Overview
This is a unique tour that takes in the quiet Limousin and Charente regions and drops into the Black Perigeaux of the Dordogne. The route is loosely based on the 12th century travels and battles of Richard the Lionheart, the Crusader king who fought military campaigns across the Middle East and Europe. Late in his life, he spent many years waging campaigns in the beautiful countryside of the Dordogne, Limousin and Charente, an area full of castles and chateaux that he fought, and ultimately died, fighting for.

The region is excellent for cycling, made up of lakes, quiet rivers and ancient honey-coloured stone villages linked with virtually traffic-free roads. Attractions include grottos, cave paintings, moated castles, Roman churches and flamboyant Renaissance manor houses. The route also offers at least one fairytale chateau each day.

It’s not all cycling as the vibrant summer festivals and daily markets offer up mouth-watering specialties and picnic edibles. Lodging is excellent - 3 star town-centre auberges, fine country houses standing in their own grounds, a renovated chateau set among hundreds of landscaped acres and a riverside hotel famous for its gastronomic reputation.

Dining is excellent and there's much to choose from. The lodging has been chosen not only for the ambiance, bu also for the wonderul food on offer. Regional duck and foie gras delicacies from the Perigeaux region, truffle based sauces, famous Limousin beef, fresh Atlantic fish and mouth watering desserts accompanied by wines from the near-by Bordeaux region are available. Try the local Pineau de Charente or kir as an aperitif but save room for desert!