BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Aveyron Activities

The three-star Hotel Segalière in Cajarc, nestled between the cliffs in the heart of the Lot Valley, has been chosen as your base for the week. There are just 24 recently refurbished rooms - all equipped with bath and shower, satellite TV and direct dial telephone – and the superb large pool, surrounded by 1.5 hectares of well-maintained gardens, is an oasis of peace and tranquility. The meals here are excellent too, with the menu relying on fresh, regional produce - the carpacciode canardcomes are particularly recommended! A short five-minute stroll will bring you to the village if you fancy a pre-dinner aperitif. Wander round the little cobbled alleys and you’ll find the remains of the ramparts and château, a 13th Century church and the Maison de l’Hebrardiewith with its impressive gothic windows.

During the day, you can choose to follow the suggested cycling routes or, if you prefer exploring on foot, there’s a choice of circular walks on offer. The hotel can also help arrange canoe/kayak trips and horse riding is available nearby. The local bus travels up and down the valley (as far as Cahors to the west, and Figeac/Capdenac to the east) or, if you’ve got your car with you, Rocamadour, Padirac, Najac and the Aveyron Gorges are all easily accessible.

Tour Details

Day 1: Arrive in Cajarc
Depending on the time you arrive, a Breakaway Adventures rep will aim to kit you out with bikes and go through the suggested cycling routes before dinner.

Day 2: Calvignac & Larnagol (19km/11mi)
A nice gentle start to your week as you head west along the banks of the River Lot (lovely flat cycling!), passing first through Calvignac, then on to the Renaissance Chateau de Cenevieres - the best preserved castle in the valley, offering amazing views from its terrace. You can explore inside, too – if you’re lucky, the Count himself may show you round the great vaulted rooms and secret dungeons! Crossing the river – the rock formations on the right bank are superb – you loop back via Larnagol where there’s a port, church, 18th Century chateau and exhibition of contemporary art in the Orangerie du Chateau.

Day 3: Chateau de Montbrun & Grottes de Foissac (29lm/19mi or 44km/24mi)
Today’s route takes you along the north bank of the Lot taking in the pretty villages of Montbrun – its ruined 13th Century castle sits high on the cliff – and Laroque Toirac, with its seven-storey manor house. An optional detour takes you up to Foissac, which is well worth a detour to visit Les Grottes – amazing stalactites and stalagmites – as well as the museum and prehistoric park.

Day 4: Cycling the Célé (39km/22mi)
Fantastic views greet you this morning as you head up along the Causse towards Marcilhac. In the middle of the pretty riverside hamlet are the impressive and atmospheric ruins of the semi-Romanesque/ semi-Gothic 11th Century abbey. On through lovely rolling countryside via St Sulpice to the ancient village of Sauliac that clings to its cliff-face of colored rock – you can still see the entrance to the Château des Anglais (fortified caves) where the inhabitants took refuge in troubled times.

Day 5: Free Day
Lots of choice today if you fancy a break from cycling: take the bus to Cahors (it’s market day this morning) where you can sample its famous wines, take a pleasure boat along the river, or just enjoy exploring the shady streets of the old quarter. Or you can spend your time canoeing/ kayaking, horse riding or following one of the walking routes up on to the plateau and to the tiny village of Prajoux where President Pompidou once owned a holiday home.

Day 6: Causse de Limogne (33km/18mi or 45km/25mi)
A favorite stop is at the Saut de la Mounine (Monkey’s Leap) for undoubtedly the best views of the Lot – then up onto the Causse de Limogne and on through La Capelle Balaguier to lively Limogne for lunch. The town is renowned for the quality of its truffles and foie gras! A short detour to the Dolmen du Lac d’Aurie will still leave time for a swim in the hotel pool before dinner.

Day 7: St. Cirq Lapopie & Pech’Merle (39km/22mi)
A full but easy cycling day as you pedal along the valley to the beautiful historic village of St. Cirq Lapopie. Take time to explore its pretty cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and Romanesque church perched proudly on the cliffs. Lots of cafés and restaurants for lunch, then its a lovely downhill whizz, with great views, to Bouziès and on to the world-famous caves at Pech’Merle – over 2kms of galleries and caverns. To avoid a long cycle back, it is suggested that you leave your bikes at the hotel in nearby Tour de Faure and hop on the local bus (20mins) back to Cajarc.

Day 8: Leave Cajarc
You leave Cajarc after breakfast.

• Single center cycling holiday with total flexibility every day. Optional walking route notes also provided.
• A wealth of historic and cultural interests: feudal castles, fortified churches, prehistoric caves and beautifully preserved medieval villages.
• Hotel with gorgeous pool, lovely gardens, and excellent cuisine.
• Plenty of other activities too: canoeing/kayaking, horse riding, and wine tasting.
• Wonderful Mediterranean climate; truly “undiscovered” France.

Level of Difficulty:
Longest day 15-24 miles/25-40 km: climbs are either easy, or short get-off-and-push ones. No problems but in hot weather, be prepared to start early and take it easy.

Independent Tours:
Independent tours allow you to follow any route you choose using maps and detailed notes. Breakaway Adventures suggests routes using quiet country lanes, and going by the places they think are most interesting. There are route options for avoiding hills, and suggestions for detours and off-road explorations.

"Independent" doesn't mean unsupported, though. Local staff will greet you at the train station and take you by mini-van to the first hotel. You'll attend a briefing session, where your Breakaway Adventures representative will fit you with your bike, tell you all about the things to see and do, and help you map out a route if you have a special side trip you'd like to make. During the briefing session, you'll also have a chance to meet any other travelers who are booked on the tour. Although the tours are not intended as a group experience, people often make friends on these independent tours and enjoy the opportunity to meet others - but if you’re not so inclined you're free to travel at your own pace. There are rarely more than six or eight people on any independent cycling tour, so you can be as sociable, or otherwise, as you choose.

On independent tours, you move on between hotels every two days: your luggage is transported for you, so you don't need to carry a lot in your panniers (provided). In-between days are an opportunity for exploring locally, with the help of detailed maps and notes. You can cycle on the off days, or just opt for relaxation!

On independent tours Breakaway Adventure’s staff clean and carefully check every bike before it goes out, so don't expect many problems. If anything does go wrong, your rep come out to your hotel and put it right. And your Breakaway Adventure reps are only a phone call away if you have any problems! They’ll also give you a puncture repair kit. Due to hygiene and safety concerns, cycling helmets are not provided. However, it is strongly recommended that you bring your own cycling helmet.