Clergoux / Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne

La Vagabonde cycle route now leads you into the narrow, green, lively Doustre Valley. You’ll be won over by its magnificent landscapes marked by layer upon layer of hills as you follow the riverbed by bike. Next, from Argentat-sur-Dordogne, the cycle route clings to the famed Dordogne Valley, its ‘‘bassin’’, or catchment area, designated the largest UNESCO biosphere reserve in France, covering 24,000km2 of unspoilt countryside. Cycling beside the river, as well as marvelling at the valley’s magical landscapes, admire its idyllic built heritage. You cycle through a series of villages designated Cités de Caractère, La Roche-Canillac, Argentat-sur-Dordogne and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the last also recently designated a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.

The Route

A stage along quiet little roads, but with some hilly stretches near the start.

Don't miss 

• La Roche Canillac: a remarkable village, surrounded by a meander in the Doustre River and split in two, La Roche-Haute on the edge of the plateau, La Roche-Basse 50m lower down, built into the hillside.
• Argentat sur Dordogne: a beautiful historic river port, mariners in centuries past transporting timber from here downriver to Bordeaux.
• Beaulieu sur Dordogne: a well-named medieval settlement that grew up on the Dordogne’s north bank, this Beaulieu nicknamed ‘‘the Riviera of the Limousin’’ thanks to its gentle climate, ideal for strawberry growing, plus today the enchanting place is a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.