A circular trail to four former washhouses, a mountain biking route of more than 40 kilometres, and a short treasure hunt on foot give you different ways to plan your time in Saint-Loubès. There is also a clearly defined landscape and a historic chapel. When planning your stay, you can first decide whether to focus on a themed walk, a longer cycling route or a short stroll.

Landscape and the Circuit des lavoirs

Saint-Loubès lies on the edge of the Dordogne. To the north, an alluvial plain, partly marshy, stretches out; to the south are vineyard slopes. The Circuit des lavoirs crosses Saint-Loubès from west to east across the plateau. Along the route are vineyards, traditional hamlets and newer residential areas; long sections follow the chemin du Roy. The route therefore runs west to east through a variety of landscapes and settlements, rather than being limited to a single type of scenery.

The Circuit des lavoirs is 8 km long, forms a circular route and has two starting points. It takes about two hours on foot and about one hour by bike. Having two starting points gives you a choice of where to join the same loop when planning your day. The route passes four former washhouses: the lavoir de Peymenard, the fontaine Saint-Luc, and the lavoirs du Martin and de Conge. This gives the trail’s name a clear connection to its stops: it is a route whose historical features lie directly along the way.

More walking and cycling routes

The La Laurence mountain biking route covers more than 40 kilometres and passes through the areas of Estrille, Sablons and Truch in Saint-Loubès. Compared with the Circuit des lavoirs, it is a much longer route with a different focus: here, the mountain biking route and its passage through the three named areas are what matter, while the loop featuring the washhouses has its own distinct theme. So when choosing a route, you can first consider your preferred mode of transport and the distance you want to cover.

The free “À Cavernes, hop! Hop! Hop” Tèrra-Aventura treasure hunt starts at Port de Cavernes in Saint-Loubès. The circular walking route is about 1.5 kilometres long, takes approximately one hour and is accessible with a pushchair. It is therefore shorter than the 8 km Circuit; in terms of time, the Tèrra-Aventura route takes about as long as cycling the Circuit, while walking the Circuit takes about two hours. So distance and mode of transport matter just as much as duration when comparing the options.

Culture and events

The Chapelle du Prieuré is thought to have been completed in the mid-13th century. The Feu de la Saint-Jean takes place on a Friday close to 21 June; at Port de Cavernes, it features fairground attractions and an evening dance. Check the exact event dates and programme before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bruges, Baurech, Virsac, Villegouge, Puynormand, Grignols, Lamarque, Cadillac-En-Fronsadais

For the main travel guide: Gironde.