise il y a beaucoup des émissions françaises qu’on peut jeter dans la poubelle. Mais il y a aussi des bonnes émissions.

Just like English television there are lots of french programmes you could throw in the bin. But there are also some good programmes.

Une des émissions nous aimons le meilleur est Un Village Français.

One of our favourite shows is Un Village Français.

C’est 1940 et les vies de tous les habitants de Villeneuf sont changés quand l’armée allemande se arrivent.

It’s 1940 and the lives of all the inhabitants of Villeneuf are changed when the German army arrives.

Tout le monde doit faire un choix…

Everyone must make a choice…

Nous avons regardé la troisième série directe et puis nous avons acheté la première et la deuxième séries en DVD. C’est un dommage que le deuxième séries n’avaient pas les sous-titres français (c’est plus facile pour nous si nous pouvons entendre les mots et les voir a le même temps.

We watched the 3rd series on television and then we bought the 1st and 2^nd series on DVD. It was a shame the second series didn't have French subtitles (it is easier for us to hear the words and see them on the screen at the same time)

Felletin - Agenda 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:35:00 +0000

26 Février 2011 - Carnaval. Défilé 16h. Repas (Moules Frites ou option végétarien) 19h30

28 Avril - 1 Mai 2011 Journées européennes du feutre de laine
2-3 Juillet 2011 Fête patronale de Felletin - feu d'artifice, retrait au flambeau, chars fleuris, bal dansant.

16 Juillet 2011 Felletin Fête de la bière - 2em année: musique, animations, repas, et (bien sûr) la bière!

4-5 Août 2011 Folklore du Monde Felletin
12 Août 2011 Journée de Livre Felletin
27 Août 2011 LMB (Felletin) 100 ans
21 Août 2011 Brocante Pont Roby Felletin
8 Octobre 2011 Gala Dansant

28-30 Octobre 2011 Journées de la laine Felletin

Le Marché de Felletin (Felletin Market)

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:27:00 +0000

Un des les raisons les gens étrangers aiment France est les marchés ; les légumes frais délicieux et les artisans locaux à venir vendre leurs marchandises.

One of the reasons people love France is the markets; delicious fresh vegetables and local artisans coming to sell their wares.

Il y a beaucoup de monde qui viennent à le marché á Felletin et il est un des meilleurs marchés dans La Creuse

Felletin Market is one of the busiest and best in La Creuse.

Chaque vendredi beaucoup de petits agriculteurs locaux (il y a de plus en plus de agriculteurs bio), des artisans et des vendeurs viennent vendre leurs marchandises. Chaque août c'est le point de convergence du festival de Folklore du Monde.

Each Friday lots of small local farmers (including an increasing number of organic small holders), artisans and vendors come to sell their wares. Each August it is the focal point of the Folklore du Monde festival.

Journée du livre - Le Plaisir de Lire: Felletin

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:39:00 +0000

Pour certaines personnes le vendredi treize portent le malheur, mais si vous êtes un bibliophile et vous étiez en Felletin (23), le vendredi treize août 2010, puis vous auriez eu la chance.

La journée du livre accueille une soixantaine d’écrivains et plus de 7000 visiteurs dans le Gymnase de Felletin

Nous avions la chance, nous avons eu d’écrivains séjournent dans notre maison d'hôtes. Hédi Kaddour l'auteur deWaltenburg , Astrid Ellard l'auteur de Nuits de noces et David M. Thomas l'auteur de Un plat de sang andalou and Nos yeux maudits ont séjourné dans notre chambres 'hôtes

La journée du livre est organisé par l'association Le Plaisir de Lire.

Friday 13th may be unlucky for some, but if you are a lover of books and happened to be in Felletin, Limousin, France, then you would count yourself as very lucky.

With over 60 authors and 7000 visitors it is a huge event.

We were lucky enough to have several authors stay in our central France guest house.

Hédi Kaddour, author of Waltenburg (which is available in english and french) and Treason Astrid Ellard author of Nuits de noces and David M. Thomas author of Un plat de sang andalou and Nos yeux maudits all enjoyed the large luxurious rooms at our bed and breakfast, here in Felletin.

The journée du livre event is organised by the association Le Plaisir de Lire and is getting better and better.

Fête de la Biére 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 07:40:00 +0000

La première Fête de la Bière a lieu en Felletin, le 17 juillet 2010. Nous avons eu 14 bières différentes : les bières sont venu d’Allemagne, d’Autriche et de Pays de Galles ainsi que les trios brasseries de la Creuse (Félis, La Mille et Bière23).

The 17th July 2010 saw Felletin host its first ever Fête de la Biére. With 3 local breweries providing 4 different beers and as well as beers from the rest of France, as well as Germany, Austria and Wales there were 14 beers to enjoy.

L’association Les Fuses@niment a organisée la fête

Il y avait un vide-grenier, la musique et animations (la association Fellet’n Boots a dansé pour nous) et les repas (choucroute et un chili végétarien). Il y avait la possibilité de camper.

It was organised by the association Les Fuse@niment.

There was also a vide-grenier (car boot sale), music and entertainment all day, and food (choucroute and a vegetarian chili). There was also free camping available so people did not have to worry about traveling.

C’était un succès fou ! Au moins de 1500 personnes sont venu pour goûter et danser – les Fuses et l’étrangers faisait la fête ensemble jusqu'à 2 heures le matin.

It was a resounding success, with over 1500 people attending. Everyone had a great time - locals and tourists partied together until 2am.

L’année prochaine la fête de la bière sera de plus grande et encore meilleur !

Next year will be bigger and better - for more information, email us.

Fête de Felletin 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:11:00 +0000

Le Fête de Felletin 2010 ont été organisés pour le weekend 12 et 13 juin 2010

The Fête de Felletin 2010 was held over the weekend 12-13th June 2010.

Chaque année, pour la fête patronale il y a une fête foraine et les feux d’artifice, le samedi soir.

Each year, for its Fête Patronale, Felletin hosts a fun fair and has a firework display on the saturday night.

Pour les derniers deux ans l’association Les Fuses@niment a organisé aussi un retrait aux flambeaux (une procession de lueur de bougie) sur la nuit de samedi, avant les feux d'artifice.

For the last two years the association Les Fuses@niment have also organised a candlelight procession, through the town, on the saturday night, leading up to the firework display,

Les Fuses@niment organisent un défilé de chars fleuris, le dimanche.

On the Sunday the Fuses@niment organise a Parade featuring Floral Floats.

Le Fête de Felletin 2011 sera au début de juillet

Fête de Felletin 2011 will be at the beginning of July - email us for details

A surprise gift...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:58:00 +0000

Two ladies, who stayed with us during October's Days of Wool, returned yesterday (they were here buying more wool).

They brought with them a present, which they made for us from Felletin Wool, depicting our four cats.

We were genuinely touched.

Your chance to comment on the 1st draft of our new cook book!

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:28:00 +0000

The vegetarian chambres d’hotes 3placedesabres.com is releasing a cookbook (Vegetarian Felletin) of some of its best loved recipes. As a loyal reader of this blog you have a chance to download a PDF version of the 1st draft. Please email any comments you have on the book to contact@vegetarianandveganfrance.com

The book will be available from Lulu and Amazon later this year.

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

First swim in the lake...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:13:00 +0000

The weather has been lovely, so I decided to test the temperature of the lake

Not as cold as I thought it was....

I took the plunge. It was pretty cold but I warmed up ok...

Things are definately warming up, here...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Everything is springing into life at the moment:
In our lake the frogs and toads have been spawning:

And today in local Aubusson I saw these little fellows sunning themselves in a carpark:

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

New recipes...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 06:04:00 +0000

We have published lots of our recipes, including one for Lemon Cheesecake

We are now publishing new recipes on
Why not click on the link and check them out?

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

French B&B highlighted in Cook Vegetarian! magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Under the heading "French Paradise" the May issue of Cook Vegetarian! highlights the vegetarian B&B 3 Place des Arbres, in its Product Showcase section.

The May issue is packed with great recipes and other useful information and is on sale on 3rd April (unfortunately only in the UK, but those of you living in France may be able to order it through your local stockist, or click on the link below to subscribe).

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

New blog for people who love France and love vegetarian and vegan food

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Check out this new blog:

For people who live in, visit, or love France and also love vegetarian or vegan food.

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

Vegetarian-vegan wine from Bergerac

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:42:00 +0000

We were in Bergerac a couple of weekends ago (we have some friends down there) and too the opportunity to call into a vineyard on the way (Chateau Corbiac). They don’t use anything to filter the wine other than paper - no fish/eggs (the owner told us the reason for this is to ensure people with allergies to these products can safely drink their wine). We sampled the wine and came away with a few bottles of red and rose wine. Yum!

me outside Chateau Corbiac clutching a bottle of the 2004 red

Disclaimer: we can not be held resonsible if producers change their products, or if they have not been truthful in reporting their vegetarian/vegan status. If you have any information about any products please let us know

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

Spring has definately sprung...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:35:00 +0000

The cats are out and about, loving the sun (although there are rumours it will snow on Wednesday!)

Strange things are growing out of plant pots...

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

Ouch! A stitch in time, saves 19

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:13:00 +0000

When using a sharp knife do not try to cut a cable while it is in the palm of your hand. Only really stupid people do this. As I found out, it hurts when you slice your hand open and then have to have 19 stitches.

If you don't like the sight of blood (or stitches) don't scroll down...

Below is the doctor putting in stitch number 17...

Another Humpbuckle Article published on French Entree

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Click here to read our latest article to be published on French Entree.com.

Why not check out the vegetarian section on French Entree?

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, in the heart of France
Felletin, La Creuse, Limousin

Signs of spring..?

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:42:00 +0000

We've been up at the lake, this week, and there are signs that spring is on it's way. It is definitely warmer, and there are signs of life. We saw a tiny catfish in the stream, and our fish are creating ripples on the surface of the lake as they come up for food.

I have always loved seeing the first snowdrops come up, so was delighted to find them at the lake.

We have been planting trees and other plants including lupins (which are one of Mrs H's favorites)
This week I set about building a compost heap.

Recycling is the key here, so I used 4 old pallets which had been left up at the lake by the previous owners, and screwed them together.

Not the most attractive thing in the world (but it is a compost heap not a work of art or a garden ornament!) All our green kitchen waste will now be composted here.

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, La Creuse, Limousin

Carnaval - committed to la comité

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:51:00 +0000

When we saw a poster publicising a meeting about organising events and fêtes in Felletin we decided to attend, as anything that attracts visitors is good for 3 Place des Arbres, our chambre d’hotes located in the heart of the town.

At the meeting, it was hard to follow the conversation (even though Andrea speaks good French and I understand a reasonable amount) as many people spoke at once. However, there was one word that stood out for both of us. Loud and clear: cotisations

Anyone who lives, or has lived, in France will know this word. Intimately. If cotisations was a person you would know them so well you would probably be related to them. Uncle Cotisation would not be one of your favourite relatives, you understand; you wouldn’t even invite him round for tea. Good heavens, no. As soon as you popped to the kitchen to put the kettle on, he would have your handbag off the mantelpiece, his grubby mitts rummaging around for your purse, hoping to liberate the spare change.

There was a debate about how much the cotisations should be. Some said it should be 5 euros. Other people argued for the cost to be double that, and they won. This seemed very alien to us - very un-British. Giving up your spare time and then paying for the privilege doesn’t seem right. Unless the money goes toward tea and biscuits. That would be ok. After all in Britain it would be unthinkable for people to go to a meeting and not be rewarded with a nice cup of tea. Although as each meeting started at 8.30pm, often finished around 11pm, perhaps a nice cup of cocoa may have been more appropriate.

We shrugged and paid our 10 Euros each.

The first major event to be planned would be a carnival at the end of February and this was to be followed by the Fete de Felletin in June.

There was talk of needing what sounded like “Chats” or “Chars”, something beginning with “Cha”, anyway. Neither of us had heard of this. Whatever they were, apparently they were big and they were expensive. They couldn’t be talking about cats, surely. They are neither big, nor expensive. Apart from lions, or tigers, of course.

Later, we looked up Char in the dictionary:

Char (Noun) 1. Military Tank; char leger/moyen/lourd light/medium/heavy tank; char d’assault ou de combat tank; fait comme un char built like a tank

Military Tanks? As in gigantic war machines with large caterpillar tracks, and turrets, and huge guns? What kind of festival was this? Had we joined a far-left group by mistake? Perhaps this was the paramilitary wing of the comité des fêtes. We appeared to be helping plan a communist-style military parade. Perhaps our cotisations weren’t going towards tea and biscuits, after all, but instead would fund a cache of arms, an attempt to overthrow the government and create a new Republic.

We checked the dictionary. There was another definition. With bated breath, we read on:

Char 2. (de carnaval) float.

So our cotisations weren’t to fund a revolution, Sarkosy could sleep soundly until the next election. Nor (as we found out at later meetings) were they to be used to supply tea, coffee, biscuits, or cocoa. They were required to pay for publicity (where do you think those annoying windscreen fliers that get stuck in your wiper-blades come from?), and to help purchase things needed to organise the first event, which in turn would help fund future events.

Carnival planning continued: the evening meal would be paella.

“Will you be eating with us?” the president of the committee asked Andrea, as everyone else was loudly chattering amongst themselves.

“No, I’m vegetarian,” she replied, “I can’t eat that: I don’t eat meat or fish.”

“I don’t suppose you could eat it if we just took the meat and fish out.”

“Sorry, no,” a hesitation, and then; “I could make my own – a vegetarian paella.”

The president looked confused. “What do you put in vegetarian paella?”

There was a sudden lull in the conversation around the room: everyone appeared to be wondering what the strange vegetarian lady would say next. It was as if a deathly silence had descended on the room, smothering all the talk with a blanket of shush. Even if you weren’t paying attention, you could hear the dressmaker, in the next village, swear under her breath over the clatter of a dropped pin.

“So, what do you put in a vegetarian paella?”

As the question hung in the air, like the scent of overripe cheese sweating in a dirty sock, Andrea could feel every eye in the room burning into her. She realised had their undivided attention. She was aware she had a unique opportunity to share and enlighten the group on the joys of vegetarian cooking.

She nervously cleared hear throat and, into the sound vacuum of the room a single word wriggled its way, reluctantly, out of her mouth.

“Vegetables,” she squeaked.

Despite this monumental recipe revelation, it was at this point that people lost interest and went back to talking at each other.

The carnival day arrived and everything went smoothly. We were amazed at the level of organisation how hard everyone worked. People had been decorating the room the night before, had worked from early in the morning and were still clearing tables and sweeping up at 4am. All this for no reward, other than hosting an event the whole community can enjoy.

The paella was indeed a meat and fish fest, with not a vegetable in sight, not even a solitary pea.

As the last few dishes were being served we heated up the pan of vegetable paella, Andrea had lovingly prepared earlier. People looked at it with interest. Or amusement – it was hard to tell.

It was delicious, and as usual Andrea had made much too much for the two of us, so she loaded up another dish and went round to the members of the committee.

“Would you like to try this vegetarian paella?” She said, serving spoon in her hand.

“I can’t eat that,” more than one person replied, with a smile. “I’m not a vegetarian.”

Of course they did try it, and one or two even suggested that we might make the meal vegetarian, next year. They were joking, of course. But you never know - come next time and perhaps we will be able to offer you a meat-free alternative.

3placedesarbres.com: a vegetarian B&B, La Creuse, Limousin

If you're gonna cut 'em, you gotta plant 'em...

noreply@blogger.com (Humpbuckle Hylton) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Today, was a glorious day here in La Creuse, in central France.

Just the day to plant a few trees.

We have plans for the lake. It already has raspberry canes, hazelnuts, and blackberries. We are hoping to grow a few vegetables up there too, but we have started with fruit.

Yesterday we bought three different cherry trees, an apple tree (we need to buy another one, tomorrow, as you need more than one to ensure pollination), a blackcurrent, a redcurrent and a gooseberry bush.

We spent an enjoyable afternoon digging and planting the trees and bushes, and hopefully in a few years we will be enjoying the fruits of our labour (boom, boom!).

3placedesarbres.com: vegetarian B&B in the heart of France