Dordogne to Calais suggestions

[barryd]

Well sadly its nearing the end of our 90 days in France. Its all been about the mountains and biking really with 90% of this trip been in either the Alps or Pyrenees. We find ourselves in the Dordogne right now and we will bimble around here for maybe a week but then will have a week or two to get up to Calais. My plan at the moment is to head up toward Limoges but make a short diversion (weather permitting) up to Lac de Vassiviere. We have been there many years ago so maybe a bit of Kayaking and possibly sailing.

After that our route takes us via the Loire around Orleans. I Don't remember Orleans as being a particularly nice place so looking for suggestions along this route of interesting, scenic places etc. I can deviate from the route of course. Pretty much anywhere between the Dordogne and Calais on this route that you may have found that stands out in your memory would be great. Also any great Aires or parking spots along the way also appreciated.

The route so far.

Rte de Sarlat to Calais

www.google.com

 

[runnach]

Lac de Vassivier is great, Barry. The Chateau on the island is now a restaurant serving great food. Free boat taxis were available too, when we were there.

No idea your current position, Rocamadour is worth a visit, and not far from Roc, is Gouffre de Padirac. This is a must see and worth the trip. Cant think of anything else at this time.

 

[barryd]

Lac de Vassivier is great, Barry. The Chateau on the island is now a restaurant serving great food. Free boat taxis were available too, when we were there.

No idea your current position, Rocamadour is worth a visit, and not far from Roc, is Gouffre de Padirac. This is a must see and worth the trip. Cant think of anything else at this time.

Thanks. Done them all before. Gouffre de Padirac is excellent but I think ill struggle with my knees and I doubt they will let me bring the bike down there.

We are further west at the moment. Biron and heading to Tremolat on the Dordogne river in the morning which is about 25 miles west of Sarlat.

 

[YeoBlade]

We ve stopped in the Old Royal Town of ( Loches click )a few times free at Aire on the way back.

 

[TJBi]

If you don't know them already, you might consider Turenne (see CCI 34272 for a more accessible aire than WC's RA) and Collonges-la-Rouge, both Plus Beaux Villages within a short distance of each other in the Corrèze. You probably already know Oradour-sur-Glane NW of Limoges. SW of Orléans, you have Meung-sur-Loire, of which some have spoken highly, but if you fancy a diversion to the east on your way up, you might consider Bourges and then Aubigny-sur-Nère. The latter has a number of aires and a very interesting history. (See https://wildcamping.co.uk/threads/calling-all-scots.95970/ If you can get the guided visit by the adjoint au maire, it's very interesting - not sure as to his command of English, but given the links with Scotland it's not impossible.)
Can't suggest much regarding the more northerly section of your route as I tend to use central Channel crossings.

 

[barryd]

If you don't know them already, you might consider Turenne (see CCI 34272 for a more accessible aire than WC's RA) and Collonges-la-Rouge, both Plus Beaux Villages within a short distance of each other in the Corrèze. You probably already know Oradour-sur-Glane NW of Limoges. SW of Orléans, you have Meung-sur-Loire, of which some have spoken highly, but if you fancy a diversion to the east on your way up, you might consider Bourges and then Aubigny-sur-Nère. The latter has a number of aires and a very interesting history. (See https://wildcamping.co.uk/threads/calling-all-scots.95970/ If you can get the guided visit by the adjoint au maire, it's very interesting - not sure as to his command of English, but given the links with Scotland it's not impossible.)
Can't suggest much regarding the more northerly section of your route as I tend to use central Channel crossings.

Thanks. Done Turenne and Collonges. I think we will be ok for the Dordogne for a week. Ill be bored of it by then Your other suggestions for up near the Loire are doable though. We have done Oradour twice, I don't really want to do it again though.

 

[YeoBlade]

Puy de Dôme Volcanic area, if you've not done before

 

[barryd]

Puy de Dôme Volcanic area, if you've not done before

We have once done the Auvergne in August about ten years ago. All I remember is it was freezing and the exhaust fell off. Its a possibility though, depending on the weather and time.

 

[Pauljenny]

Google up the Puy de Fou.
Mind blowing!
Well worth the detour and a free aire, alongside.
If your knees are playing up, talk to them about disability.

You might get a discount and reserved viewpoints.
If you don't ask, you never get.
Bonne Route.

 

[bartman]

We arrived yesterday for our first visit to the Dordogne. Haven't seen anybody with a WC sticker on his canoe yet, certainly nobody who resembles Barryd's avatar!

 

[barryd]

The Dordogne so far is extremely quiet and dare I say it, a bit boring. Chateaux Biron last night we were on our own and at the village of Tremolat now which is dead and there is only us here as well. Of course woe betide me if I complain about it being quiet after I whinged all summer about too many vans. Quiet is good! I think we will definitely go up to Lac de Vassivier east of Limoges though. I can't even raise the enthusiasm to get the Kayak out on the river here. Meh!

 

[bartman]

The Dordogne so far is extremely quiet and dare I say it, a bit boring. Chateaux Biron last night we were on our own and at the village of Tremolat now which is dead and there is only us here as well. Of course woe betide me if I complain about it being quiet after I whinged all summer about too many vans. Quiet is good! I think we will definitely go up to Lac de Vassivier east of Limoges though. I can't even raise the enthusiasm to get the Kayak out on the river here. Meh!

We thought it was quiet too, until we drove through La roque Gageac. It was like a brit seaside resort, absolutely rammed with people wandering off the pavements and into the road. They were obviously unaware of my reluctance to use the brake. Glad we weren't stopping there! We've settled in Vezac for tonight at least. Her indoors fancies a swim in the river tomorrow, that should make a few canooists paddle off

 

[Jo001]

Her indoors fancies a swim in the river tomorrow, that should make a few canooists paddle off

Be careful, there's been reports of toxic blue green algae in some parts of the river.

 

[barryd]

Be careful, there's been reports of toxic blue green algae in some parts of the river.

Sounds pretty nasty. Thanks for the heads up. We were over at Mauzac which is on the section thats very wide and deep where the EDF large power plant weir is and I noticed the edge of the water by the slipway was green just like in this photo at the top of the article. Sounds nasty. Was possibly going Kayaking and swimming either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Cyanobacteria in the Dordogne River: everything you need to know about safe canoeing - Canoës Butterfly

The summer of 2025 marked a turning point for water sports enthusiasts in the Dordogne. These ancestral micro-organisms, often unknown to the general public, have

www.canoes-butterfly.fr

 

[bartman]

Be careful, there's been reports of toxic blue green algae in some parts of the river.

Thanks for the info, had a look at Barryd's link and it persuaded MrsB against the swim... for now. We've moved on to the Lot, and she's eying up the water here.....

 

[barryd]

Thanks for the info, had a look at Barryd's link and it persuaded MrsB against the swim... for now. We've moved on to the Lot, and she's eying up the water here.....

Bit warmer tomorrow I think as well. Not sure I would have gone in today

 

[Rumour]

@barryd Not sure if you are aware. Rouen ZFE covers all roads and routes that are normally used to transit the city. But they intorduced a pass that is free and lasts for one day. But it must be applied for a minimum of one day in advance. We are passing by on Friday (tomorrow) and applied last night. It is immediate. I have to pass on my phone, so if we get pulled (not in a nice way ) we have proof of access.

Accueil | zfe

zfe.metropole-rouen-normandie.fr

 

[barryd]

@barryd Not sure if you are aware. Rouen ZFE covers all roads and routes that are normally used to transit the city. But they intorduced a pass that is free and lasts for one day. But it must be applied for a minimum of one day in advance. We are passing by on Friday (tomorrow) and applied last night. It is immediate. I have to pass on my phone, so if we get pulled (not in a nice way ) we have proof of access.

Accueil | zfe

zfe.metropole-rouen-normandie.fr

Thanks. Never gave it a thought. Our van is Crit Air 2 so I assumed it would ok pretty much everywhere.

 

[YeoBlade]

Thanks. Never gave it a thought. Our van is Crit Air 2 so I assumed it would ok pretty much everywhere.

You're fine. Rouen requires crit air 3, 2 or 1

 

[Rumour]

Thanks. Never gave it a thought. Our van is Crit Air 2 so I assumed it would ok pretty much everywhere.

As @YeoBlade says, you are fine. Unfortunately ours is a 4!