Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare

On the most easterly stage of La Flow Vélo cycle route, Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare is a quiet little parish that proves a lovely place to potter around, near the end or the start of your great cycling trip.

Close to this most easterly stage, do plan a stop at Hautefort-Saint-Agnan. The traditional French-style gardens in the château’s grounds are a hidden gem. As to the castle itself, it makes a majestic sight on its hillside, looking down on walnut orchards and streams below. Built in classical style, it’s exceptionally beautiful. A listed French historic monument, inside, it displays an impressive collection of 17th- and 18th-century furniture. Its wonderful grounds cover 30 hectares, enough to stretch your legs!

Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare – discovering an industrial past

All along your cycling adventure on La Flow Vélo, you’ll see how many stopover towns honour French know-how, craft and industry. Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare is no exception. The little municipality’s history is very closed bound to its industrial specialities, notably paper-making, although this wasn’t the only activity that thrived, as you’ll find out by learning about its heritage. Glass-making, brick-making and coal-mining were also significant.

Set up in 1816 by a certain Prosper Cyprien Brard, the Compagnie des Houilles du Lardin, de Royère et Brard contributed wealth from coal-mining to the parish. A little under a century later, in 1907, a factory for tannin extraction was set up here too.

Now, cycling tourists can relive the history of all these local industries at the Musée de l'Industrie, set in the former school of Le Lardin Saint-Lazare, learning about the men and women who so contributed to all the local activities. The museum reveals much on local daily life in the past, giving visitors an authentic idea of former ways of living and working in the France of the olden days. Across the year, there are regular temporary exhibitions, talks, workshops, escape games and events that involve the parish as part of the Grand Site de France de la Vallée de la Vézère (recognizing the exceptional importance of the wider Vézère Valley in cultural terms).

Witnessing history on a country trail

The Château de Peyraux, built in the 14th century, was placed on the register of French historic monuments in 1948. It stands under 700m north of the little town of Le Lardin Saint-Lazare and can be discovered on a walk from there into the countryside. As to its formal gardens, they’re free to visit. A 4km-long circuit you can tackle either on foot or, for more sporty types, on mountain bike, affords great views down on the edifice, so typical of the traditional châteaux of the Périgord area. This makes for an uplifting outing.

Credits : Le Lardin Saint-Lazare, Château de Peyraux - OT de Vézère Périgord Noir

So marked by water and greenery, take in the town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu from various angles, discovering the 12 fountains dotted around the old town as well as the contemporary Jardins de l'Imaginaire looking down on town, and unique in Europe. The local produce is a big draw too, including AOC walnuts and truffles, plus the Musée du Chocolat Bovetti. There are also craft shops to explore. In summer, board a traditional gabare river boat for a trip out on the Vézère River.

Back on your bike, there are still a good few kilometres of the cycle route to tackle, taking in beautiful valleys! 

Credits : @Déclic&Décolle