Triathlon holidays – for all the family!
So here’s the idea…
You and your family enjoys a holiday in a relaxing gite in France, doing the usual family holiday activities and eating together as a family.
Then, for as many days as you want, for as many family members as you want, you can do triathlon training! Running, swimming and cycling, with routes to suit all abilities, this could be the ideal holiday for active families.
Situated in the undiscovered region of Corrèze on the western edge of the Massif Central in France, Millevaches Triathlon Holidays are surrounded by the rivers, lakes and forests of the ‘Parc naturel régional de Millevaches en Limousin’.
If your whole family is ‘triathlon mad’, this company, run by Anna and Andrew Boulton, can tailor activities for different family members on different days to keep everyone happy. As a bespoke company, they are open to your ideas.
Be reassured – they are not a training camp; you won’t be ‘coached’ or ‘analysed’ while you are there. You don’t have to be a triathlete, or even aspire to be one!
This company understands that trying to balance the wishes of everyone, let alone combining specific activities, with a family holiday, can be a bit of a challenge. So they can plan your activities or routes with you to fit in and around the other things everyone else may be doing. For example if one member of the family wanted to do a bike ride of 50km but everyone else wanted to go to the lake for a swim and a picnic they could plan and then guide you on a 50km route that ended up at the lake.
Perfectly placed, this company loves to share some fantastic locations, off the beaten track, where you can indulge your passions in the great outdoors, whatever they may be.
Family-friendly accommodation is located in a newly converted granite barn, set in 25 acres of pasture and secluded woodlands.
Contact them for more details….
So here’s a quick round up of what’s on offer…
Cycling
Whether you like road cycling, mountain biking or cyclocross there are empty roads and tracks everywhere. French drivers are much more respectful of cyclists, although the roads are pretty much empty. The tarmac is of high quality and there are tiny little lanes, which wind between the farms and hamlets. All you will hear from the three cars you might see on an 80km ride will be ‘Allez Allez Allez’.
The guided cycling options will ensure that you are sufficiently challenged; yet not exhausted. Each time you go out, the backup vehicle will carry spares & repairs, picnics, spare clothing, swimming kit if you fancy a dip at a lake mid-ride…and always the option of a swift return home should you choose.
Most of the paths for walking are good for cycling too. There are dedicated VTT (off-road cycling) tracks everywhere and maps are available free from the Tourist Information Offices.
Swimming
Swimming is free and permitted in the thirty plus lakes in the Corrèze. On the Millevaches Plateau there are three lakes, which are quickly and easily accessible from our gîte. Beautifully warm in the summer, they are large enough to offer longer distance open water swimming.
If you would like to increase your confidence in open water swimming, their guided swimming sessions have a backup safety canoe in the water at all times. Wetsuits are not needed from June to October.
On each of the lakes there are main tourist ‘beaches’ that have dedicated safe swimming spaces and a lifeguard on duty. The supervised swimming is ideal for toddlers or children just gaining confidence.
For those more confident there are pontoons for jumping off and at Lac de Barriousses there is a giant inflatable Aqua Park. http://www.sportsnature-correze.fr/treign-aqua-park
However if you are prepared to walk off the beaten track a little, you can have your own private little beach and not see a soul!
Kayaking and canoeing is permitted and there is no launch fee. There are kayaks canoes, SUP’s and pedalos to hire should you wish.
Running
If you like to run, Millevaches can take you to places or show you on maps; the trails and paths are endless and empty……..
Walking
There are countless paths and trails, and many well-marked routes. Whilst there is no ‘open access’ here, in truth there are enough well signed paths for a lifetime. The undulating terrain will keep you on your toes and the ever-changing landscape offers interest and unexpected panoramas. There are lots of maps and guides available in the local tourist Information Offices.
Contact them for more details….
