"I cannot begin to tell you what a postive and beautiful experience we had. The logistics ran like clockwork, leaving us free to enjoy bicycling, the lovely French people, food, wine and countryside. Accomodations were better than expected and hotel staff were all delightful! I want to go back...now!"
- A. Urso

This is a self guided cycling tour, but you are not alone! Learn more!
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Tours > Cycling Tours > Dordogne Tours > Best of Bordeaux Country

Best of Bordeaux & Dordogne

Beautiful chateaux, famous wines and terrific food: what more do you need to experience the real France? This cycling tour starts in Bordeaux and then moves into the vineyards including the famous name of Saint Emilion on up to Bergerac. You then travel into the Prehistory region of the Dordogne, Les Eyzies and Sarlat. This combination is a 'best of' experience for a week timeframe in Aquitaine - some true highlights! You will start in Bordeaux, which is easily reached by TGV or flight from Paris. The trip finishes in Sarlat from where you can take a small train to connect back to the TGV line.

Discover this countryside mixed with vineyards, chateaux, and the grottos of prehistory. You will pass through some old walled towns, see abbeys, and visit medieval castles during an unforgettable cycling tour!

See some blog posts about Dordogne here:

Painted Caves of Dordogne

5 Chateau to Visit in Dordogne

Delightful Cuisine of Dordogne


Tour Details


Maps & Profiles

NOTE: Please click on the profile image to see the complete profile in true relief; the thumbnail version below is automatically made small and this distorts the actual relief of the terrain.

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BORDEAUX_Best of Bor-Dor_Bordeaux-St Emilion

BORDEAUX_Best of Bor-Dor_St Emilion-Ste Radegonde

BORDEAUX_Best of Bor-Dor_Ste Radegonde-Bergerac

BORDEAUX_Best of Bor-Dor_Bergerac-Tremolat
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BORDEAUX_Best of Bor-Dor_Tremolat-Les Eyzies

BORDEAUX_Best of Bor-Dor_Les Eyzies-Sarlat

    

Tour Map


Total Distance: 238 km


Total Uphill: 3110 m


Total Downhill: 2983 m


Level: 2

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

Day 2: Cycling Bordeaux to Saint Emiliion - approx 51 km.
Ride out of Bordeaux on bike paths all the way to the charming town of Creon, and then continue through wine country all the way to St Emilion. Discover this World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become St Emilion as early as the 2nd century AD. The town was named after the monk Emilion, a travelling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock there in the 8th century. It was the monks who followed him that started up the commercial wine production in the area. Take some time to explore this charming town and visit the Tour du Roy which dates from 1237. Dinner on your own. (B).

Auberge De La Commanderie

2

Saint Emilion

The Auberge de la Commanderie is one of the historic sites located at the heart of the medieval town...

DAY 3

Day 3:Saint Emilion to Sainte Radegonde, approx 32 km.
Today you keep cycling east and head towards Ste Radegonde and will pass the St Genes de Castillon, a charming village surrounded by vineyards. Accommodation is in a comfortable 3 star hotel with dinner included. (B,D)

Chateau De Sanse

3

Sainte Radegonde

Situated in the South West of France, near the world renowned vineyards of Saint Emilion and Pomerol...

DAY 4

Day 4:St Radegonde to Bergerac - approx 47 km.
From Ste Radegonde you will cycle through the vineyards to Bergerac, located on the Dordogne river, a large town with good rail access and services. This is your gateway into the famous Black Perigord. The historic city is very picturesque and offers visits including the Maison des Vins - for local wines. 3 star hotel included. Dinner out on your own in Bergarac; some suggestions will be included (B)

Hotel De France

3

Bergerac

The Hotel de France is located just steps away from the pedestrian streets in the historical city ce...

DAY 5

Day 5:Bergerac to Tremolat approx - 44 km.
A fairly challenging ride, it involves some hilly terrain up to the viewpoint of Les Cingles de Tremolat. The ride will take you along a scenic route to St Sauveur and through the surrounding forests. At Tremolat you arrive at your deluxe hotel, the Vieux Logis. Gastronomic dinner included. (B,D)

Le Vieux Logis

4

Tremolat

Le Vieux Logis was formerly a tobacco farm house and in 1952 the father of the present owner, Monsie...

DAY 6

Day 6:Ride to Les Eyzies - approx 45 km.
A lot to see and visit on this day, you have a choice of rides. Starting out easy you come to Audrix a small village by small roads and almost no traffic. Then down to Le Bugue and Gouffre de Proumeyssac, and then on to Les Eyzies - capital of Pre-History! Take time to visit this very charming town and its sites and museums including the Font de Gaume. Font de Gaume is a cave that houses a collection of prehistoric polychrome cave paintings. Prehistoric people living in the Dordogne Valley first settled in the mouth of Font de Gaume around 25,000 BC. The cave was forgotten until the nineteenth century when local people again began to visit the cave. Paintings were discovered and date from around 17000 BC, during the Magdalenien period. The caves most famous painting, a frieze of five bison was discovered accidentally in 1966 while scientists were cleaning the cave. Dinner included, lodging is central charming 3 star. (B,D)

Le Cro Magnon

3

Les Eyzies

Classified by the UNESCO as a natural and historical heritage of mankind, this property offers comfo...

DAY 7

Day 7 : Ride to Sarlat; approx 23 km.
Again, a choice of rides to allow you more time to visit. The destination is the very charming town of Sarlat. This town with its cobbled streets, old roofs, and warm stone walls give an exceptional heritage. Sarlat is a medieval town that developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. The medieval Sarlat Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos. Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the towns most representative of 14th century France. You have a 3 star hotel in the center of the historical old town of Sarlat. Dinner on your own in town tonight; we include suggestions. (B)


Hotel des Selves

4

Sarlat

In Sarlat, in the heart of the Black Perigord region, the Hotel de Selves welcomes you in a contempo...

DAY 8

Day 8: Departure after breakfast, trains from Sarlat connect to nearby towns and on to Paris all day long. We can help with added nights, car rentals, or other extensions to your travel. (B)



General Tour Information

Best of Bordeaux & Dordogne
7 Nights / 8 Days

Dates - Dates of Tour availability: can start any day, but subject to hotel availability, advance planning suggested for high season, April through October.

Level - Level is intermediate, rolling terrain (2). Good physical condition suggested. Average riding of 50 km per day on the circuit; additional riding at client leisure.

Details - Train: From Paris Montparnasse - Bordeaux St Jean; 3 hours 20 min TGV in both directions. Tour depart from Sarlat and train to Paris Austerlitz is 5 hours, 25min. Flights to Bordeaux possible from many European cities; from Paris Orly 1 hour 5min.

What is self-guided touring?

Misc Info - Triples and larger rooms are occasionally available.
Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over.

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

gps and road book for cycling tours in france

The Trip Includes:
 all lodging consisting of 7 nights in charming 2,3 and 4 star hotels; all breakfast and 3 dinners, daily bag transfer, arrival orientation with bike delivery and set up, road book with detailed maps and directions, GPS - 1 per 2 persons, site/visit information, emergency support. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.

To learn more about the road books and GPS units we included, visit this link: GPS & Road Book Details

For hotels included in this tour, please see the Itinerary tab; each hotel is shown for each day.

UPGRADE: an upgraded hotel version is available for supplement (see price tab); the hotels on this version are: Hotel Burdigala, Hotel Grand Barrail, Chateau de Sanse, Hotel de France, Hotel du Centenaire, Clos la Boetie.

Additional Night in Bordeaux or other: TBD - please inquire

Tour Rates

Price

- Standard 2/3/4 star hotels

Double Occupancy:

1399 €/person

Solo Supplement:

845 €

Triple Occupancy:

1280 €/person.

Single supplements with 2 or more travelers:

363 €

 

- Upgraded Deluxe 3/4/5 star hotels+

Double Occupancy:

1769 €/person

Contact us for other rates

  

***Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 105 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer. NOTE: a supplement of 60 euros applies per person for travel between June 16-22.

(convert from euros)

Virtual Tour

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Bike Info

Bike Rentals:
bike rental discover france cycling tours Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region!
Bike Equipment: Scott Sportster P3/P4 or P40 hybrid; see details on this page including a virtual photo tour, specs and all information.

Rental Rate: 105 euros/bike for the duration of the tour. This includes all the gear shown as well as bike delivery, set up, and bike return. Every bike is given an inspection by our mechanics in the bike shop before they go out again. Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over.



Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included in the rental rate of 105 euros.

You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure, see below. Upon confirmation of your tour we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists, cell phone rental, travel insurance, and more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, a packing list, regional information about sites, culture, regional specialities, important towns and historical sites, general France travel information, bike travel tips, vouchers, train travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!

Other Tours: Travel for this region
Dordogne Multisport Tours

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