Ride your bike and discover the city of Terrasson-Lavilledieu

Discover Perigord & the Dordogne

The sun still gratifies us with beautiful days, how about going for a bike ride (or hiking ) in the countryside right next to the city of Terrasson ? From the parking of the city center, we will make a tour of about 15 kilometers, enjoy the banks of the Vézère , the view of the city in the distance, the countryside and animals of Périgord!

Family cycling route on the banks of the Vézère

The river Vézère flows at the feet of the city ! Park at the place near the Tourist Office on the Quai du 14 Juillet. If you come on a Thursday morning, you will have to park a little further, but this is an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful market that is held in this place every Thursday morning .

To follow this journey, I recommend you to download the course on your smatphone, with a suitable software (type GPX Viewer) on the page of the Tourist Office of Vézère Périgord Noir . Do not worry if you do not want to use software: you can simply follow the yellow tags along the way.

The route of our bike ride

We start by crossing the Old Bridge , which is reserved for pedestrians and bicycles. It is a historical monument with its 4 stone arches, it dates from the 12th century. Before the construction of the new bridge just in front, it was the main traffic lane between Lyon and Bordeaux!

Departure to the Old Bridge

Turn left on Avenue Charles de Gaulle . Terrasson is a city that is crossed by the D6089 (on the other side of the bridge), which joins Brive-la-Gaillarde and many are those who just pass without stopping there. What a pity ! The Avenue Charles de Gaulle, which is therefore an artery less frequented, is at the foot of the city which then goes to the beautiful church of Saint-Sour . For now, we leave the city and we go to the countryside. Continue on the Avenue Charles de Gaulle, then turn the ^1st left onto the route of the ride.

Turn left to join the gardens on the banks of the Vézère

We are now at the edge of the Vézère , on a path of land that is lined with fields, walnut trees , other orchards and pretty little houses. Enjoy a stop on the banks to watch the ducks who wander there frequently. It is also a favorite fishing spot for carp lovers.

Follow the markup , impossible to get lost! We alternate between plots of open fields and wooded areas, it's nice and we meet many walkers, but no car: very nice with children. You can make a stop at the pond Fauries (detour a kilometer) which was dry on our way because of the drought ... Arrived at a place called Les Escures , the edges of Vézère are very pretty and just opposite it is the commune of Mansac, in Corrèze. This is where we turned around because the neighborhood was becoming residential and frequented by cars.

Do you see the ducks?

Follow the markup so you do not lose yourself

We go through the middle of the walnut trees

Ride next to the fields!

Traditional farms on the road

We roll sometimes on the grass

Walk and discover the city of Terrasson

Terrasson is a pleasant city, you will walk there with pleasure. Climb the winding streets , to discover the ramparts , the belvedere on the valley where we come to cycle, with the Vézère that meanders there. This part of old Terrasson is like a small village, there are beautiful half-timbered houses , murals and pretty little shops. In season, the Tourist Office offers visits to the Cluzeaux , a cave dug in the rock, a kind of ancient refuge ...

Visit Terrasson, the gardens of Saint-Sour Church

The Saint-Sour church

Cluzeaux and murals

If you have some time left, I invite you to discover The Gardens of the Imaginary , which will have to get the entrance tickets to the Tourist Office.

Gourmands will be happy to go to the Bovetti Chocolate Museum , there are workshops for children and all the explanations on the history, making and roasting of chocolate. Of course, there are tastings!

In season, barge rides are available on the Vézère, an excellent way to discover the natural environment and admire the city from the waves.

Finally, if you like big parks and children are amateurs of Playgrounds, I recommend you to go discover the sumptuous Gardens of the island of Vergne. It's right in front of the Quai du 14 juillet car park, hidden behind the vegetation. There are often events on the weekend, it's very nice!