Tour de la Creuse à Vélo

Tour de la Creuse à Vélo

Want to do the tour of Creuse by bike? It’s possible thanks to the various véloroutes that crisscross the department. Crossing the most beautiful sites of Creuse, you will have the opportunity to discover the cultural, built and natural heritage of these territories that have kept all their authenticity. Carry out this itinerary over several days to make the most of this experience.

Our little tips:

Beware, be aware that in Creuse, there is some leveling, so prepare your calves well!
Think that you are in a rural area => prepare in advance your accommodations, food and repair equipment can be useful! Indeed, in the summer the accommodations can be rented by the week; the shops are less numerous than in the city, it is sometimes necessary to travel several km; the renters and repairers are still not very numerous in some areas!

Tour de la Creuse

Step & Map

A 327km route marked
Vertical rise: 6000m D+

Markings: Véloroute

STAGE 1:
Crozant > Bénévent-l’Abbaye – 48km / Ascent: 834m
STAGE 2 :
Bénévent-l’Abbaye > Royère de Vassivière – 72km / Ascent: 1686m
STAGE 3 :
Royère de Vassivière > Aubusson – 41km / Elevation gain: 723m
STAGE 4:
Aubusson > Chambon sur Voueize – 49km / Elevation gain: 581m
STAGE 5 :
Chambon sur Voueize > Châtelus Malvaleix – 55km / Elevation gain: 950m
STAGE 6 :
Châtelus Malvaleix > Crozant – 58km / Elevation gain: 989m

DOWNLOAD THE GPX OF THE ROUTE170KB

Steps

Descriptions

STAGE 1: From Crozant to Bénévent-l’Abbaye / 48km (D+834m)

From valley to valley, stop in the pretty villages of Creuse, like a pilgrim discover the little chapels that line the route. The cycle route starts in the valley of the painters by Crozant, revealing a medieval fortress at the confluence of the Creuse and the Sédelle; then passing through St Germain Beaupré it goes on to La Souterraine, a medieval town where the scallop shells mark your route towards the Porte St Jean and the Church of Our Lady. The rest of the route follows the Gartempe Valley and will lead you to Grand Bourg and then to Bénévent-l’Abbaye the only commune in Limousin to have obtained the label “Petite Cité de Caractère©” where you can admire the Abbey built in the 12th century.

On this 48 km stage, you will be on the West Creuse cycle route with mainly lanes shared with cars but with very little traffic (less than 500 vehicles per day). The profile of this stage is relatively uphill but without much difficulty to report.

STAGE 2: From Bénévent-l’Abbaye to Royère de Vassivière / 72km (D+1200m)

This stage starts in Bénévent-l’Abbaye the only commune in Limousin to have obtained the label “Petite Cité de Caractère©” then passing through Châtelus le Marcheix a pretty village embedded in the Thaurion gorges, It leads to Bourganeuf, an ancient medieval city of the 12th century with a singular history. The rest of the route takes the southern link of the bike route and will lead you to Royère de Vassivière.

This 72km stage is made for trained calves, you will cross a few elevation changes (1203 meters) including two beautiful climbs at the hamlets of Villemonteix and Saint Pardoux Morterolles.
The route starts on the West bike route and ends on the southern link at Royère de Vassivière.

STAGE 3: From Royère de Vassivière to Aubusson / 42km (D+460m)

This stage starts in Royère de Vassivière, which overlooks Lake Vassivière. The township adjoins the banks of the Lake from the dam to Vauveix, passing through Masgrangeas and the Presqu’île de Broussas. Then direction the tapestry road between Felletin and Aubusson term of your walk.

On low traffic roads, this stage takes the tapestry road from Aubusson-Felletin. With a distance of 42km with 463 m of positive elevation gain will be short, rather downhill with few difficulties. Throughout your route, you will be guided by green and white cycle route signage.

STAGE 4: From Aubusson to Chambon sur Voueize / 49km (D+360m)

This stage starts in Aubusson, capital of Tapestry. On this route along the water where the pond of the Naute and the pond of Landes will delight nature lovers. Finally discover the village of Chambon sur Voueize high place of Romanesque art with its imposing church Abbey Sainte Valerie of the XIth century.

On roads with little traffic, this stage of a distance of 49km with 360m of positive elevation gain will be short, rather downhill with few difficulties. Beware of the slight slope on 8km from Aubusson to the village of Saint Amand. All along your route, you will be guided by a green and white cycle route sign.

STAGE 5: From Chambon sur Voueize to Châtelus Malvaleix / 56km (D+687m)

This stage starts in Chambon sur Voueize, a mecca of Romanesque art with its imposing 11th century Abbey Church of Sainte valérie. On this itinerary, follow the footsteps of George Sand in Boussac which shelters a majestic castle on the top of its cliff. The rest of the route takes the northern link of the bike route and will lead you to the village of Châtelus Malvaleix.

On roads with little traffic, this stage of a distance of 56km with 687m of positive elevation gain will be short and rather hilly. Watch out for the climb over 5km from the hamlet of “Ventenat” to the village of Toulx Sainte Croix. All along your itinerary, you will be guided by a green and white cycle route signposting.

STAGE 6: From Châtelus Malvaleix to Crozant / 59km (D+632m)

Starting from Châtelus Malvaleix, you will take the direction of Bourg d’Hem where you will be able to appreciate the church and the panorama of the Chezelles lake. You will pedal on the painters’ road that runs along the Creuse River from Celle Dunoise to Crozant passing through Fresselines that you will cross.

On low traffic roads, this stage of a distance of 59km with 632m of positive elevation gain will be short and rather hilly. Watch out for the climb up the Creuse Gorge for 4km as you leave the village of Bourg d’Hem. All along your itinerary, you will be guided by a green and white cycle route signposting.

MARKED ITINERARY RECOGNIZED BY CYCLING SPECIALISTS ON THE WEBSITE www.francevelotourisme.com

Lodging

Where to sleep

Bicycle Home

Accueil Vélo accommodations

Laure tells about her adventure on the Creuse loop by bike:

“If you love nature, if you want to escape the noise of the city, disconnect completely, I think this is the region for you!”

Read the testimonial on site: www.francevelotourisme.com

Laure from Paris area - July 22, 2019

LA BROCHURE “LA CREUSE À VÉLO”

The must-have document for your cycling vacations in Creuse!!
Flick through and download the brochure!
You’ll find the 2 major West and East cycle routes, the two North and South links, as well as the local cycling loops.

Discover the maps of the routes with their mileages, descriptions of the places crossed, altimetric profiles, and practical information (bike rentals, repairs…).