Itinerary for your Cycle Tour in Correze

Discovering the Massif Central with Correze Cycling Holidays

Want to get an idea of a weeks Cycle Tour with us? Here is an example of what to expect. The rides may change depending on the needs of our guests and weather conditions, but this gives a good overview of a typical week.  

Cycle Tour Duration – 7 nights

Accommodation, 7 Continental Breakfasts, 6 four course evening meals, Afternoon Tea and cake each day Minimum 4 days guided with backup crewbus support on non guided days of your cycle tour

Day 1

Arrival and briefing of the weeks cycling tour. You can set up your bikes in our fully equipped workshop and settle in to your lovely rooms. There may be time for a swim, or a short ride to get your legs turning after travelling. At pre dinner drinks you can meet the other guests on the tour and enjoy your first gourmet meal together,

Day 2 – Warm Up ride Correze Plateau (70km to 80km).

The first cycling day of the tour stays on the Correze plateau and heads into the scenic rolling hills of the Monadieres. It is an undulating route with no long or testing climbs. After a morning coffee stop there will be a lunch break in Egletons at one of our favourite restaurants. Then it’s up to the historic village of Sarran which is the home and birthplace of President Chirac. There then follows a relatively easy ride back to base and afternoon tea with homemade Cake.

Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays

Day 3  – Aubazine and Beynat (75km).

Cycling from our base the first 30km is fast and undulating all the way to the first break at Aubazine. This charming village sitting on the side of a gorge is notable for it 12th century Cistercian Abbey. Following something to eat for lunch in Beynat, there is a gentle 4km climb up to Quatre Routes.  Then follows a wonderful 11km decent down into the wooded valley at Saint Chamant. The final challenge of the day is an 7-8km ( average 5-6% ) switchback climb which winds back towards our base where tea and cake will be waiting.

Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays

Day 4 – Argentat and Gorges (70km).

This ride showcases some of the beautiful rivers and gorges that characterise the region. Departing from our base the route takes us through La Roche-Canillac which sits on the side of the Doustre gorge. A scenic descent into the Doustre Valley past little waterfalls is followed by a 4km climb out of the gorge.

Then it’s another exhilarating decent to the Hydro electric dam at Chastang on the Dordogne river. This massif feat of engineering will take your breath away. A more testing 4.5km climb follows, up to the monastery village of Servieres-le-Chateau for a well needed drink stop. After a spectacular decent down to Argentat sur Dordogne for lunch there remains the lovely climb up the Doustre valley back towards home.

Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
French Cycling Holidays and Cycling Tours with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays

Day 5 – Rest day.

If you want to cycle we have many routes we can suggest ( maps & GPX provided ) from challenging rides in the upper Dordogne gorges, to a leisurely ride out to one of the lakes nearby for lunch. Alternatively you can relax and use the beautiful pool with it’s view down to the fishing lake. There are plenty of lovely seating areas in the gardens  in which to chill out and enjoy your holiday.

Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays

Day 6 – Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne and Gorges (95km to 110km).

The day starts with a long decent into the Dordogne valley and a coffee stop at our favourite local café by the river at Monceau. We then enjoy a fast and scenic 25km route which follows the river all the way to Beaulieu.  There we will normally have lunch in the middle of the tree covered square.

After lunch there is a choice of climbs back up to the plateau, either 15km easy or 10km slightly more challenging gradient.  Then it’s back down to Argentat via one of the best decents in the area – our regular guests favourite!  Finally there’s the last challenge of the day, an 8km Climb back to our base. Those who want to can always take our bus back home to skip the last climb.

Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays

Day 7 – Cantal or Auvergne Mountains (70-80km)

After 1-1¼ hr transfer in our crew bus, we reach the delightful green volcanic mountains of the Massif Central. The 12km climb up to the Puy Mary (1598m) in the Cantal, a classic TDF climb, is a good challenge to the most experienced cyclists.  Equally possible for fit beginners, is always a favourite.

The scenery in this region is very different from the Corrèze. It almost feels as if you have travelled to a different country, although the baguettes remain the same! These mountains also feel very different from the other mountain regions of France due to their volcanic origins . The volcanic plug of the Puy de Dome is particularly spectacular.

Other circuits in the Auvergne which take in the ski stations of Mont Dore and Super Besse are just as challenging and enjoyable. There are a number of routes to choose from depending on weather conditions and the needs and abilities of the group.

Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays
Cycle Tour and Cycling Holidays France with Correze Cycling Holidays

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