The Bergerac V91 greenway cycle route

Come and cycle near the town of Bergerac ! A great way to discover the little-known banks of the Dordogne river at this location. Far from the castles and the main tourist routes, you move on a very pleasant section of greenway , bordered by pretty villages and on a shaded path. Perfect for children , we tested this route , from the Tuilières dam to the town of Cyrano. On the way !

A greenway cycle route along the Dordogne

It all starts at the Tuilières dam , park in the shaded car park . At this point, the Dordogne flows, but it is the mouth with the Lalinde canal . Digged in the 19th century, its role was to facilitate river navigation and to transport goods. Today, it is no longer used for this purpose, but it remains a very pleasant place for walking and fishing. Besides, if we go by bike in the direction of Lalinde, it's also a nice walk, which we will see next time!

The Lalinde Canal

The start of the cycling day at the Tuilières dam

The Tuilières dam is an EDF hydraulic power station built in 1909. You can visit it! There is an information space , with educational materials , you can also visit the fish elevator , which allows them to safely cross the dam to continue their migration along the Dordogne.

At the start of the cycle path , on your right, observe the locks , a very good work, a real staircase of almost 300m with 22m drop. The boats traveled on 3 consecutive locks and a crossing basin before joining the hold. At the time, it took 6 hours to pass this chain of locks and the boats that went up, could cross those that went down: a very innovative work for the time. Continuing on your left by bicycle, after the descent, get a closer look at the dam and the fish elevator.

Back to our bikes! From Mouleydier to Bergeac , it takes about fifteen kilometers , 30km if you go back and forth. The track is 90% composed of a space reserved for bicycles , so it's perfect for children who can navigate with a little traffic (everything is very secure, my son is only 6 years old and everything is went very well). For the little ones, it will be enough to stop after Crysses, to benefit from a beautiful ride, only on the greenway (therefore no cycle route).

Note that after work that will run until 2021, the cycle route will link Souillac to Libourne , over 240 kilometers. It is an axis of soft mobility to develop green tourism in the region and between departments. Cyclists , walkers , rollerbladers and people with reduced mobility can use it as a whole, thanks to its high - quality asphalt coating . It is nice to ride on such a beautiful track.

One of the most pleasant cycle routes in the region

We particularly liked the journey from Mouleydier to Creysses, which is closest to the river and in a real green setting . Small elevation differences , more fun than tiring (even for small legs), allow you to appreciate the landscape with very pretty views of the river. It's fun, diverse, we go under bridges , we take turns , we cross villages . We can even stop to watch the fishermen, canoes and gabarres in summer. If you are hungry, thirsty or need something, just take a break , leave the greenway to join the nearby shops.

In Mouleydier , you pass through a charming little part of the village. With hollyhocks, the atmosphere reminded us of that of the villages of Charente Maritime, like Talmont-sur-Gironde! We then catch up with the banks of the Dordogne . We follow a tree-lined path on all sides, on the right (in the direction of Bergerac), very beautiful villas are on the side of a cycle route. Walkers are walking, you have to be careful because if the road is wide, I suppose it is taken in summer and you have to respect pedestrians! Arrived in the center of Mouleydier , you pass under a bridge and it is there that it is possible to reach the shops.

Continue towards Creysses . The cycle route is really pretty, sometimes there is limestone rock and hollowed out by the time that comes out, it's picturesque ! You arrive at the Gabarres de Creysse pier ( see our report ), where a nice excursion on the river awaits you, a good idea of activity to combine with a day on a bike! From Creysse, the landscape changes a few hundred meters further, because the greenway no longer follows the course of the river. In Saint-Lizier , you branch off to the right and follow the fields , the river to the left below. Remember to bring sunscreen , if you ride in the summer, because the road is less shaded. We then arrive at the Piquecailloux sports plain . Another activity idea, give the children a boat ride at the Miniature Port of Bergerac ! A moment that you will not soon forget, you can also play Golf Billiards (exclusive in France!), There is a snack bar and games for children.

Continue like this, you arrive at the edge of the town of Bergerac , where you will catch up with the Dordogne. We continue to follow the banks, on a lane without traffic. As soon as you see the magnificent old Pont de Bergerac (its location dates from the 13th century, has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, we now see a version with 5 semi-circular arches from 1822), you are not far from the center ! Continue until you reach the recently renovated Quai de la Salvette . I advise you then, if you want to enjoy the city, to park your bikes at this place. Put on an anti-theft device and go for a walk in the center of Bergerac , which is quite busy and very pleasant.

For the return, it is the same route but in the other direction! We stopped just before the bridge, in a perfect place for a picnic . From the Tuilières dam, we drove 1:30 at a slow pace (about 12km / h) with the children. The return was faster because we knew the route. 1h15 further, we find the dam, the car and we leave with beautiful memories!

Other ideas:

• The Céou greenway cycle route, near Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
  
• The Sarlat green cycle route, the section to Cazoulès
  
• In Creysse, visit the Château de Tiregand , guided tour of the cellars and tasting of the wine made at the château

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