Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne is an unspoilt a part of the Dordogne Valley with wide-open skies, tranquil woodlands, river valleys and deep gorges. The gorgeous pure landscapes are made all of the extra picturesque because of medieval castles, conventional half-timbered homes, and golden stone and ornamental Renaissance structure. It’s additionally the proper place for a soothing keep in a stunning gite and for fabulous walks – from charming riverside strolls to difficult hikes as much as panoramic viewpoints.
“Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne is about 250km inland from Bordeaux, proper close to the border between the Corrèze and the Lot, so it provides two very completely different landscapes,” explains Emma Curtis, who has lived within the village for a number of years. “On hotter days, closely wooded trails give loads of shade and infrequently comply with meandering rivers, resulting in waterfalls and lakes, that are splendidly refreshing; on cooler days, there are dramatic limestone cliffs, attention-grabbing geology and perched villages clustered on cliffsides. There’s at all times one thing extremely picturesque to get pleasure from as you stroll.”
Emma and her husband Richard run La Chabanaise gîtes in Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne. Set on a former farm, three superbly renovated gites (two 6-person, one 2-person) are an ideal base for locating the Dordogne Valley.
At any time when the couple have some free time, they like to stroll their canines and discover the area, “that is perfect countryside for strolling and mountaineering for everybody from {couples} to teams. And there are lovely onsite meadows to discover with quick walks ranging from the property.” says Richard who’s at all times joyful to suggest nice locations to stroll and hike within the space.
One of the best months for a strolling vacation are Might (and soak up Beaulieu’s well-known strawberry competition on the primary Sunday in Might), June, September and October.
WALK ONE: AUTOIRE
“One among our favorite locations to stroll is across the village of Autoire, which is formally categorized as one of many prettiest villages in France, and simply 20 minutes from our gîtes. Autoire is nestled in a steep sided valley that was once a cave hundreds of thousands of years in the past. Over time, the roof collapsed, which explains the cliffs on both facet and the truth that the valley head stops abruptly with a superb, spectacular waterfall. This in flip feeds a small river that makes its method via Autoire and is simply one of many the reason why this picturesque village is so interesting!
“For a half-hour outing, begin on the carpark, take a simple stroll to the waterfalls then head again. For a barely more difficult stroll, a circuit takes you across the facet of the waterfall and over a small bridge on the high the place you’ll get lovely views over the village beneath in addition to the panoramic present of surrounding hills and valleys. From the highest of those cliffs, you can even comply with an extended stroll over the limestone plateau to Loubressac, which is one other fairly medieval village with the turrets and exquisite chateau-style structure so prevalent on this space.”
WALK TWO: SENTIER DE BEAULIEU-SUR-DORDOGNE
“The Sentier de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne stroll leads via fields and timber with views over the Dordogne valley, previous the Chapelle des Penitents and the gorgeous Saint-Pierre Abbey, which you’ll be able to take time to go to. Within the part by the waterside, you possibly can attempt to spot the well-known sculpture of an otter, reclining on a stone close to the river. The circuit is 5.8 km, which takes round 1 ½ hours and, as with most strolling trails on this space, you possibly can obtain the map on-line or choose up a duplicate from the vacationer workplace.”
WALK THREE: CHÂTEAU DU DOUX
“Simply throughout the river in Altillac is the place to begin for the longer however nonetheless reasonable Château du Doux path, which is about 10 km and takes simply over 3 hours. You’ll get lovely views over the Lot and Dordogne valleys and the path takes you previous the spectacular Château du Doux that was constructed within the early 1900s and is now privately owned. Though it’s a small village, Altillac has almost a dozen châteaux from completely different eras, in addition to two church buildings, however the views and the panorama are nonetheless the actual stars of this stroll!”
WALK FOUR: AUBAZINE
“Aubazine is famend for its Twelfth-century Cistercian abbey and the 1.5km Canal des Moines, a canal that was constructed by monks to produce the monastery with water and has some spectacular vantage factors.
“There are a number of different walks to select from right here, ranging from the lavoir – the previous wash-house – in Route de Tulle. One among these heads east to Le Coiroux, a circuit of slightly below 10km that takes round 3 hours, main via the gorgeous village of Rochesseux with its walled gardens and conventional structure, as much as the placid lake of Le Coiroux, then again previous the Bordebrune mill and views over wild gorges earlier than bringing you again to Aubazine.
“This can be a beautiful stroll on a heat day because it has loads of shade from the timber, and also you’re accompanied by the sounds of babbling streams alongside the best way.”
WALK FIVE: THE BIG ONE!
“Critical hikers will get pleasure from selecting a part of the Dordogne Valley Path, which covers a complete of 82 km. You can begin in Beaulieu village and comply with the path to Saint Céré and even hike so far as Rocamadour, a medieval village well-known for its clusters of terracotta-topped buildings that appear to cling to the facet of a cliff. It’s an vital level on the pilgrimage path often known as the Santiago de Compostela or the Method of Saint James and is a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
“Or you possibly can drive to and begin from Rocamadour because the roads have fairly wonderful views. As soon as on web site, you possibly can select a strolling route both up the steep streets of the cliffside city or heading into the encompassing countryside, which offers you wonderful views of the structure and make you surprise how anybody constructed these homes hanging off the cliffside!”
WALKS FOR NATURE LOVERS
“Coming right here was a giant shock, as I used to be used to the Guernsey’s restricted wildlife,” says Emma. “We typically hear the melodic tune of the Golden Oriole, a shy, bright-yellow chook who often arrives in early Might and stays for summer time; you can even spot buzzards, crimson kites, woodpeckers, black redstarts, booted eagles, firecrests and noticed flycatchers – to not point out the roe deer, pine martens, foxes and badgers.
“When you’re out strolling on a heat day, don’t be shocked to see little lizards absorbing the solar on the trail, then rapidly dashing out of the best way as you strategy. You’ll additionally spot dragonflies, tiger moths and an entire vary of lovely butterflies from meadow browns to purple emperors and swallowtails. The one drawback is, with the encompassing landscapes being so eye-catching, you won’t at all times discover the wildlife alongside the best way!”
After an extended stroll you possibly can calm down at your beautiful gite, watching the damsel flies flitting amongst the reeds and lilies of the pure pool and after, get pleasure from a night taking part in pétanque on our terrain. With beautiful ethereal rooms, glorious kitchen amenities for self-catering, and only a quick stroll from the historic village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, that is the proper place for a soothing vacation.
E book your gite at: correzegite.com
