Circular route along the banks of the Dordogne in Pessac-sur-Dordogne

Pessac-sur-Dordogne is a former port that was once a bustling hub for the transport of wine barrels, staves and cut stone. A jewel of the region, this charming village will captivate you with its eclectic character. Nestled between the Dordogne river and the hillsides, amidst forests and vineyards, you can discover its châteaux tucked away amongst the trees, its three remarkable docks and,
more generally, its typical and picturesque architecture. A lively village – take a leisurely stroll and make the most of a ray of sunshine to explore this town.

Details

112157
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 81 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 81 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 97 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 9 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Temple car park or on the quays.

(S/E) With your back to the temple, take Rue du Port opposite, heading towards the quays and the river.

(1) Follow the river north-eastwards, passing under the bridge and then past Château Vidasse. Continue along this small road which leads onto a dirt track, in front of the pumping station. Continue for 800 m to reach the D 130 road.

(2) At the road, turn right (take care), then, at the second junction, turn left onto the small road towards the hamlet of Guillemat. Continue along the dirt track that crosses the stream. Follow the dirt track to the right and pass between the houses (it is marked as Labarthe on the IGN map, also known as Le Méjéan) for about 1 km. The path leads to the hamlet of Maupile.
Continue along the small road, which takes a 90° bend, until the next junction.

(3) Turn left, then at the next bend follow the path opposite which runs alongside the walnut trees (house on your left). When you reach the Provençal-style house, continue to the right to rejoin the road and turn right.

(4) At the bend, take the grassy path between the vines and continue to the left. Before the path turns right, carry on straight ahead along the sunken path (go round it if it is blocked). Carry on straight ahead until you reach the road.

(5) When you reach the road, turn right then left towards the hamlet of Durège. Continue straight on along the dirt track (at the last house) which goes downhill. At the junction, take the path on the left to enter the woods. At the junction in the woods, take the path on your right to join the D 16.

(6) At the main road, turn right and walk carefully along it to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 16 m - Temple protestant des Pessac sur Dordogne
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 11 m - Quays along the - Dordogne (fleuve)
  3. 2 : km 1.61 - alt. 18 m - Chemin Blanc x D130
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 81 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 3.54 - alt. 96 m - Start of the path between the vineyards
  6. 5 : km 4.21 - alt. 66 m - Crossroads before Durège
  7. 6 : km 4.9 - alt. 61 m - Path on the right running parallel to the D16
  8. S/E : km 5.49 - alt. 16 m - Temple protestant des Pessac sur Dordogne

Notes

Tourist Information Office in Gensac, open in summer, or canoe and cycling club on the quays in Pessac.

Castillon-la-Bataille Tourist Information Office
5 Allées de la République
33350 Castillon-la-Bataille
Tel: +33 (0)5 57 40 27 58
Email: contact@tourisme-castillonpujols.fr
https://www.tourisme-castillonpujols.fr/

The Castillon-la-Bataille Tourist Information Office is open:
June to September: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
October to May: Mondays from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and Wednesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Provisions available on the quays and nearby.
Grocery shop – Bakery – Newsagent – Butcher’s – Canoe club – Cycle shop (open all summer).
Open-air restaurant on the quays (June–July–August).
2 km away, cash machine in Gensac (historic village).

Worth a visit

- Saint-Vincent Church (12th and 15th centuries). The building, constructed in the Romanesque style, was altered in the 16th century with Gothic additions, including ribbed vaulting and buttresses. The western Trinity bell tower stands out for its brick construction and the presence of three neo-Byzantine-style bell turrets; it was added or rebuilt in the 19th century. It was listed in its entirety as a historic monument by decree of 26 February 2001.
- The 19th-century cemetery cross (monumental cross) near the church.
- 19th-century temple, 1864.
:1:: After the bridge, Château de la Vidasse on the banks of the Dordogne, 15th century (built on the site of a Roman villa).
- At this point (2), continue straight on to see the 18th-century Château Ribebon on the riverbank
- At the point (5), you can visit the 19th-century Château de Carbonneau (lodges and wine tasting).
- From the church in Pessac, you can see the 14th-century Château de Montbreton.
- At the point (2), you can see the restored 14th-century Manoir de la Bernéde (former manor house on the river).
- Beaupoil defence tower.
- Moustelat watermill, built in 1724 (tours and wine tasting).
- The remarkable quays of the Dordogne with its three slipways.
(1) Canoe/kayak/cycling club and bar-restaurant on the quays, from May to September.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Vika
Vika

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We set off from the quayside. The route description is very detailed and essential; it was a good thing, as we didn’t see any signposts, apart from those put up for mountain bikes. We didn’t get lost, which is the main thing!

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Joëlle P
Joëlle P

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for the walk. It was a lovely sunny day with beautiful autumn colours.

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nico59130
nico59130

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A walk during which we didn’t come across a single soul!
Easy to follow thanks to the combination of text and map.
Vineyards and woods, providing lovely shade.
Thanks to the creator!

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otcastillonpujols
otcastillonpujols ★
• Edited:

After the cemetery and 250 metres from the three-way junction, there is a sign pointing right towards Lagarde, plus a Green Circle on the telephone pole and a mountain biking sign.
There may have been an error, as the sign on the ground says LAGARDE, whereas the map says LABARTHE.

I have corrected this in the description

Thank you and apologies for this oversight
jo

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bibi
bibi ★

Is that the only detail you missed? What wording would you suggest instead of what’s there now?

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Lucie L2.
Lucie L2.

Yes, we must have missed something after the cemetery. When we got there, we didn’t see any paint markings apart from the ones for mountain bikes...

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bibi
bibi ★

Sorry for the inconvenience – did you have the map and directions with you?
You need to walk along the cemetery, turn left at the corner of the cemetery and turn right 250 metres further on...
Is that where you missed a sign?
Thank you for your feedback; we’ll try to take it on board to improve the description.

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Lucie L2.
Lucie L2.

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We couldn’t find any green markings and we must have missed a sign (or directional sign) after the cemetery; from there, we lost our way...

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otcastillonpujols
otcastillonpujols ★
• Edited:

It really is the most pleasant route, but it’s flooded outside the summer months.

Thanks for the photos!

We have other longer routes in the pipeline that follow the La Soulége stream for 13 to 15 km.

Looking forward to speaking to you again!
Joel

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Mounissens
Mounissens

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk around Pessac. We tweaked the route a bit at the start. 200 metres after passing under the D11 bridge, we turned left onto the mountain bike trail that runs alongside the Dordogne through the forest. Then, at point 12 on the map, we carried on to La Bornée and then La Croix. There we turned right towards Giron, then headed back towards point 1 to rejoin the normal route. But this stretch along the Dordogne is really lovely, especially when it’s hot.
Enjoy the ride

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