72,03 km cycling route from Bénévent l'Abbaye to Royère de Vassivière
This stage starts at Bénévent l’Abbaye, the only parish in the Creuse awarded the prestigious label of a Petite Cité de Caractère. Then cycle through Châtelus le Marcheix, a pretty village hidden in the Thaurion Gorges. Continue to Bourganeuf, with its unusual history, its medieval roots going back to the 12th century. After that, the route takes you along the southerly Tour de Creuse link, to Royère de Vassivière.
Elevation of the stage
811 m1064 m
Waytypes of the stage
By road: 72,03 km
Surface of the stage
Smooth: 49,25 km Unknown: 22,78 km
The route
This 72km stage is geared to those with strong calf muscles. You have to tackle elevations totalling 1,203m, with two slopes that stand out, in the hamlets of Villemonteix and Saint Pardoux Morterolles. Your route begins on the Creuse Véloroute Ouest and finishes along the Tour de Creuse´s southerly link at the level of Royère de Vassivière.
Link to the Haute-Vienne (15km, 235m cumulative elevation)
You can take a 15km link into the county of Haute-Vienne from the village of Châtelus le Marcheix, going via Saint Pierre Chérignat and Saint Martin Sainte Catherine.
Don’t miss:
Bénévent l’Abbaye: the 12th-century abbey church; Le Scénovision, a stirring show about the Creuse, based around the story of Marion, a peasant woman living in these parts around 1900.
Bourganeuf: a medieval town that became one of the first in Europe to be lit by electricity, in the 19th century; the impressive Zizim Tower.
Saint Martin le Château: Les Jarrauds Waterfall.
Lac de Vassivière: a major lake, a perfect place for enjoying water sports, or walking along the 30km lakeside path. This lovely spot sometimes features in the Tour de France, with epic time-trials.
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