Vigiers, Coutras, Saint Emilion, La Reole, Vigiers (155 miles)
After breakfast we shall depart on our first loop and begin with a relatively leisurely trip. Setting off by main roads so that you can get used to the bike taking a northerly route to Montpon-Menesterol a small town which a number of lovely buildings. After crossing the Isle river we take a westerly route towards Coutras the site of a famed religious war in 1587. We take our first break for the day in Coutras where the river Isle that we have been following meets the Dronne.
This journey will take us east to Cahors via Villeneuve-sur-Lot which shall be our first stop for the day. This road takes you through truly spectacular scenery with pretty villages, vineyards and windmills dotted among rolling hills.
Heading east our first stop on this journey is at Monpazier, a town founded in 1284 during the reign of the English King, Edward I which is generally considered to be the model bastide among the 300 or so in South-west France. We shall break for morning coffee and take a stroll through the old town.