RIVER VALLEY CYCLING

CYCLING IN &

THE DORDOGNE RIVER VALLEY SELF GUIDED CYCLING SUMMARY 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 ’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); , Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne, , 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 beef and milk-fed veal. Menu’s in The Lot feature locally grown saffron, truffles, AOC goats cheese, Quercy Tour: Dordogne River Valley Cycling farm lamb, Perigord Walnuts, foie gras, duck and wine, which has been appreciated since Gallo- Code: CFSDVC Roman times. Type: Self-Guided Cycling Holiday Price: See Website Throughout the summer festivals and local farmers' markets showcase the wealth and diversity of the Dates: March – October regions farms. The atmosphere at these markets is always friendly and relaxed and there is no better Nights: 7 Days: 8 place to pick up supplies for your picnic before setting off for your day’s cycling. Cycling Days: 6 Start/Finish: Your Dordogne River Valley cycling tour starts and ends in the delightful historic town of Argentat, tucked Distance: 231km (143 miles) 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 , Carennac , St Cere IS IT FOR ME? and Camps you pass through six of the of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” on route. The final day of If you want to discover one of the most de- cycling takes in the dramatic Toute de Merle, a series of ruined chateaux’s along the River . lightful regions of rural France at your own pace and appreciate fabulous food and wine Your cycling route through the Dordogne River Valley follows quiet country roads, lanes and tracks with then you can’t go wrong with cycling in the the occasional linking section on busier roads. The cycling distance varies between 25 and 55 km each Dordogne River Valley. day and averages 39km. The terrain is generally flat with the occasional hillier day and the trip is graded easy to moderate. WHAT’S INCLUDED? 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 Accommodation: 7 nights in small 2 and 3 emergency support from our local representative. star hotels and inns. Meals: 7 breakfasts and 6 evening meals. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer. HIGHLIGHTS Bike Hire: Available, but not included. Information Pack: Comprehensive route  Cycling the quiet lanes of the Dordogne River Valley directions, info pack and map. Local Support: 24/7 Support from our local  Visiting six of the ‘the most beautiful villages’ in France representatives.  Medieval chateaux’s and fabulous views across the surrounding countryside  Discovering the gastronomic delights of the Corrèze and Lot DORDOGNE RIVER VALLEY CYCLING

CYCLING IN CORRÈZE & LOT

of the Dordogne, passing through charming small DAY 4 DETAILED ITINERARY farming hamlets and shaded walnut groves. Your Cycle to Carennac day finishes at Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, a once Cycling Days: 6 important spiritual site, whose cathedral is home You can look forward to a sublime day of cycling. Nights: 7 to a beautifully carved 12th Century Leaving Meyssac you first visit Collonges-La- Days: 8 Rouge, a “Plus Beaux Villages de France”, Romanesque Arch. Grade: Easy/Moderate where you leave the red stone behind and enter Cycle: 25.5km / 16 miles a limestone landscape. Day Route Km Overnight: Auberge des Charmilles, Beaulieu- Turenne, another of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”, is the ideal lunch stop. From here you 1 Arrive Argentat sur-Dordogne - DB&B 2 Cycle to Beaulieu Sur Dor- 25 descend to rejoin the Dordogne at the high cliffs dogne Located in the centre of the village the Auberge of Gluges and then follow the Dordogne to 3 Cycle to Meyssac 29 des Charmilles has eight individually decorated Carennac, yet another picture postcard village. 4 Cycle to Carennac 50 rooms and the restaurant specializes in local 5 Cycle to St Céré 33 Cycle: 50km / 31 miles 6 Cycle to Camps 42 delicacies such as fois gras and duck. Overnight: Hostellerie Fenelon**, Carennac - 7 Cycle to Argentat 52 8 Departure DAY 3 DB&B Cycle to Meyssac Located on the main street and backing on to a DAY 1 tributary of the Dordogne, this hotel is perfectly Cycling through the rolling countryside of the placed to watch the world go slowly by. The hotel Arrive Argentat Corrèze you pass through Curemonte, one of the has a swimming pool and you will enjoy delicious “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. Perched on a Arrive in the historic old port of Argentat in the regional cuisine on the shaded terrace. Each of hillside above the Sourdoire Valley, the village upper Dordogne Valley. Take time to explore the the fifteen bedrooms is simply but comfortably has three Chateaux - St Hilaire, La Plas and La old town and quayside, before at your hotel. decorated. Johannie and three churches. The weekly Argentat is an 8 hour drive from Calais, 50km farmers market is held on a Wednesday at the DAY 5 open market hall. from Brive train station and 30km from train Cycle to St Céré station. Brive and airports are 60/135km Your route continues to Meyssac. The local red away respectively. Taxis are available or can be Castles and caves are the highlight of your cycle sandstone gives the market village of Meyssac a booked in advance. If you are hiring bikes they today. The historic 11th Century Chateau de unique architectural heritage will be delivered to your accommodation at 6 pm Castelnaud brings history to life whilst the (bike hand over for late arrivals is the next Cycle: 29km / 18 miles Gouffre de Padirac cave complex is the best in morning). the Dordogne and a must visit. Overnight: Le Relais du Quercy, Meyssac, Overnight: Hotel Fouillade **, Argentat – DB&B DB&B Loubressac and Autoire are two more “Plus Beaux Villages de France” on or close to your The Hotel Fouillade is a fourth generation family The Relais du Quercy is a large bourgeois-style route which ends in St Céré, a larger market run hotel, located in the heart of Argentat. The mansion, with swimming pool and a pretty town. pretty terrace restaurant is often packed with garden terrace. Each elegantly decorated guest locals and tourists putting the world to right and room has exposed beams and tiled floors and Cycle: 33km / 20 miles enjoying the delicious local cuisine. the restaurant is known for generous flavours Overnight: Hotel de France**, St Céré - DB&B and portions. DAY 2 Hotel de France enjoys an idyllic setting just Cycle to Beaulieu Sur Dordogne meters from the medieval centre of St Céré. Each bedroom is large, comfortable and Today is a gentle day of cycling on the left bank DORDOGNE RIVER VALLEY CYCLING

CYCLING IN CORRÈZE & LOT

individually decorated. The restaurant Cycle: 52km / 33 miles Solo Cyclists showcases the chef’s cuisine with dishes Overnight: Hotel Fouillade **, Argentat – B&B characterised by the generosity, colours and This trip is available to solo cyclists. If you are (Dinner not included) flavours of Quercy. travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared. Hotel upgrade: Les Trois Soleils de Montal ***, DAY 8 St Céré - DB&B Onward Travel Meals A delicious continental breakfast is included each Set in beautiful gardens and boasting a fabulous After breakfast take a taxi back to the railway morning and dinner is included on all but the last restaurant Les Trois Soleils de Montal’s friendly station or airport. staff will make every moment of your stay a night when you have the chance to sample one delight. Additional Nights and Extensions of the quayside restaurants in Argentat. Every village has a patisserie so you can buy lunch DAY 6 You can add an extra night at any point during before you set off or stop at one of the many the cycle, please contact us for more details and restaurants en route. St Céré to Camps, 42km we can add this to your booking. Your route undulates through the sparsely Baggage Transfer populated, rural landscape between St Céré and HOLIDAY INFORMATION Your bags will be transferred between your Camps. Breathtaking views will surprise you at accommodation when you change hotels. We almost every turn of the road. Do not miss the Grade and Fitness ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of Roche du Peintre just off the main square in 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg). Camps, which offers expansive views of the This trip is graded easy to moderate. Daily cycles River Gorge. are a mixture of country lanes and minor roads. Rental Bikes Daily distances range from 25 – 52km (16 - 33 If hiring a bike your bike will be delivered at 6pm Cycle: 42km / 26 miles miles). on your arrival day or the next morning in case of Overnight: Hotel du Lac ***, Camps Accommodation late arrival. Hotel du Lac is located in the most idyllic spot, We carefully select small family run 2 - 3 star Our hire bikes are 21 speed Giant Sedona & nestled between Correze and Lot and close the hotels and inns to ensure that you enjoy every Giant Cypress hybrid bikes with a comfortable gorges of Cère. The hotel overlooks a large lake minute of your stay in France. They all offer a upright position, which come in a variety of sizes. and has 23 spacious and comfortable bedrooms warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality They come with a basic repair kit and in case of and a large pool. The restaurant boasts and delicious local food. a major problem our local representative can wonderful views of the lake and regional always assist. specialities such as duck, lamb and foie gras are Alternate Accommodation a feature of the menu. All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier During high season, you might be booked onto (saddle bag), water bottle, puncture repair kit and into alternative accommodations which are not DAY 7 helmet as part of the rental package. listed in the itinerary. Any alternative Camps to Argentat, 52 km accommodations will be of the same or better An interesting (and easier) day of cycling today standard than those described. that takes in the ancient and very dramatic Single Rooms de Merle which is a collection of ruined Chateaux If you require a single rooms within your party we alongside the river Maronne. In complete would be happy to accommodate you, although a contrast you will then pass the ultramodern, supplement is payable. equally impressive Chastang Barrage; a hydroelectric dam on the river Dordogne. DORDOGNE RIVER VALLEY CYCLING

CYCLING IN CORRÈZE & LOT

 24 hour telephone assistance from out local of day trips, and none is provided. This TRAVEL INFORMATION representative. insurance is only valid for packages booked that Excluded: DO NOT include flights. Getting to/from Argentat  Dinner on day 7. Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance By Car  Drinks, snacks and lunches is only valid for passengers who book and pay By car the journey is about 8 hours from Calais.  Travel to /from Argentat directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further There are toll roads which will cost up to 60 €  Bike hire information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk depending on the route you take.  Personal equipment This Insurance has been arranged by By Train International Passenger Protection Limited and  Travel insurance underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Argentat is 50km from Brive train station and Optional 30km from Tulle train station, taxis available on Association of British Insurers & Lloyds Syndicates. arrival in Brive (70€) but should be pre-booked  Hotel upgrade in St Céré (3 star) from Tulle. From the train takes around  Bike hire AITO Quality Statement 4hrs to Brive. Timetables and booking at http:// www.sncf.co.uk/  Transfer to Argentat Macs Adventure is a member of You can book securely online at the Association of Independent By Air www.macsadventure.com by phone on +44 (0) Tour Operators. 141 530 8886 Brive and Limoges airports are 60/135km away The Association represents Britain’s leading respectively. Limoges is serviced by low cost independent tour operators and encourages high airlines Ryanair and Flybe and Brive from HOW TO BOOK standards of quality and service. London City Airport. Alternatively you can fly to Paris and take the train to Brive. From Limoges Macs Adventure abides by the Association’s Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or airport take a train (1h10) to Brive and then a taxi Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO email: [email protected] if you have any to Argentat (70€). Quality Charter which can be viewed on queries and one of our expert customer service www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more team will be happy to help. about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ABTA Member Statement BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE This tour is available to start on any day of the Macs Adventure Holidays is week from April to October. Please refer to our a Member of ABTA. ABTA website for up to date prices Financial Security and ABTA. Members help www.macsadventure.com In accordance with "The Package Travel, holidaymakers to get the Package Holidays and Package Tours most from their travel and assist when things Included: Regulations1992" all passengers booking with don’t go according to plan. We are obliged to  Accommodation for 7 nights in 2/3* small Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the maintain a high standard of service to you by country hotels/inns in double/twin/family rooms initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all ABTA’s Code of Conduct. with private facilities monies paid to us, including repatriation if  7 Breakfasts required (this insurance will not cover repatriation  6 dinners to the country of origin for the passengers outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or  Daily luggage transport between hotels curtailment of your travel arrangements due to  Detailed route notes, maps and pre departure the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd information pack. There is no requirement for Financial Protection