day 6 - arnac pompadour to St cirq
route
Day 6 Description
The day starts with 15km that are mainly downhill, followed by a flatter section into Brive-la-Gaillarde. Until about 26km in the route is on quiet roads, but then it joins the D901 for about 6km; this is one of the busier stretches on the trip. There is then a quiet road (D901E2) that runs close to the D901 into Brive avoiding most of the traffic. The route skirts the town climbing on the way out. When we first did the trip the final stretch of the D901 was being converted to a dual-carriageway and our maps did not reflect the change; sometimes you have to improvise (photo below).
As we move away from Brive the countryside becomes less populate and more rural. There are a couple of short climbs on the way out. One attempt to get off the main road (D920) after about 46km proved to be a failure as the path was blocked and unsuitable for road bike (see photos), but the main road was fine for cycling and we were able to get onto back roads a couple of KM later (turning left onto the D158).
We did go over a very short gravelly section soon afterwards (which I normally try to avoid), but the surface wasn’t too bad and it didn’t last long.
A few km later we reach the picturesque village of Turenne, which makes an attractive coffee stop.
After Turenne we head downhill until we cross the Dordogne; quickly for the first 5km and then more gradually for another 20km. The last stretch when the road runs alongside the river before crossing is particularly attractive.
After crossing the river I have the route turning left on to the D11; this is what we did in 2009. In 2019 we continued straight on the D840 which is a more major road. The D11 is quieter and prettier, if a little hillier. Both yeras we had a picnic in Rignac.
2009 video clip from D11 heading for Miers:
Resting after our picnic lunch (in Rignac):
After Rignac we rejoin the D840 for a short stretch through Gramat before taking a left onto the D14 and then later the D42, where we find ourselves once more in empty French countryside. We found a cafe for a coffee at Caniac-du-Causse, but the villages we pass through are small with few businesses.
Lunegarde (just after joining the D42).
The day ends with a descent down to the river Lot and a short ride along the valley. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie overlooks the river from the hill on the south side. It is an extremely picturesque old village, but it is difficult to find accommodation there, particularly if you are a large group. We have stayed at Bouzies (2009) and by the river below Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (2019).
In 2009 we wanted to get some taxis to go to Saint-Cirq for dinner, but were told the nearest service was based in Cahors (35km away). Luckily some of the staff gave us a lift, but it was a squeeze:
