Villeréal / Monsempron-Libos

From Villeréal, our cycle route leaves behind the Dropt Valley, leading you through former frontier land between the old provinces of Périgord and Quercy. You cycle into forests today standing in the northeastern part of the county of Lot-et-Garonne. Moving on to another river, you enter the narrow Lède Valley, unspoilt, but dotted with historic spots. A slight descent (although the way may look flat here), enables you to admire the valley as far as the highlight along this stretch, the perched vestiges of the Château de Gavaudun. The final kilometres are along shaded wood-lined roads, taking you through picturesque villages until you arrive in front of the majestic Priory-castle of Monsempron-Libos.

The Route

This stage includes most of the main climbs of the whole cycle route, but the reward is beautiful viewpoints over the local landscapes. From Lacapelle-Biron, it’s possible to make a 5km detour to go and admire another iconic castle in the region – the mighty Château de Biron, just in the neighbouring county of Dordogne – this link along the D150 road isn’t signposted, but the way isn’t busy. Reaching Monsempron-Libos, take care on the descent along the D276 road, with some sharp bends that can catch you unawares. 
For further cycling adventures, it’s easy to carry on to the cycle route of La Vallée du Lot à Vélo. You might therefore consider continuing your cycling trip as far as the historic town of Cahors on the Lot River, or then heading via Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Aiguillon to rejoin the cycle route of the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo (some 80km away). Then again, from Monsempron-Libos there are regional TER trains on the Agen-Périgueux line that can whisk you down to the capital of the Lot-et-Garonne, the town of Agen.

See also

• Château de Biron: a mighty castle just 5km from our cycle route, without any signposting for cyclists yet in place at time of writing 

• Lacapelle-Biron: a village packed with history, including as a major centre of the French Resistance in the county of Lot-et-Garonne during the Second World War

• Vallée de la Lède: a valley providing prehistoric finds, plus memories of World War II resistance in the county

• Gavaudun: Château de Gavaudun, with the majestic 12th-to-13th-century ruins of this splendid castle looking down on the narrow Lède Valley

• Monsempron-Libos: Château Prieural de Monsempron, an historic priory with airs of a castle

• Fumel: a town known for its industrial heritage linked to metalworking.