Top 5 umissable visits along La Flow Vélo

Embarking on a cycling trip along La Flow Vélo, you’ll be captivated by the most magical historical treasures you can see on or near the cycle route. From the iconic prehistoric art of the Lascaux Caves to the Roman amphitheatre at Saintes, via Saintes’s Abbaye aux Dames and the treasures of Angoulême Cathedral, immerse yourself in an unforgettable journey through time and culture.

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Lascaux Caves in the Dordogne

The Grottes de Lascaux are considered to conceal the quintessence of prehistoric cave art on their walls. The caves lie hidden away in one of the Dordogne’s verdant valleys; they were only discovered by chance in 1940 by four young explorers. Since then, the site of Lascaux has captured the imagination of people from around the globe. The cave walls decorated with enigmatic paintings dating back tens of thousands of years bear witness to the very deep-rooted existence of human creativity.
Although the original caves have been closed to the public since 1963, in order to protect these fragile treasures, the Centre International de l'Art Pariétal Lascaux IV offers visitors an unforgettable immersive experience. It allows you to see a faithful reproduction, taking you back in time as you look in awe at the majestic bulls and galloping herds of horses seeming to spring to life in front of your very eyes.
Located in the heart of the Vézère Valley, Lascaux is truly remarkable in prehistoric terms, standing out among 147 prehistoric archaeological sites registered around the area, including some 25 prehistoric decorated caves. These parts are a great magnet for those fascinated by the very oldest of human art.

A visit to Lascaux is much more than a simple excursion – it’s a transcendental voyage down the millennia, as the secrets of our ancestors continue to inspire us and to fill us with awe.

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Trésor d’Othoniel in Angoulême Cathedral

Renowned contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel has added new dimensions to the treasury in Angoulême’s Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, displaying his unique talent in works of blown glass (his preferred medium), with their baroque to magical touches. Across two storeys linked by 39 steps, the coloured blown glass with its dominant blue and gold tones imparts a fascinating light that dazzles visitors. Each room is dedicated to a different theme – the Lapidary, the Engaged, the Marvellous – offering an enchanting journey into the artist’s universe. Commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture, this major contemporary project has breathed new life into the cathedral (registered as an historic monument since 1840, but dating back to the Romanesque period), generating a dialogue between tradition and modernity. The Angoulême Cathedral Treasury now makes an unmissable destination for those who love art and history, initiating them into the enchanting discovery of Angoulême’s hidden treasures, under the brilliant artistic direction of Jean-Michel Othoniel.

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Saintes Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre

The town of Saintes’s Gallo-Roman amphitheatre is an exceptional, if all-too-little-known historical treasure that startles visitors by its grandeur and remarkable state of preservation. Built between 40AD and 50AD, it went up before Rome’s Colosseum and shows how important the ancient city of Saintes was. The place was registered as an historic monument in 1840 and is the major period attraction among other impressive Gallo-Roman vestiges around town, including the Arch of Germanicus, the Baths of Saint-Saloine, aqueducts and fountains.
With its impressive dimensions, the original amphitheatre could hold 15,000 spectators and still evokes the city’s golden era, in the 1st century AD. Nestling in a little, steep, natural valley, it makes an impressive sight, and has been put to the fore by the creation of a pedestrian circuit leading visitors around the town of Saintes’s major historic spots.
The amphitheatre has been subject to archaeological digs and restoration work to make sure it’s preserved for future generations. A visit to Saintes wouldn’t be complete without exploring its magnificent vestiges, transporting you back to Roman times and the fascinating history of this town.

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Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes - Flow Vélo

Experience a world where history and music combine, where past and present meld harmoniously – welcome to the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes, a veritable musical city in itself. In the heart of an exceptional architectural ensemble fusing Romanesque and classical styles, music resonates as a guiding thread.

A Benedictine abbey was founded here in 1047; today, the place lives to the rhythm of music, hosting musical highlights such as the Festival de Saintes or the Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye aux Dames, a youth orchestra.
Set in the midst of all this liveliness, the Carrousel Musical proves an enchantment for young and old alike. Visitors are encouraged to take a ride on this unique merry-go-round radiating music and light. It provides a uniquely playful, sensory experience. Boasting 24 instrumental seats, the merry-go-round, as it turns, creates a collective, interactive score, making each spin quite unique!
Festivals, concerts, events… the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes today proves much more than simply an historic gem to visit. It’s truly a living venue that hosts festivities, bringing together the past and the present in an enchanting symphony.

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La Flow Vélo

400 Km

Sarlat-la-Canéda

Île-d'Aix

Top 5 umissable visits along La Flow Vélo

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