Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne is an unspoilt part of the Dordogne Valley with wide-open skies, tranquil woodlands, river valleys and deep gorges. The stunning natural landscapes are made all the more picturesque thanks to medieval castles, traditional half-timbered houses, and golden stone and decorative Renaissance architecture. It’s also the perfect place for a relaxing stay in a gorgeous gite and for fabulous walks – from charming riverside strolls to challenging hikes up to panoramic viewpoints.
“Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne is about 250km inland from Bordeaux, right near the border between the Corrèze and the Lot, so it offers two very different landscapes,” explains Emma Curtis, who has lived in the village for several years. “On warmer days, heavily wooded trails give plenty of shade and often follow meandering rivers, leading to waterfalls and lakes, which are wonderfully refreshing; on cooler days, there are dramatic limestone cliffs, interesting geology and perched villages clustered on cliffsides. There’s always something incredibly picturesque to enjoy as you walk.”
Emma and her husband Richard run La Chabanaise gîtes in Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne. Set on a former farm, three beautifully renovated gites (two 6-person, one 2-person) are a perfect base for discovering the Dordogne Valley.
Whenever the couple have some free time, they love to walk their dogs and explore the region, “this is ideal countryside for walking and hiking for everyone from couples to groups. And there are beautiful onsite meadows to explore with short walks starting from the property.” says Richard who is always happy to recommend great places to walk and hike in the area.
The best months for a walking holiday are May (and take in Beaulieu’s famous strawberry festival on the first Sunday in May), June, September and October.
WALK ONE: AUTOIRE
“One of our favourite places to walk is around the village of Autoire, which is officially classified as one of the prettiest villages in France, and just 20 minutes from our gîtes. Autoire is nestled in a steep sided valley that used to be a cave millions of years ago. Over time, the roof collapsed, which explains the cliffs on either side and the fact that the valley head stops abruptly with a fabulous, impressive waterfall. This in turn feeds a small river that makes its way through Autoire and is just one of the reasons why this picturesque village is so appealing!
“For a half-hour outing, start at the carpark, take an easy stroll to the waterfalls then head back. For a slightly more challenging walk, a circuit takes you around the side of the waterfall and over a small bridge at the top where you’ll get beautiful views over the village below as well as the panoramic show of surrounding hills and valleys. From the top of these cliffs, you can also follow a longer walk over the limestone plateau to Loubressac, which is another pretty medieval village with the turrets and beautiful chateau-style architecture so prevalent in this area.”
WALK TWO: SENTIER DE BEAULIEU-SUR-DORDOGNE
“The Sentier de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne walk leads through fields and trees with views over the Dordogne valley, past the Chapelle des Penitents and the beautiful Saint-Pierre Abbey, which you can take time to visit. In the section by the waterside, you can try to spot the famous sculpture of an otter, reclining on a stone near the river. The circuit is 5.8 km, which takes around 1 ½ hours and, as with most walking trails in this area, you can download the map online or pick up a copy from the tourist office.”
WALK THREE: CHÂTEAU DU DOUX
“Just across the river in Altillac is the starting point for the longer but still moderate Château du Doux trail, which is about 10 km and takes just over 3 hours. You’ll get beautiful views over the Lot and Dordogne valleys and the trail takes you past the impressive Château du Doux that was built in the early 1900s and is now privately owned. Although it’s a small village, Altillac has nearly a dozen châteaux from different eras, as well as two churches, but the views and the landscape are still the real stars of this walk!”
WALK FOUR: AUBAZINE
“Aubazine is renowned for its 12th-century Cistercian abbey and the 1.5km Canal des Moines, a canal that was built by monks to supply the monastery with water and has some spectacular vantage points.
“There are several other walks to choose from here, starting from the lavoir – the old wash-house – in Route de Tulle. One of these heads east to Le Coiroux, a circuit of just under 10km that takes around 3 hours, leading through the beautiful village of Rochesseux with its walled gardens and traditional architecture, up to the placid lake of Le Coiroux, then back past the Bordebrune mill and views over wild gorges before bringing you back to Aubazine.
“This is a lovely walk on a warm day as it has plenty of shade from the trees, and you’re accompanied by the sounds of babbling streams along the way.”
WALK FIVE: THE BIG ONE!
“Serious hikers will enjoy choosing part of the Dordogne Valley Trail, which covers a total of 82 km. You can start in Beaulieu village and follow the trail to Saint Céré or even hike as far as Rocamadour, a medieval village famous for its clusters of terracotta-topped buildings that seem to cling to the side of a cliff. It’s an important point on the pilgrimage trail known as the Santiago de Compostela or the Way of Saint James and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Or you can drive to and start from Rocamadour as the roads have quite glorious views. Once on site, you can choose a walking route either up the steep streets of the cliffside town or heading into the surrounding countryside, which will give you amazing views of the architecture and make you wonder how anyone built these houses hanging off the cliffside!”
WALKS FOR NATURE LOVERS
“Coming here was a big surprise, as I was used to the Guernsey’s limited wildlife,” says Emma. “We sometimes hear the melodic song of the Golden Oriole, a shy, bright-yellow bird who usually arrives in early May and stays for summer; you can also spot buzzards, red kites, woodpeckers, black redstarts, booted eagles, firecrests and spotted flycatchers – not to mention the roe deer, pine martens, foxes and badgers.
“If you’re out walking on a warm day, don’t be surprised to see little lizards soaking up the sun on the path, then quickly dashing out of the way as you approach. You’ll also spot dragonflies, tiger moths and a whole range of beautiful butterflies from meadow browns to purple emperors and swallowtails. The only problem is, with the surrounding landscapes being so eye-catching, you might not always notice the wildlife along the way!”
After a long walk you can relax at your gorgeous gite, watching the damsel flies flitting amongst the reeds and lilies of the natural pool and after, enjoy an evening playing pétanque on our terrain. With lovely airy rooms, excellent kitchen facilities for self-catering, and just a short stroll from the historic village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, this is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.
Book your gite at: correzegite.com
