Shopping
- The nearest epicerie is in Flayat, a 5 minute drive away, and there's an artisan boulanger in St Merd, 5 minutes in the opposite direction.
- There are small but adequate supermarkets in Giat (12 minutes) and Crocq (15 minutes), where you can also buy petrol (though it's cheaper in Aubusson or Ussel).
- There are larger supermarkets and a much wider range of shops and restaurants/cafes in Ussel (35 minutes), and Aubusson (40 minutes).
- Felletin (35 minutes) has an excellent weekly market on Fridays. Giat has markets roughly every 2 weeks, but you need to check for the dates - it's not the same day every time.
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| A bread stall at Giat market |
Eating out
The best thing on the whole is to have lunch out rather than dinner. You can get some excellent three-course, leisurely lunches for about 12 euros for the set meal.
- Lunch at Le Fil de L'Eau at Meouze (5 minutes) is a set menu that you need to book, but is gargantuan and always well-cooked. Bargain eating! For around 10-12 euros you get three courses and a litre of wine!
- Hotel Robert in Giat (English owned) does lunch every day, and evening meals at weekends. There's set menus of varying prices and although the choice is a bit limited, it's tasty and well-cooked.
- Hotel St Eloi in Crocq also does daily lunch and evening meals. Very French, and with excellent food and wine. There are set menus and an a la carte.
- Hotel Le Petit Breuille in La Courtine (20 minutes) is a Logis hotel so the food is good. Book ahead for dinner, as they sometimes have large functions on. Both set menus and a la carte.
- Several places do good lunches in both Aubusson and Felletin. Favourites in Aubusson are Le Petit Reine, near the Tourist Information office, which is a Breton creperie that cookes delicious and filling galettes. Le Bistro at the top of the main street has a very competent young chef who consistently produces excellent tasting lunchtime meals.
