Cycling in Creuse
Located in the heart of France, Creuse is the perfect location for a cycling holiday with it’s quiet roads, beautiful scenery, local heritage and clean air.
Get the best bicycle holiday and discover the cycle paradise that is Creuse from the seat of your bike.
Creuse is not densely populated so you benefit from non-polluted, quiet country roads, with little traffic to explore rolling countryside, lakes, pretty towns & villages and heritage sites.
The area offers differing levels of difficulty, suitable for gentle family holidays, those who want a bit more of a challenge whilst soaking up the delights the countryside has to offer or the all out enthusiast whose looking to be put through their paces.
A bicycling holiday in the Creuse is suitable for everybody.
The Tour de Creuse
A circular route of over 320 km of signposted cycle paths.
The Tour de Creuse allows you to discover the truly remarkable, often little-known, natural and cultural heritage of a French county packed with surprising, exceptional sights. The stages are listed below and follow the links for more information.
The Tour de Creuse - Chambon-sur-Voueize / Chatelus-Malvaleix
This 56km stage begins at Chambon sur Voueize, with its imposing 11th-century abbey dedicated to St Valery and boasting exceptional Romanesque art. Take in the majestic château atop its cliff in Boussac. Then follow the northern link of the Tour de Creuse cycle route, to the village of Châtelus Malvaleix.
The Tour de Creuse - De Chatelus-Malvaleix à Crozant
Leaving Châtelus Malvaleix, head for Le Bourg d’Hem, where you can admire the church and the views of Les Chazelles Lake. Then cycle along the Artists’ Route that follows the Creuse from La Celle Dunoise to Crozant, passing via Fresselines. 58 km around 3 hours and 52 mins.
The Tour de Creuse - Crozant / Benevent l'Abbaye
The 50km route begins in the Vallée des Peintres (Artists’ Valley), at Crozant, its medieval fort dominating the confluence of the Creuse and Sédelle Rivers. Having passed through St Germain Beaupré, head on to the medieval town of La Souterraine. Then follow the Gartempe Valley, guiding you to Le Grand Bourg, then to Bénévent l’Abbaye. Admire the town’s imposing 12th-century abbey church.
The Tour de Creuse - Benevent l'Abbaye / Royère de Vassivière
Starting at Bénévent l’Abbaye, then cycle through Châtelus le Marcheix, a pretty village hidden in the Thaurion Gorges. Continue to Bourganeuf, with 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. 72 kms.
The Tour de Creuse - Royère de Vassivière / Aubusson
This 42km stage starts at Royère de Vassivière, overlooking Vassivière Lake. The route takes you beside the Lac du Barrage up to Vauveix, passing via Masgrangeas and Broussas Headland. Now you follow the tapestry trail between the towns of Felletin and Aubusson, the latter at the end of the route.
The Tour de Creuse - Aubusson / Chambon-sur-Voueize
This 49 km stage starts at Aubusson, French Capital of Tapestry. Cycling beside the waters of La Naute and Les Landes lakes is a joy for nature lovers. Also explore the village of Chambon sur Voueize, its imposing 11th-century abbey church, dedicated to St Valery, boasting exceptional Romanesque art.
Local Routes
Les Pierres Jaumâtres
Only 22 kms away, these rock features are within cycling distance, taking in Toulx-Sainte-Croix and views across the Creuse valley on the route home.
Moutier-D'Ahun
Only 21 kms away, the pretty village of Moutier-D'Ahun, located on the banks of the Creuse, with its medieval bridge, beautiful Romanesque church and Benedictine monastery founded in 997.
Extras
Bike Hire Direct
If you don't want the hassle of bringing your own bikes, then bike hire is available locally and can be delivered direct to us for your stay.
E-bikes - battery charging
If you need to recharge your battery overnight, then that's not a problem. Please ask.
Bike Storage & Maintenance
We have space to the back of the house to store bikes. Including a fully equipped tool shed should you need to undertake any running repairs during your stay.
Picnic hire
Fancy a picnic to take out on your bicycle ride? With adequate notice, we can provide a picnic hamper. Please ask.
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