PNR Périgord Limousin
Déclic & Décolle
PNR Millevaches en Limousin
Vues d'en Haut
Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie -PNR
Déclic & Décolle
Étang de la Pouge
Tolga Sarikose - Département de la Haute-Vienne
Étang de la Pouge
VisitLimousin

Haute-Vienne

Des joyaux de la nature à découvrir

 

À la découverte de trésors naturels et d'un écosystèmes préservés 
Explorez la diversité naturelle de ces trésors écologiques et venez contempler leur beauté préservée. Laissez-vous émerveiller par la richesse insoupçonnée de la faune et de la flore qui les peuplent.

Plongez au cœur de la richesse naturelle et de la biodiversité préservée de ces sites qui brillent comme de véritables joyaux de la nature. Le long de votre parcours vous traversez deux parcs naturels régionaux : le Parc Naturel Régional de Millevaches en Limousin et le Parc Naturel Régional Périgord en Limousin, et plusieurs zones protégées.

Ces sanctuaires écologiques, sont des refuges essentiels pour une multitude d'espèces végétales et animales. Vous observerez peut-être l'engoulevent d'Europe, le busard Saint-Martin, la loutre commune, le lucane cerf volant ou encore quelques espèces de chauve-souris...

Venez observer la splendeur de ces écosystèmes préservés et découvrez la diversité exceptionnelle de la faune et de la flore qui y prospèrent. Des habitats diversifiés : forêt, haies arbustives, milieux humides et tourbières, étangs et lacs, landes et près...offrant ainsi un véritable spectacle de la nature dans toute sa beauté et sa richesse.

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Royère-de-Vassivière / Bujaleuf

1 Royère-de-Vassivière / Bujaleuf

35 km
2 h 20 min
Medium
The Vélidéale cycle route starts at Royère de Vassivière in the département (French county) of Creuse and also in the midst of the Parc Naturel Régional de Millevaches en Limousin. In the early part of this stage, the Lac de Vassivière, a vast, many-branched stretch of water covering over 1,000 hectares, provides dreamy spots at which to stop for a refreshing break. Those who appreciate contemplative outdoor contemporary art should visit the Centre International d’Art et du Paysage on Vassivière Island. Then, continue riding alongside the Maulde River and, just before the stage ends, make the most of the Lac de Saint-Hélène with its beach just north of Bujaleuf.
Bujaleuf / Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat

2 Bujaleuf / Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat

18 km
1 h 11 min
Medium
Between Bujaleuf and Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, the Vélidéale cycle route runs beside the Maulde River (passing the Moulin de l'Artige, an historic mill), followed by the Vienne River. You ride through parts where France’s most popular cyclists of all time, Raymond Poulidor, used to train. In the town of Saint-Léonard de Noblat, explore shopping streets that Poupou, as he was nicknamed, loved so much. You’ll arrive at the foot of the collegiate church that forms part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage Site singling out fine monuments along the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. Also taste a massepain, an almond marzipan speciality made here, a sweet top-up that should give you an energy boost!
Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat / Limoges

3 Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat / Limoges

28 km
1 h 51 min
Medium
Leaving Saint-Léonard de Noblat for Limoges, the Vélidéale continues to lead you beside the Vienne. This river has deeply marked the landscapes around here, as well as supplying all manner of mills with power, such as the Moulin du Got (a 10-minute ride out), still making paper the old-fashioned way. And to see how cleverly cartoonists can turn paper into art, stop to visit the Centre International de la Caricature et du Dessin d'Humour at Saint-Just-le-Martel, where you can enjoy a good laugh at the same time as resting your pins! The cycle route guides you into the city of Limoges via a fine historic bridge, the Pont Saint-Martial. Do explore the cathedral quarter, among others, with the Bishops’ Garden, or Jardin de l'Evêché, a wonderful place to relax and take in views of Limoges before tomorrow’s cycling stage.
Limoges / Aixe-sur-Vienne

4 Limoges / Aixe-sur-Vienne

20 km
1 h 19 min
Medium
The Vélidéale cycle route continues to guide you through the old Limousin Region, going from Limoges to Aixe-sur-Vienne, once again along the well-laid-out banks of the Vienne River. For cyclists working up an appetite along the way, the Limousin restaurants on this stage make for excellent places to stop and savour high-quality local produce. Before leaving the old capital of the Limousin, Limoges, do feast first on its historic quarters, such as those around Place des Halles or the Quartier de la Boucherie and the Musée National de la Porcelaine Adrien Dubouché… but further cultural morsels will also attract your attention along this stage. Along a stretch of greenway, make the most of Vaseix Forest (a county forest with 105 hectares and criss-crossed by trails), a perfect spot for a shaded picnic before reaching Aixe-sur-Vienne.
Aixe-sur-Vienne / Rochechouart

5 Aixe-sur-Vienne / Rochechouart

40 km
2 h 39 min
Medium
Between Aixe-sur-Vienne and Rochechouart, the Vélidéale cycle route continues to guide you along beside the Vienne; you only leave the river at the end of this stage, at the level of St-Brice-sur-Vienne. Along the way, Saint-Yrieix-sous-Aixe is a charming little town that makes for a perfect place to stop for lunch. As to the Étang de la Pouge, a lake at Saint-Auvent in the midst of the Parc Naturel Régional du Périgord Limousin, and a protected Natura 2000 site, it offers idyllic surrounds to ride around. From its observatory, spot the many species of birds that rest and nest here. Finally, you draw close to the little town of Rochechouart, dominated by its magnificent château guarding the valley, the place now open to visitors as the Musée Départemental d’Art Contemporain.