Richard the Lionheart West Cycle Route

As we leave Oradour-sur-Vayres behind, we leave the greenway behind us and head back onto quiet country lanes. The change in scenery is immediately apparent: the landscape begins to undulate gently. We enter the heart of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park, where the landscape alternates between groves of chestnut trees, green meadows and stone hamlets such as Biennac. There is very little traffic here, allowing us to cycle at a leisurely pace whilst taking in the views.

As we round a bend, the impressive silhouette of the Château de Rochechouart finally comes into view, standing proudly on its rocky outcrop 🏰
But once you’re there, the most surprising fact becomes clear even before you climb up to the castle: the entire town and its surroundings are situated at the bottom of a giant crater formed by a meteorite impact over 200 million years ago!

If you only have time for one stop, I highly recommend the Espace Météorite Paul Pellas. It’s a very accessible museum where, in just a few minutes, you can understand how this extraterrestrial event shaped the rock and landscape beneath our feet. And right next door, the contrast is striking: the medieval castle is home to the Departmental Museum of Contemporary Art. Bringing contemporary artistic creation into dialogue with centuries-old walls is the real cultural highlight of this stretch of the route!

After our picnic break by the water at Daumail, we get back on our bikes to tackle this lovely stretch between the countryside and the heart of the city. The route begins with a gentle climb as we cycle along the Vienne valley. Our legs warm up slightly on the gentle undulations that take us to Aixe-sur-Vienne.
On arriving in this little town, a first stop is a must at the Maison de la Porcelaine. Stepping through the door of this vast space dedicated to tableware offers the perfect opportunity to discover the region’s iconic craftsmanship before getting to the heart of the matter in Limoges.

The route then climbs slightly towards Landouge before gently descending towards the town centre. This is what gives this stretch its charm: the transition from unspoilt nature to cultural vibrancy feels completely natural. Once the bikes are safely locked up, we take off our helmets and head to the Adrien Dubouché National Museum. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of porcelain, offering a true journey into the heart of the ceramic arts.

To round off the day, we recommend heading to the bustling Place Denis Dussoubs: the outdoor terraces there are perfect for sitting down, chatting about the day’s adventures and sampling Limousin cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere 🧑‍🍳

After an inspiring break in the Roman village of Solignac, we set off again on our bikes for this seventh stage, which showcases medieval history and the great outdoors. The route climbs gently through the rolling countryside of the Haut-Viennois bocage, offering a delightful mix of quiet country lanes and paths lined with hedgerows.

Halfway along the route, a detour to the ruins of Châlucet Fortress is a must-see 🏰
Perched on their rocky outcrop above the confluence of the Briance and Ligoure rivers, these majestic ruins make a striking impression from the very first glance.
Our tip: park your bikes and explore the site on foot.
If you’d like to add a touch of fun to your exploration, download the Haute-Vienne EXPLOR GAMES® app to embark on a real, scripted adventure amongst the ancient stones.

We then continue our journey in the shade of the magnificent Ligoure Forest, a truly unspoilt green oasis where crossing the footbridge over the Briance invites you to switch off completely. The final few kilometres follow a gentle, soothing route to the entrance of the peaceful village of Saint-Maurice-les-Brousses.

After our break at the Espace Hermeline, we get back in the saddle to tackle the final stretch of the loop. Our legs are already feeling the strain after the previous climbs, but the route remains very inspiring: we ride through the rolling countryside of the Monts de Châlus, passing through woodland, meadows and small traditional hamlets.

The terrain continues to rise and fall steadily, offering beautiful views across the south of the Haute-Vienne. Physically speaking, it’s a challenging but short stretch, allowing you to pace yourself well before the end of the route.

The finish is a grand finale in the heart of the village of Châlus. It is here, in front of the ‘ Château de Châlus-Chabrol ’, that History with a capital H catches up with us one last time. It was at the foot of this keep that, in 1199, King Richard the Lionheart was mortally wounded by a crossbow bolt during the siege of the town.

Well done to you all: completing this 152 km cycle route through the western part of the Limousin is a real achievement! Taking in this masterpiece of medieval heritage after such an effort brings a deep sense of satisfaction.
Before putting your bikes away and celebrating the end of your journey, you could make one last detour to the Pays de Châlus Ecomuseum to round off your knowledge of local history.