Prehistoric France Home of the Trogledite and Neanderthal Man

Distance: 178 miles, 285 Kms

Towns: Treignac, Seilhac, Malamort, Brive,  Souillac, Calviac-en-Perigord, Carsac, Sarlar le-Caneda, Les Eyzies, St Leon,,sur Vezere, Montignac, Condat Sur Vezere, Brive, Donzenac, Uzerche, Rhilic Treignac, Chamberet.

Regions: Limousin (Correze), Midi Pyrenees (Lot), Aquitaine (Dordogne).

Roads: D16, D940, D44, D920, A20, D820, D703, D704, D47, D706 D704, D6089, D920, D3, D16. 

Description:  A Mixture of wide open fast roads and some amaizing twisties through rural areas which will send you dizzy, after Brive there is one section of riding the A20 which is Toll free from J52 to J53 (Unavoidable) once in the Lot and Dordogne the roads are relatively flat and follow the River Dordogne. Te views are of Prhistoric rock dwellings and modern Chateaux. The area is touristic. Pleanty of fuel and coffee stops along the way.

Treignac to the Pyrenees

Distance: 271 miles, 437 Kms

Towns: Treignac, Seilhac, Tulle, Altillac, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Saint Cere, Figac, Villeneuve, Villefranch de Rouergue, Caylus, Caussade, Montauban, Auch, Tarbes, Lourdes, Argeles-Gazost.

Regions: Limousin (Correze) Midi Pyrenees (Heutes Pyrenees, Tarn et Garonne, Aveyron)

Roads: D16, D940, N120 (D1120), D940, N140 (D1140), D922, D1, D926, N20 (D1020), D928, N124 (D1124), D924, N21 (D1021), D100.

Description: A Mixture of wide open fast roads and some amaizing twisties through rural areas which will send you dizzy with a sprinkling of N roads . The D940 does get narrow in places with some switchback bends.



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Lac Vassiviere

Lac Vassiviere is one of Frances largest lakes here are 2 routes to and around the lake.

Route 1 only 100 miles and is ideal if you do not want to go too far but still want to get out and have a ride and enjoy some of the cafe culture in the region.

Distance: 100 miles, 160Kms

Towns: Treignac, Lacelle, Eymoutiers, Payrat-Le-Chateau, Royare-De-Vassiviere, Pigerolls, Feniers, Millevaches, Bugeat, Viam.

Regions: Limousin (Correze, Haute Vienne)

Roads: D132, D940, D13, D222, D7, D3, D8, D36, D979, D940, D160, D132

Attractions: French Ressistance Museum, Lac Vassiviere, Lac des Bariousse,

Coffee Stops: Payrat-Le-Chateau (La Bellarive for a mug of English tea), Lac Vassiviere, Bugeat.

Description: The road out to Payrat Le Chateau is an exceptional road you would ride it back and forth and not get bord of its twists and turns which seem to go on for ever in their sweeping perfect tarmac. the road out to the Lac is also a delight but it does start to get narrow in places with some tight bends through the forrest. If you want to visit the Ressistance museum you have to ring the Marie at Payrat-Le-Chataeu.

Route 2 is longer at 140 miles just stretching the route out a little to enjoy a longer ride

Distance: 140miles

Towns: Treignac, Viam, Bugeat, Lacelle, Millevaches, Feniers, Felletin, Aubusson, Saint-Hilaire-Le-Chatau, Pontarion, Bourganeuf, Royare-De-Vassiviere, Payrat-Le-Chateau, Eymoutiers, Treignac.

Regions: Limousin (Correze, Haute Vienne)

Roads: D132, D940, D979, D36, D19, D982, N141 (D1141), D8, D35, D222, D13, D940, D16, D132

Attractions: Saint-Hilaire-Le-Chatau

Coffee Stops: Abusson, Bourgenof, Payrat-Le-Chateau (La Bellarive for a mug of English tea), Lac Vassiviere, Royare-De-Vassiviere.

Description: The road back from Payrat Le Chateau through Eymoutier is an exceptional road you would ride it back and forth and not get bord of its twists and turns which seem to go on for ever in their sweeping perfect tarmac. the road out to the Lac is also a delight but it does start to get narrow in places with some tight bends through the forrest.. Sadly the N141 is a major route so beware of speeding cameras on this road but Abusson is worth the trip down to Bourgenof. If you want to visit the Ressistance museum you have to ring the Marie at Payrat-Le-Chataeu.

Millau to Treignac (Ridersrest)

Options 1 & 3

Options 2 & 4

Description: All these routes from Millau take the same route to Aurillac but from Aurillac I have given 4 options... Option1 & 3 are more suitable for Cruisers and heavy bikes whilst Options 2 & 4 have some narrow and technical roads still doable with cruisers and heavy bikes but maybe not so desirable on them. All Timings are Max time it should take incl stops...

Millau to Aurillac - Take the D911 out of Millau towards Rodez. After Bois-Du-Four take the right fork onto the D29 again towards Rodez. On the outskirts of Rodez merge onto the N88 (D1088) bypass and follow it North to the D988 towards Sebazac-Concoures, continue on the D988 to Bozouls where you take the D920. Follow the D920 to Espalion, where it winds along the River Lot to Entraygues-Sur-Truyere stick with the D920 all the way into Aurillac.

Option 1
198 miles approx 6 hours with stops
The D922 from Aurillac to Bort-Les-Orgues is a good fast road wide tarmac with a good surface and rides into the Volcanic Region of the Cantal. At Bort-Les-Orgues (By the Dam) take the D979 to St Angel, Meymac (Take the D36 until you re join the D979 - do not go on the D979E3), Bugeat, after signs for Viam look for the D940 which takes a left fork down into Treignac and Riders Rest.

Option 2
181 miles approx 6 hours with stops
from Aurillac take the N120 (Re signed as D1120 in places) to Argentat (duel carriageway and very streight to start) from Argentat take the D18 to Egleton where you will pick up the D16 to Treignac and Riders Rest.

Option 3
179 miles Approx 5.5 hours with stops from Aurillac take the N120 (Re signed as D1120 in places) through Argentat all the way into and through Tulle to Seilhac where you pick up the D940 all the way to Treignac and Riders Rest. - You can get congestion on the N120 and Tulle can be complicated uless you have satnav (which will try and push you down small D roads such as the D44 after Tulle).

Option 4
If you want to get really adventurious you could do option 1 with a detour up to the Volcano "Puy Mary" This is the one I would do ;) From Aurillac cut through the centre and take the D17 up to Puy Mary, at the top of puy Mary hang left down the D680 until you join the D922 to Mauriac where you take the D678 to the D105 Chalvignac cross over the river Dordogne onto the D16 to Egleton and then D16 to Treignac and Riders Rest- From Aurillac to Puy Mary and to the D922 the roads are quite narrow but twisty and the views are spectacular. From Mauriac the roads become narrow again and the surface is uneven but can be fun (and you can imagine the French Resistance scamoering through these hills) . This one is 201 Miles and is going to take you about 7 hours with stops though you may stop more often for photo's.

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Riders Rest B & B - Central Massif

Bikers Only Bed and Breakfast in the Central Massif, France...

Riders Rest is a unique motorcycle bed and breakfast which is ideally situated for onward travel to Spain, the South Coast of France, The Pyrenees, or the Rhone Alps. Or indeed as a base to tour the beautiful Central Massif Region of France, covering the Limousin, Auvergne and Dordogne.

Riders Rest is the midway point for any rider headed for Spain or Portugal which makes it the perfect stop over point to head for. It is without doubt a friendly place to over night with people who understand the needs of those on two wheels. Wendy & Tony will take care of you whether for a one night stop over, or for a longer stay in the beautiful CORRÈZE region of CENTRAL MASSIF...

Riders Rest cater for Groups, couples and solo riders, their aim is to make their home yours for the duration of your stay. That means secure parking, space to store your gear, drying facilities (God forbid it should rain) - Breakfast when you want it - Evening meal (additional) - Cold beer and good wine - Close to some of the best Twisties and views in the region.

Not only does Riders Rest have a unique group accommodation solution with their Clubroom for up to 9 solo riders along with 3 double rooms for couples, they have a fully equipped workshop, secure parking and a hardstanding dedicated for washing bikes, plus a recovery trailer that will carry practically any motorcycle safely .

Tony is also an accomplished tourer with many years experience of riding Europe and more recently the Central Massif area of France he has many proven routes to keep even the most demanding rider happy for a weeks stop over.

His rides are a Triumph Rocket 3, an FJR1300 and a Moto Guzzi Stelvio whilst Wendy rides a modified Honda CB500S.

Accommodation comprises:

• 1 double en-suite - 45€ per person per night
• 1 double room with shared bathroom and toilet - 45€ per person per night
• 1 twin room with shared bathroom and toilet - 45€ per person per night
• 1 Club Room with 2 showers, 1 bath and 3 toilets, en-suite - sleeps upto 9 solo riders - 25€ per person per night.
• Workshop facilities and motorcycle recovery trailer can also be made available

Facilities Include:
Secure garaged parking; Drying facilities, Bike wash; Storage space, Guided Tours, Bike trailer & Workshop, Linen & Towels provided English breakfast, Home Cooked Evening meals. Honesty Bar, route planning & Laundry...

Contact Details:
Le Theil, Treignac, 19260 Correze, France.
Tel: +33 (0) 555 731433 Txt: +44 7784413354 UK Direct 08442 323145
Website http://www.ridersrest.net/ email tony@ridersrest.net
GPS: N45 34.848 E1 46.369

Ferry Ports to The Massif Central

These are the most direct and quickest routes using as much A-Roads as Possible so will incure a Toll but make the trip down to the twisties and scenic area of the Central Massif possible in one easy trip down - the timings do not include breaks for fuel or coffee and food... There are more scenic routes which utilise more National Routes and D roads hoever these will incure the possibility of an overnight stay half way down. Pleasse email if you would like a route and reccommended accommodation.

Caen to Riders Rest: 324 miles 6hr 30 min

Calais to Ridersrest: 487 miles 7hr 30 min

Le Havre to Riders Rest: 378 miles 6hr

Roscoff to Riders Rest: 408 miles 7hr 30 min

Saint Malo to Riders Rest: 342 miles 6hr 50 min

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Millau to Toulouse

Distance: 121 Miles; 194 Kms

Towns: Millau Saint-Rome,-de-Tarn, Saint-Affrique Albi, Marssac-de-Tarn, Gaillac, Montastruc-La-Conseillere, Toulouse.

Regions: Midi Pyrenees

Roads: D41, D96, D993, D999, N88, D988

Attractions: Millau Viaduct, West Tarn Gorges

Coffee Stops: Saint-Rome-de-Tarn, Marssac-the-Tarn

Description: Take the D41 west out of Millau following the river Tarn to the D96 which continues to follow the river untill crossing it on the D993 at Saint-Rome-de-Tarn (Coffe stop), carry on on the D993 to the D999 at Saint-Affrique. Follow the winding D999 to Albi either cut throught the centre or take the N88 byepass to Marssac-de-Tarn where you pick up the D988 through Gaillac all the way until picking up the N88 again in Montastruc-La-Conseillere should pretty much get you there It is 121 miles some 3 - 4 hours dependant on speed and stops. The route starts with a technical twisty bit but twards the end it becomes a fast strech of road into Toulouse from Albi though you will start to pick up traffic...