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Self-Guided Cycling Route of Richard The Lion Heart
offered by supplier M10030 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 9
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 16
people
Destination(s):
France
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Season: April - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 1495 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1745 US Dollar (USD)
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This cycle tour is loosely based on the 12th century travels and battles of Richard the Lionheart, the courageous Crusader king and leader who fought military campaigns across the Middle East and Europe. You will wind your way through the beautiful, undulating countryside of the Limousin, Charente and Dordogne regions, the same area where King Richard fought his last battles.
The land is dotted with lakes, rivers and ancient honey-colored stone villages as you cycle on virtually traffic-free roads. Attractions include exploring cave paintings, moated castles, Roman churches and flamboyant Renaissance manor houses. It’s not all cycling as the vibrant summer festivals and daily markets offer up mouth-watering specialties and picnic edibles. Linger a while longer as you wander along the stalls or find a shady spot at a village café for a coffee before moving on down the road.
Lodging is in 2 - 3 star, town-centre auberges and country houses. There are excellent restaurants which offer delicacies from the Perigeaux region; duck, foie-gras and famous Limousin beef, fresh Atlantic fish and mouth watering desserts accompanied by wines from the near-by Bordeaux region. With the local Pineau or Kir as an aperitif and Cognac to follow, meals are a highlight of the tour.
Culminating at the site of Richard’s death at the siege of Chalus, this tour also offers other fascinating glimpses from French history. Cave art of stone-age man, Roman roads, ruins and churches and the Renaissance period are all in evidence in the art and architecture of the area. Small shrines and memorials in the villages also hark back to the more recent Resistance movement of World War Two where the local villages paid heavily for their support of their countrymen in arms.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at your hotel. You will be given bikes, maps, itineraries and briefed by our ground manager who will assist you throughout the tour
(D)
Day 2: Leaving your hotel in the centre of picturesque Rochechouart, with its imposing 12th century cliff-top castle and beautiful lake, the route follows part of the famous 'Grand Randonee' long distance footpaths before taking to the hills of the Haute Charente on quiet country roads. There’s also a chance to view the historically important Gallo-Roman baths.
Make sure you pack your swimwear as there’s lunch and cool drinks to be had at a beautiful swimming lake before you head for the bustling market town of Montbron and your hotel. On the way, stop off at a 12th century Roman church with it's impressive 800 year-old wall frescos. The cool of the interior makes for a refreshing break. The route follows tiny roads and forest tracks through sleepy hamlets before a short climb takes you into town.
Distance: 30miles/48km.
(B), (D)
Day 3: It’s a short day to allow you to explore on foot. From Montbron, the route follows a quiet river valley towards the historically important town of La Rochfoucauld and its famous chateau. On the way, you have the option of a wine tasting at the local 'Cave' or visiting one of the many working water mills beside the river. After spending the afternoon exploring the town and touring the chateau, you’ll head to your lodging for the night, a lovely auberge where the owners will make you feel right at home. Distance: 10miles/16km.
(B), (D)
Day 4: This will be the longest day of the tour as you start by following a gentle river valley. Along the way you’ll be on an old railway line which has been converted into a bike-only cycle path. The shade trees and bird calls make for a nice break from the road. Soon you’ll cross into the Dordogne region. A short climb will take you to a beautiful spot for lunch in a typical Dordogne village.
The afternoon ride takes us on quiet country roads through part of the Perigord-Limousin National Park. Look out for buzzards hunting from fence posts and trees. You often get a surprisingly close view as you approach silently on the bike. Deer and even wild boar sometimes dart out of forest clearings ahead of us. Your beautiful 3 star hotel sits on 20 acres with its own private beach by the lake. Enjoy an aperitif on the veranda before dinner. Distance: 39miles/64km.
(B), (D)
Day 5: The morning ride takes us to the medieval town of Bourdeilles, a beautiful town sitting on the banks of the River Dronne. With its two castles and range of outdoor cafes, it makes a great place to relax for a couple of hours after a leisurely lunch. Soon the road beckons as you aim for the Venice of the Dordogne, the lovely old town of Brantome, with its ubiquitous canoeists negotiating the gentle weirs. There are troglodyte caves in the cliff-side along the river, which have been inhabited from man's earliest days and are worth exploring.
The town is famous for the 7th century abbey created by Charlemagne as well as being the home of the famous contemporary historian and man of letters, Pierre de Bourdeille - better known as 'Brantome'. Your home for the next two days is a pretty 2 star hotel with a heated pool and a shady terrace in the centre of the town where you can soak up the ambience while you eat. Distance: 22miles/35km.
(B)
Day 6: You have a choice of activities on your loop day, including exploring the historic town, troglodyte caves or abbey, bartering for deals in the lively market, canoeing on the River Dronne or simply relaxing in one of the many outdoor cafes and watching the world go by.
The town has excellent shopping if you’re looking for something for the less fortunate family members stuck at home. For those who have not had enough time in the saddle, there’s a variety of interesting loop rides to choose from.
(B)
Day 7: Leaving beautiful Brantome the river is your companion as we head for yet another stunning chateau, the Chateau de Puyguilhem, a beautifully proportioned chateau set in woodlands close to the town of Villars. Nearby are impressive limestone caves with amazing stalactites and cave-wall paintings. It’s well worth a visit to cool off, especially on a hot day.
Soon you’ll arrive at one of the most beautiful villages in France where a lunch can be had at one of the shaded cafes near the Roman church. After lunch its easy cycling on an old converted railway line-cum bike path, which takes you though the enchanting Perigord Vert countryside. A final climb up to your 3 star hotel where a superb gourmet dining experience awaits. The hotel has cascading gardens that look out over the valley as you dine under a candlelit grape arbour. The deserts are indescribably delicious! Distance: 28miles/45km.
(B), (D)
Day 8: Heading north you’ll pass numerous small lakes and rivers as we leave the Dordogne behind and cross over into the Haute Vienne region. Pull in for a coffee or cool beer at the exquisite, ancient converted water mill that sits across from the picturesque castle of Montbrun. The owner is known for playing excellent jazz. Leaving too soon, its time to head for the town of Chalus. This is where King Richard was mortally wounded while besieging The French in 1199. Distance: 22miles/35km.
(B)
Day 9: After a leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred back to Limoges for your onward journey
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Bicycle rental: $130/100 euros.
Single supplement: $250/200 euros.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Bicycle Touring
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