dossier
Dordogne Cycling
Season: April to mid-October, startingSaturdays only
Level of Difficulty
Grade B (moderate). A reasonable standardof fitness is required. Daily stages 25-52km (15-32 mi). Average 39km/24 miles.Total distance 230km (142 mi) approx. Hilly terrain with ascents and descentsup to 300m/1000 feet.
The Bikes
Road bicycles with flat handlebars areprovided, equipped with a handle bar bag, water bottle, tool kit, rear carrierwith elastic, pump and lock. Cycle hire fee 90 Euros (approx US$135) per week,payable at the start of the tour. Helmets are available on request; however, wehighly recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons.
Maps & Route Notes
We provide IGN Serie Verte (1:100,000 TOP100) sheet 48 entitled 'Perigueux Tulle', which covers the whole route andshows considerable detail, together with 1:25000 copies on which the cyclingroute is highlighted. We also provide specially written route descriptions.
Accommodation
Country hotels of mainly 2-star category, with acomfortable Chambre d'Hote (B&B) near the 'red' village ofCollonges-la-Rouge.
Nights 1 and 7. Argentat. A comfortable hotel (** Lodge) in town centerwith a good restaurant and a delightful garden where you may dine on sunnyevenings. The hotel has a pool.
Night 2.Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. An attractive hotel (** Lodge) standing in a square withcomfortable, well-equipped rooms and a fine menu.
Night 3. NearCollonges-la-Rouge (2km/1.2mi). Run by a young couple (he is Italian, she isBritish) that bought an old barn deep in the countryside and converted it intoa delightful guesthouse. The welcome is warm and friendly and we have had veryfavorable comments concerning the food, especially from vegetarians. It is onlya short ride on quiet roads to Collonges itself or to the pretty town ofMeyssac.
Night 4.Carennac. An old-established family-run hotel (** Lodge) with swimming pool inthe center of this interesting and historic village An excellent restaurantfacing onto the River Dordogne and with a good local reputation.
Night 5.St Cere. A comfortable hotel (**Lodge), overlooking the main square. Dinner isnot included, so you can choose from a wealth of possibilities that exist inthe old town.
Night 6.Camps. Our charming hotel (** Lodge) overlooking a lake in a tiny village abovethe Cere gorge, with a notable restaurant. A pleasant and peaceful place to stay.
Arrival
The starting point of the tour is atArgentat, reached by bus from Brive and Tulle. Brive is reached by directnon-TGV trains from Paris and Toulouse. Convenient direct trains on Saturdaysare as follows:
Paris Austerlitz dep: 10.08 13.56
Brive arr: 14.19 17.58
Toulouse Matabiau dep: 11.22 13:49
Brive arr: 13.41 16.02
Although not a TGV route, advance seat reservations arestrongly advised.
For all train times you can check out our links onthe website at www.breakaway-adventures.com or visit the website www.raileurope.com or call Rail Europetoll free, 1-800-848-7245. Check all train times locally before traveling.
Tour Ends
The tour ends at Argentat on the morning of day 8 (always aSaturday). Return by bus to Brive and non-TGV train onwards to Paris Austerlitz(about 4 hours) or to Toulouse (2 to 2.5 hours).
Brive dep: 09.36 14.37
Paris Austerlitz arr: 13.38 18:59
Brive dep: 07.34 12.08
Toulouse Matabiau arr: 09.49 14.12
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ITINERARY |
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Note: suggested stopping places for lunch are not necessarily open daily or throughout the year. You are advised to enquire at the previous evening's hotel before planning a 'sit-down' lunch stop. Day 1 Arrive in Argentat. Day 2 Start with a briefing on the route and collect cycles (where applicable). The route leaves Argentat on the south bank of the Dordogne on a tiny, quiet road leading direct to Beaulieu. It is an easy first stage along this valley, which has recently received a 'Grande Site' classification for its unspoiled beauty. The day ends at Beaulieu sur Dordogne, its Chapelle des Penitents charmingly reflected in the river. Distance 25.5km (15.8mi). Day 3. The road now leaves the valley and winds uphill to Queyssac with its old tower. Continue to Curemonte, a historic village on a ridge, which was more recently the home of the French writer 'Colette'. Continue over undulating country to the pleasant little town of Meyssac, close to which is Collonges-la-Rouge, whose elegant turreted houses and famous Romanesque church are built of dark red stone. Ride on from the village to our Chambre d'Hote (B&B) in the countryside beyond. Distance 31km (19mi). Day 4. The castle of Turenne on its conical hill is visible from afar and may make a good lunchtime stop. Then over rolling farmland to the ancient town of Martel and a centuries-old covered marketplace. A day packed with history ends in the picturesque village of Carennac. Distance 50km (31mi). Day 5. The day begins with a climb to the ridge above Carennac, a chance to visit Padirac Caves or simply to enjoy the superb views all the way to Loubressac. Then a descent back to the valley via the elegant old village of Autoire to the red bulk of Castelnau castle and a level ride past the splendid Chateau of Montal into the pretty old market town of St. Cere. Distance 33 km(20 mi). Day 6. Cycle up out of St. Cere into totally unspoiled countryside on deserted country lanes. Around midday you reach the highest point of the tour (600m) at Calviac where the rustic fare in the Restaurant Fregeac is worth sampling (may be closed in late season). Follow this with a dramatic descent to the River Cere and a climb out of the gorge to reach the tiny village of Camps. Distance 42km (26 mi). Day 7. An easier day's cycling takes in the Tours de Merle, a dramatic collection of ruined towers in the wild valley of the Maronne. Returning to the River Dordogne at the Barrage du Chastang, the enormous dam above Argentat, you follow the valley down to this little town of fish-scale roofs, grey stone and picturesque quays. Distance 52km (32mi). |
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