dordogne river valley cycling brochurechanterelle mushrooms, and truffles provide the perfect...

THE DORDOGNE RIVER VALLEY SELF GUIDED CYCLING

Explore the villages, towns and landscapes of the Dordogne River Valley by bike. Meander along

quiet country lanes between charming villages an discover the food, wine and charm of France’s

Lot and Corrèze.

Your cycling holiday in the Dordogne River Valley visits six of the officially recognised “Most Beautiful

Villages of France” (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France); Curemonte, Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne,

Carennac, Loubressac and Autoire. Open air museums in their own right these stunning villages have

been forged over the centuries by their proud inhabitants.

Gastronomy is at the heart of your experience of this region. Hearty and refined, and based on traditions

handed down from generation to generation, the cuisine of the Corrèze conveys the full flavour of the land.

Local specialities include red and rosé vin de pays, vin paillé (straw wine), stuffed ceps, morel and

chanterelle mushrooms, and truffles provide the perfect accompaniment to Limousin beef and milk-fed

veal. Menu’s in The Lot feature locally grown saffron, truffles, Rocamadour AOC goats cheese, Quercy

farm lamb, Perigord Walnuts, foie gras, duck and Cahors wine, which has been appreciated since Gallo-

Roman times.

Throughout the summer festivals and local farmers' markets showcase the wealth and diversity of the

regions farms. The atmosphere at these markets is always friendly and relaxed and there is no better

place to pick up supplies for your picnic before setting off for your day’s cycling.

Your Dordogne River Valley cycling tour starts and ends in the delightful historic town of Argentat, tucked

away in the upper reaches of the Dordogne River with its old port and cobbled riverside quays. Leaving

Argentat on the banks of the Dordogne River you cycle through many charming farming hamlets and

walnut groves to Beaulieu Sur Dordogne. Continuing with overnight stops in Meyssac, Carennac , St Cere

and Camps you pass through six of the of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” on route. The final day of

cycling takes in the dramatic Toute de Merle, a series of ruined chateaux’s along the River Maronne.

Your cycling route through the Dordogne River Valley follows quiet country roads, lanes and tracks with

the occasional linking section on busier roads. The cycling distance varies between 25 and 55 km each

day and averages 39km. The terrain is generally flat with the occasional hillier day and the trip is graded

easy to moderate.

Included in your trip are 7 nights accommodation in charming 2 and 3 * hotels, breakfast each morning, 6

dinners, baggage transfer, a comprehensive information pack, route notes and maps as well as

emergency support from our local representative.

Cycling the quiet lanes of the Dordogne River Valley

Visiting six of the ‘the most beautiful villages’ in France

Medieval chateaux’s and fabulous views across the surrounding countryside

Discovering the gastronomic delights of the Corrèze and Lot

SUMMARY

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Accommodation: 7 nights in small 2 and 3star hotels and inns.Meals: 7 breakfasts and 6 evening meals.Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggagetransfer.Bike Hire: Available, but not included.Information Pack: Comprehensive routedirections, info pack and map.Local Support: 24/7 Support from our local

representatives.

IS IT FOR ME?If you want to discover one of the most de-

lightful regions of rural France at your own

pace and appreciate fabulous food and wine

then you can’t go wrong with cycling in the

Dordogne River Valley.

Tour: Dordogne River Valley CyclingCode: CFSDVCType: Self-Guided Cycling HolidayPrice: See WebsiteDates: March – OctoberNights: 7 Days: 8Cycling Days: 6Start/Finish: ArgentatDistance: 231km (143 miles)

DORDOGNE RIVER VALLEY CYCLING

CYCLING IN CORRÈZE & LOT

HIGHLIGHTS

Cycling Days: 6

Nights: 7

Days: 8

Grade: Easy/Moderate

DAY 1

Arrive Argentat

Arrive in the historic old port of Argentat in the

upper Dordogne Valley. Take time to explore the

old town and quayside, before at your hotel.

Argentat is an 8 hour drive from Calais, 50km

from Brive train station and 30km from Tulle train

station. Brive and Limoges airports are 60/135km

away respectively. Taxis are available or can be

booked in advance. If you are hiring bikes they

will be delivered to your accommodation at 6 pm

(bike hand over for late arrivals is the next

morning).

Overnight: Hotel Fouillade **, Argentat – DB&B

The Hotel Fouillade is a fourth generation family

run hotel, located in the heart of Argentat. The

pretty terrace restaurant is often packed with

locals and tourists putting the world to right and

enjoying the delicious local cuisine.

DAY 2

Cycle to Beaulieu Sur Dordogne

Today is a gentle day of cycling on the left bank

of the Dordogne, passing through charming small

farming hamlets and shaded walnut groves. Your

day finishes at Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, a once

important spiritual site, whose cathedral is home

to a beautifully carved 12th Century

Romanesque Arch.

Cycle: 25.5km / 16 miles

Overnight: Auberge des Charmilles, Beaulieu-

sur-Dordogne - DB&B

Located in the centre of the village the Auberge

des Charmilles has eight individually decorated

rooms and the restaurant specializes in local

delicacies such as fois gras and duck.

DAY 3

Cycle to Meyssac

Cycling through the rolling countryside of the

Corrèze you pass through Curemonte, one of the

“Plus Beaux Villages de France”. Perched on a

hillside above the Sourdoire Valley, the village

has three Chateaux - St Hilaire, La Plas and La

Johannie and three churches. The weekly

farmers market is held on a Wednesday at the

open market hall.

Your route continues to Meyssac. The local red

sandstone gives the market village of Meyssac a

unique architectural heritage

Cycle: 29km / 18 miles

Overnight: Le Relais du Quercy, Meyssac,

DB&B

The Relais du Quercy is a large bourgeois-style

mansion, with swimming pool and a pretty

garden terrace. Each elegantly decorated guest

room has exposed beams and tiled floors and

the restaurant is known for generous flavours

and portions.

DAY 4

Cycle to Carennac

You can look forward to a sublime day of cycling.

Leaving Meyssac you first visit Collonges-La-

Rouge, a “Plus Beaux Villages de France”,

where you leave the red stone behind and enter

a limestone landscape.

Turenne, another of the “Plus Beaux Villages de

France”, is the ideal lunch stop. From here you

descend to rejoin the Dordogne at the high cliffs

of Gluges and then follow the Dordogne to

Carennac, yet another picture postcard village.


Overnight: Hostellerie Fenelon**, Carennac -

DB&B

Located on the main street and backing on to a

tributary of the Dordogne, this hotel is perfectly

placed to watch the world go slowly by. The hotel

has a swimming pool and you will enjoy delicious

regional cuisine on the shaded terrace. Each of

the fifteen bedrooms is simply but comfortably

decorated.

DAY 5

Cycle to St Céré

Castles and caves are the highlight of your cycle

today. The historic 11th Century Chateau de

Castelnaud brings history to life whilst the

Gouffre de Padirac cave complex is the best in

the Dordogne and a must visit.

Loubressac and Autoire are two more “Plus

Beaux Villages de France” on or close to your

route which ends in St Céré, a larger market

town.


Overnight: Hotel de France**, St Céré - DB&B

Hotel de France enjoys an idyllic setting just

meters from the medieval centre of St Céré.

Each bedroom is large, comfortable and



DETAILED ITINERARY

Day Route

12

345678

Arrive ArgentatCycle to Beaulieu Sur Dor-dogneCycle to MeyssacCycle to CarennacCycle to St CéréCycle to CampsCycle to ArgentatDeparture

Km

25

2950334252

individually decorated. The restaurant

showcases the chef’s cuisine with dishes

characterised by the generosity, colours and

flavours of Quercy.

Hotel upgrade: Les Trois Soleils de Montal ***,

St Céré - DB&B

Set in beautiful gardens and boasting a fabulous

restaurant Les Trois Soleils de Montal’s friendly

staff will make every moment of your stay a

delight.

DAY 6

St Céré to Camps, 42km

Your route undulates through the sparsely

populated, rural landscape between St Céré and

Camps. Breathtaking views will surprise you at

almost every turn of the road. Do not miss the

Roche du Peintre just off the main square in

Camps, which offers expansive views of the Cère

River Gorge.


Overnight: Hotel du Lac ***, Camps

Hotel du Lac is located in the most idyllic spot,

nestled between Correze and Lot and close the

gorges of Cère. The hotel overlooks a large lake

and has 23 spacious and comfortable bedrooms

and a large pool. The restaurant boasts

wonderful views of the lake and regional

specialities such as duck, lamb and foie gras are

a feature of the menu.

DAY 7

Camps to Argentat, 52 km

An interesting (and easier) day of cycling today

that takes in the ancient and very dramatic Tours

de Merle which is a collection of ruined Chateaux

alongside the river Maronne. In complete

contrast you will then pass the ultramodern,

equally impressive Chastang Barrage; a

hydroelectric dam on the river Dordogne.


Overnight: Hotel Fouillade **, Argentat – B&B

(Dinner not included)

DAY 8

Onward Travel

After breakfast take a taxi back to the railway

station or airport.

Additional Nights and Extensions

You can add an extra night at any point during

the cycle, please contact us for more details and

we can add this to your booking.

Grade and Fitness

This trip is graded easy to moderate. Daily cycles

are a mixture of country lanes and minor roads.

Daily distances range from 25 – 52km (16 - 33

miles).

Accommodation

We carefully select small family run 2 - 3 star

hotels and inns to ensure that you enjoy every

minute of your stay in France. They all offer a

warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality

and delicious local food.

Alternate Accommodation

During high season, you might be booked onto

into alternative accommodations which are not

listed in the itinerary. Any alternative

accommodations will be of the same or better

standard than those described.

Single Rooms

If you require a single rooms within your party we

would be happy to accommodate you, although a

supplement is payable.

Solo Cyclists

This trip is available to solo cyclists. If you are

travelling solo the holiday is slightly more

expensive as some costs are not shared.

Meals

A delicious continental breakfast is included each

morning and dinner is included on all but the last

night when you have the chance to sample one

of the quayside restaurants in Argentat. Every

village has a patisserie so you can buy lunch

before you set off or stop at one of the many

restaurants en route.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your

accommodation when you change hotels. We

ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of

1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg).

Rental Bikes

If hiring a bike your bike will be delivered at 6pm

on your arrival day or the next morning in case of

late arrival.

Our hire bikes are 21 speed Giant Sedona &

Giant Cypress hybrid bikes with a comfortable

upright position, which come in a variety of sizes.

They come with a basic repair kit and in case of

a major problem our local representative can

always assist.

All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier

(saddle bag), water bottle, puncture repair kit and

helmet as part of the rental package.



HOLIDAY INFORMATION

Getting to/from Argentat

By Car

By car the journey is about 8 hours from Calais.There are toll roads which will cost up to 60 €depending on the route you take.

By Train

Argentat is 50km from Brive train station and

30km from Tulle train station, taxis available on

arrival in Brive (70€) but should be pre-booked

from Tulle. From Paris the train takes around

4hrs to Brive. Timetables and booking at http://

www.sncf.co.uk/

By Air

Brive and Limoges airports are 60/135km away

respectively. Limoges is serviced by low cost

airlines Ryanair and Flybe and Brive from

London City Airport. Alternatively you can fly to

Paris and take the train to Brive. From Limoges

airport take a train (1h10) to Brive and then a taxi

to Argentat (70€).

This tour is available to start on any day of the

week from April to October. Please refer to our

website for up to date prices

www.macsadventure.com

Included:

Accommodation for 7 nights in 2/3* smallcountry hotels/inns in double/twin/family roomswith private facilities

7 Breakfasts

6 dinners

Daily luggage transport between hotels

Detailed route notes, maps and pre departureinformation pack.

24 hour telephone assistance from out localrepresentative.

Excluded:

Dinner on day 7.

Drinks, snacks and lunches

Travel to /from Argentat

Bike hire

Personal equipment

Travel insurance

Optional

Hotel upgrade in St Céré (3 star)

Bike hire

Transfer to Argentat

You can book securely online at

www.macsadventure.com by phone on +44 (0)

141 530 8886

Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or

email: [email protected] if you have any

queries and one of our expert customer service

team will be happy to help.

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel,

Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations1992" all passengers booking with

Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the

initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all

monies paid to us, including repatriation if

required (this insurance will not cover repatriation

to the country of origin for the passengers

outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or

curtailment of your travel arrangements due to

the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

There is no requirement for Financial Protection

of day trips, and none is provided. This

insurance is only valid for packages booked that

DO NOT include flights.

Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by

IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance

is only valid for passengers who book and pay

directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further

information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk

This Insurance has been arranged by

International Passenger Protection Limited and

underwritten by Insurers who are members of the

Association of British Insurers & Lloyds

Syndicates.

AITO Quality Statement

Macs Adventure is a member of

the Association of Independent

Tour Operators.

The Association represents Britain’s leading

independent tour operators and encourages high

standards of quality and service.

Macs Adventure abides by the Association’s

Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO

Quality Charter which can be viewed on

www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more

about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure Holidays is

a Member of ABTA. ABTA

and ABTA. Members help

holidaymakers to get the

most from their travel and assist when things

don’t go according to plan. We are obliged to

maintain a high standard of service to you by

ABTA’s Code of Conduct.



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dordogne river valley cycling brochurechanterelle mushrooms, and truffles provide the perfect...

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