Why not take a Gravel tour of Creuse?

Gravel in Creuse

Since 2023, Creuse has been developing a dedicated gravel offer, notably with four FFC-labeled circuits around Bénévent-l’Abbaye. But beyond these official routes, the department is criss-crossed by a dense network of small roads and farm tracks that naturally lend themselves to gravel riding.

With its hilly but accessible terrain, the Creuse is the perfect playground for both a day outing and a multi-day tour. However, as some sections are a little rough or stony, I recommend tires between 38 and 47 mm for greater comfort and safety.

For my part, I rode a Liv Devote with 47mm tires and a Redshift suspension stem and seatpost. I completed two 60-kilometre circuits in the middle of the countryside. I came across less than ten cars, which is very appreciable.

On the other hand, you need to bring enough water and food , as the refreshment points can be quite far apart. I particularly enjoyed the first day’s route, which offered more points of interest, with a lovely pond to relax in and pretty villages to visit. If you’d like to read more about my 2 days in Creuse, please visit the Carnet d’escapades blog.

Gravel routes in the Creuse

Thewest of the Creuse is more suited to gravel riding, while the more rugged and stony east is more suited to mountain biking. In addition to the FFC-approved trails, you’ll find a wide range of trails on the Terra Sport 23 website, from family rides to more challenging itineraries. Here are the routes I did on Komoot.

The Creuse tourist office website also offers a number of routes suitable for gravel bikers and others more suited to mountain bikers. Finally, you can also take inspiration from the routes of the Monts et Rivières Ouest Creuse gravel event, the first edition of which took place this summer, and why not join the next one!

Visit ideas en route

Here are some of the points of interest I enjoyed along the way:

Bénévent-l’Abbaye

I particularly liked the town of Bénévent-l’Abbaye, a peaceful stopover on the route to Santiago de Compostela. Its XIᵉ-XIIᵉ century Romanesque abbey church, with its massive bell tower-porch and octagonal lantern, is a marvelous example of Limousin Romanesque art. The village also stands out for its unique expertise in chestnut shingles, put to good use on prestigious monuments such as Mont-Saint-Michel.

The house of the company’s owners, entirely covered in these little wooden planks, can also be seen in the village. I found it atypical and full of character. To complete the visit, Scénovision offers an original immersion into life in the Creuse in the 1940s. I learned a lot of local anecdotes in a fun way.

La Souterraine

La Souterraine is a small, historic town that owes its name to the underground tunnels it has developed since Gallo-Roman times. I enjoyed wandering through its narrow streets, which reveal a remarkable medieval heritage, with the Saint-Pierre collegiate church, ramparts, fortified gates such as the Porte Saint-Jean and old houses.

The Paulhac commandery

In Fursac, the Paulhac commandery, created in the XIIIᵉ century by the Knights Templar and then taken over by the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, stands out for its sober Limousin Gothic architecture and adjoining chapel. It preserves medieval frescoes dating from the XIIIᵉ century depicting the martyrdom of the twelve apostles.

The Toueille pond

TheEtang de la Toueille is the perfect place for a nature break. Many rare species of birds, migratory birds and even otters can be observed here. Nearby, an old water mill on the Peyroux stream, dating back at least to 1824 according to the Napoleonic cadastre, has recently been brought back into service and offers a lovely green setting for a stopover. I particularly appreciated its flower-filled surroundings.

Other nature activities

As well as gravel, the Creuse is a prime destination for outdoor sports. Hiking, trail riding, mountain biking and cycle touring are just a few of the many ways to enjoy the region’s natural landscapes.

If you’re a cyclist, for example, you can set off on the Tour de la Creuse, a 327km signposted route, enhanced by the “Vélo & Fromages” initiative, which combines the pleasure of pedaling with tastings at local producers’. The Véloroute Ouest Creuse invites you to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, while off-road enthusiasts will enjoythe Grande Traversée VTT de la Creuse.

And for those who want to put down the bike for a moment, the Monts et Rivières Ouest Creuse region also offers a number of beautiful walking trails, including several sections of the GR, notably the not-to-be-missed route to Santiago de Compostela.

Where to stay?

Bénévent-l’Abbaye is a good starting point for exploring the surrounding gravel circuits, and the village itself is well worth a visit, as mentioned above.

During my stay, I really appreciated the Maison du Cèdre guest rooms: the owners are attentive, the rooms spacious and comfortable, and the table features tasty local produce. The property also boasts a pretty garden and a convivial lounge where you can relax over a game of billiards, a puzzle or a board game.

What’s more, the house is just a stone’s throw from Scénovision and the abbey church. A nearby Carrefour Market makes it easy to stock up before hitting the road again.

Other good options for a gravel holiday are Marsac, Fursac and Le Grand-Bourg. You’ll find different types of accommodation to suit your budget and needs on the Creuse tourist office website.

Getting to Creuse

The main stations for getting to Creuse are Guéret and La Souterraine. Personally, I travelled from Grenoble to La Souterraine and was able to travel with an unmounted bike, which is a great advantage. But be sure to book your bike spaces in advance, as some trains have limited space.