Tours in Dordogne

• Lascaux caves

  The Dordogne region boasts hundreds of caves, many of which are open to the public for visits. The two types of commonly found caves in this area are those that are known for their prehistoric paintings and those that are sought out for the incredible rock formations they contain. Some of our cycling tours will take you to the Lascaux Caves in particular – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located near the village of Montignac, these caves are famous for their numerous prehistoric paintings of animals.

• Dordogne Castles

  Visitors in Dordogne certainly have their pick of castles to explore, however two in particular stand out from the rest. The Château de Beynac is the best-preserved castle in the region. Erected in the Middle Ages, this amazing structure is perched high atop a limestone cliff above the Dordogne River. The Château de Castelnaud in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is also incredible. This medieval fortress overlooks the Dordogne Valley.

• Bergerac

  It is one of the largest towns in the region and is located on the north bank of the Dordogne River, in what is referred to as the Purple Perigord. Take some time to explore the “old town” with its quaint boutiques and fine dining. There are also beautiful old mansions and museums to visit. La Maison des Vins, for example – is the headquarters of the Council of Wine makers of the Bergerac region. The Tobacco Museum is unique in France and housed in a 17th-century house on the street of l'Ancien-Pont. It has an impressive collection of pipes and tools to illustrate the history of tobacco. The city of Bergerac can be visited on most of our Dordogne cycling tours.

• Sarlat

  The town of Sarlat, capital of the Black Perigord, is centrally located and is perhaps the most famous town in the Dordogne region. With brilliant architecture and cozy little streets perfect for a leisurely bike ride, visitors will quickly learn why so many people choose this town as their travel destination. Don’t miss the Saint Sacerdos Medieval Cathedral, or the Maison de la Boétie, birthplace of Etienne de la Boetie (in 1530), now used for summer exhibitions. Sarlat also hosts the Sarlat Theatre Festival in the summer and a Film Festival in November. The town is in all our Dordogne cycling tours.

• Rocamadour and other villages

  Rocamadour is probably the most picturesque village in the Dordogne Valley. You will be awestruck by the impossible construction of this historic town on the side of a cliff. The buildings of Rocamadour (from ròca, cliff, and Saint Amador) rise up the side of a cliff on the right bank of the Alzou River – a tributary to the Dordogne River. Flights of steps ascend from the lower town to the pilgrimage churches. Rocamadour is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  Dordogne is made up of many small villages, each with their own unique charm. Among others, our tours will bring you to:
  • La Roque Gageac. Uniquely located on the north bank of the Dordogne River, it is officially said to be among the most beautiful villages in France. One of the most notable sights is its troglodyte fort, which sits high atop a cliff 40 meters above the town.
  • Les Eyzies: Surrounded by over a hundred prehistoric sites and dozens of caves filled with ancient paintings, it is home to the National Prehistoric Museum.

DORDOGNE FOOD AND WINE

Perigord is famous for its cuisine and a meal in an "auberge de campagne", local restaurant, is worth the visit! It is the goose grease used in most dishes that gives such a particular taste to the Perigord gastronomy. Among the most famous dishes, we find the Duck confit (confit de Canard) and the Magret de canard – breast from a specific breed of duck. And for a true experience, try the foie gras - a delicacy made from goose or duck liver!
The Black Perigord is famous for its truffles. Truffles are a very specific type of edible mushrooms. They are quite difficult to find and therefore can be very expensive.

Dordogne also has delicious red wines from Bergerac, and the sweet Monbazillac – a white wine produced along the banks of the Dordogne River.

DORDOGNE GEOGRAPHY

Dordogne is a department of the Aquitaine region in the Southwest of France, within which we find the famous Perigord. Aquitaine also includes Bordeaux and the wine country east of Bordeaux.
The Perigord corresponds to the region close to Perigueux, capital of Dordogne. It is divided into 4 areas: the Green Perigord, the White Perigord, the Purple Perigord and the Black Perigord. Our cycling tours will take you mainly to the Purple and Black regions.
Perigord is a rich and fertile country, densely forested and crisscrossed by rivers flowing from the plateau of the Massif Central mountain range to the Atlantic Ocean. The Dordogne River in particular has carved out a beautiful winding valley of gentle greenery. This is a choice region for mankind since a very long time. Many Stone Age relics and caves have been found here dating from around 20,000 years ago.
In the village markets, the fruit and vegetables, nuts, and mushrooms of every description bear witness to the region's self-sufficiency in food.

DORDOGNE HISTORY

A legend pretends that when God distributed his castles, he started by the Loire Valley. Leaving the area, his bag burst over the Dordogne River and the Perigord region will be eternally thankful for his clumsiness!
Dordogne is known as the 'cradle of mankind' because of the numerous prehistoric sites, which have been found in the area.
During Roman Times, the province of Aquitania extended almost as far north as the Loire River. Later on, the area became an English possession when Eleanor of Aquitaine, daughter of the last duke of Aquitaine married to the throne of England’s heir in 1152. It remained English until the 15th century and the end of the Hundred Year's War when it was then annexed by France.