dossier
Classic Lot Cycling
CLASSIC LOT CYCLING | WHERE YOU STAY
Hotel Les Gabarres **
Tour de Faure Days 1+10
This is the base hotel for our cycling holidays in the Lot. It’s a modern hotel - all rooms are ensuite with television, telephone and hairdryer
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 1 Arrive at Tour de Faure
Right at the bottom of the hill winding up to St Cirq-Lapopie is our popular hotel. Time for a swim before dinner which is taken at the Auberge de Roucayral, a short stroll from the hotel.
Day 2 Tour de Faure to Grèzes 40km/25mi
You ride along the Lot, then follow the Célé (all easy cycling). So much to see: the open-air museum of Cuzals, prehistoric art at Pech’Merle, the ruins of the abbey atMarcilhac, and the cliff villages of St Sulpice and Sauliac. Then up over the Causse de Gramat - great views - via Espédaillac and on to our super-friendly hotel in Grèzes. It’s a wonderfully peaceful spot in the heart of the Quercy National Park.
Hotel Le Grézalide ***
Grèzes Days 2+3
Situated in the sleepy little village of Grèzes in the National Park of the Causses de Quercy, this hotel was a real find. Marie-Agnès and Michel have completely transformed it. The simple but stylish rooms are either in the château building or in a modern patio building, where the rooms open out directly into the gardens.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 3 At Grèzes
After a swim in the heated pool, perhaps cycle to Assier (8km/5mi) where you can visit the Renaissance château. From here you can catch a train to Rocamadour - one of France’s most spectacular sites. Ancient chapels, houses and an elegant C14 fort hang by their fingernails from a near-vertical cliff, about 500m above the valley floor .
Day 4 Grèzes to Capdenac 34km/21mi or 38km/24mi
A great freewheel down into the Célé Valley then along the north bank of the river . The huddle of curious old buildings at Espagnac will lure you across the river to visit the priory. Here, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can continue to Béduer off-road, along the GR track. Then there is a choice of country lanes to Capdenac.
Auberge de la Diege **
Capdenac Days 4+5
The Auberge de la Diège enjoys a rural position 2km outside the centre of the ancient village of Capdenac. The hotel is a renovated old farmhouse not far from the banks of the Diège river. All the rooms are ensuite and have TV with English speaking channels. They all have hairdryers and some have air conditioning and mini bars (but not all).
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 5 At Capdenac
Our family-run hotel is just a couple of kms from Capdenac, in the charming little village of St Julien, in the Diège valley. There’s a lovely pool, jacuzzi and sauna if you fancy a ‘day off’, or perhaps cycle or train (8km/5mi) into medieval Figeac. Ancient buildings hide in cobbled alleyways, and you can visit the museum about Champollion, who deciphered the Rosetta Stone.
Day 6 Capdenac to Villefranche 29km/18mi or 39km/24mi
A lovely cycle route today starting off following the curve of the pretty Diège Valley. Lunch in the cobbled, arcaded streets of Villeneuve then an exhilarating downhill spin to our *** hotel just outside Villefranche. A great swimming pool if you fancy a dip - and the food is extra special too!
Relais de Farrou ***
Villefranche Days 6+7
The Relais de Farrou is just outside the town of Villefranche. A former coaching inn, it has been carefully modernized by Christine and Bernard Bouillard who have added a number of luxuries to tempt you. The hotel is surrounded by parkland, and each of the 26 very comfortable rooms are ensuite, with hair-dryer, direct telephone, televison satellite.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 7 At Villefranche
It’s a 5km/3mi cycle into the fortified bastide town of Villefranche perched on the banks of the Aveyron river . All streets lead to the arcaded central square - massive tower of the collegiate church and one of the largest cloisters in France. Or cycle through the spectacular Aveyron Gorges to Najac, and train (30 mins) back.
Day 8 Villefranche to Cajarc 37km/23mi or 47km/29mi
Today’s route takes you along quiet little country backroads and up onto the plateau. Stop for lunch in the pretty little village of St Croix (L’Ausset does the best chicken and garlicky potatoes we’ve ever come across!). It’s then a gentle ride to Foissac - well worth a detour to visit Les Grottes - before crossing the river to Cajarc.
Hotel La Segaliere ***
Cajarc Days 8+9
This recently refurbished, modern hotel has quite a contemporary feel to it. The spacious, bright and airy rooms are decorated in fashionable pastel colors, with modern facilities to match.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 9 At Cajarc
Medieval Cajarc is a lively town with its attractive old buildings grouped around the C13 church. It offers a good choice of walking and cycling options. A particular favourite is to cycle east along the north bank of the Lot taking in the pretty villages ofMontbrun – its ruined castle sits high on the cliff – and Larroque Toirac, with its 7-storey manor house. The pretty little hamlet of Ambeyrac is on the opposite side of the river . Return via the Saut de laMounine (Monkey’s Leap) – stunning picnic spot and the best views of the Lot!
Day 10 Cajarc to Tour de Faure 23km/14mi or 31km/19mi or 47km/29mi
Easy flat pedalling today passing first through Calvignac, then on to the Renaissance castle of Cenevières where the Count himself may show you around the great vaulted rooms and secret dungeons. As you continue along the valley, you might like to take an optional detour to the beautiful perched village of St Cirq-Lapopie: pretty cobbled lanes, half-timbered houses, quirky shops and Romanesque church.
Day 11 Leave Tour de Faure
You leave your hotel after breakfast.
For extra nights we recommend Cajarc and Toulouse.