70-80km

 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 French President Jaques Chirac. There then follows a relatively easy ride back to base and afternoon tea with homemade Cake. 

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, home of the young Coco Chanel where she lived as an orphan.  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. 

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.

This is a rest day, for those who prefer, but 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 vacation.

 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.

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.
Please note that depending on the weather conditions in the mountains, and also on group size, this day may be changed for a day down in the Northern Lot & Rocamadour.