Best of Dordogne
This cycling trip will take you through all the best places the Dordogne region has to offer.
You will follow the Dordogne river through places dating back to Prehistory, stopping on your way to visit Rocamadour and the famous underground cave : the “Gouffre de Padirac”.
You will have the chance to stay in Sarlat, a charming medieval town, typical of the Perigord region with its local market and its 14th century ambiance.
Cycling the Dordogne valley also means seeing medieval castles, tasting delicious regional dishes and passing through some of the most beautiful villages of France. All this in one trip!
BIKE INCLUDED
Region : Dordogne
Duration : 8 Days / 7 Nights
Level : Active
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Biking
Dates : Starts any day
Click below to see hotels versions.
Pre-tour night : (Optional)
We can take care of pre-tour hotel reservations as well
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.Accommodation : Le Clos d'Argenson - "Bergerac"
Pre-tour night : (Optional)
We can take care of pre-tour hotel reservations as well
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.Accommodation : Le Clos d'Argenson - "Bergerac"
Day 1 :
Arrive in Bergerac
Arrival in Bergerac. From Paris you will take the train to Bergerac and then a taxi to Trémolat/Mauzac (included). Settle in to your charming hotel. You can either relax by the pool before your orientation.
Accommodation : Hôtel La Métairie - "Mauzac et Grand Castang"
Accommodation : Le Vieux Logis - "Tremolat"
Day 2 :
From Tremolat to Les Eyzies
Distance 1 : 28 Miles - 45 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 636 Meters
Your first ride will take you to Les Eyzies, capital of Prehistory, where Cro Magnon men were discovered. Take some time to visit the Font de Gaume, which hosts a collection of prehistoric cave paintings. Prehistoric men living in the Dordogne Valley first settled in the Font de Gaume around 25,000 BC. The cave was forgotten until the 19th century. The paintings found here date back to 17000 BC, during the Magdalenien period. The most famous painting, a mural of five bison was discovered accidentally in 1966 while the scientists were cleaning the cave.
Accommodation : Les Glycines - "Les Eyzies"
Accommodation : Les Glycines - "Les Eyzies"
Day 3 :
Ride to Sarlat
Option 1 : 14 Miles - 23 Km
Option 2 : 18 Miles - 29 Km
Elevation gain 2 : 385 Meters
Elevation gain 3 : 620 Meters
Since today is a short ride but your destination has plenty to offer, we recommend getting an early start to give you plenty of time to visit the charming town of Sarlat, a medieval town built around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. Sarlat is one of the only towns in France which has kept its 14th century influence! If you happen to be there on Wednesday or Saturday morning, do not miss the wonderful local market. You will stay at a charming hotel in the center of the old town of Sarlat.
Option : You can decide to take a longer itinerary (with more elevation) going to the Chateau of Commarque (open to public), facing the Chateau de Laussel (private).
Accommodation : Best Western Le Renoir Hotel - "Sarlat-la-Canéda"
Accommodation : Plaza Madeleine - "Sarlat-la-Canéda"
Day 4 :
Cycle to Lacave and Visit the Dordogne Caves
Distance 1 : 25 Miles - 41 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 575 Meters
Today you ride to Lacave where you can visit the local cave. In this cave, the visit starts with a short underground train ride, at the end of which you will meet a guide to take you on a mile-long visit! On your way to Lacave, you can stop in Souillac and its Church of Sainte Marie. Tonight, you will stay at Pont de l'Ouysse with dinner included.
Accommodation : Le Pont de l'Ouysse - "Lacave"
Accommodation : Chateau de la Treyne - "Lacave"
Day 5 :
Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac
Distance 1 : 32 Miles - 51 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 872 Meters
Today you will pass by the Gouffre de Padirac, one of the most famous underground caves in France, where part of the visit is done by boat. The Gouffre de Padirac is quite popular, we recommend getting there as early as possible. Be sure to allow some time to visit Rocamadour, one of the most visited places of France, first as a pilgrimage destination, but also because of its beautiful village built on a cliff side. Do not forget to visit the Remparts, as well as the Rocher des Aigles where vultures, falcons and eagles fly free. You may want to visit a local farm producing and selling goat cheese, or just walk around the narrow streets of the village.
Accommodation : Hotel Les Esclargies - "Rocamadour"
Accommodation : Hotel Les Esclargies - "Rocamadour"
Day 6 :
Cycling Along the Dordogne River to Carsac
Distance 1 : 29 Miles - 46 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 619 Meters
Today take your time riding along the Dordogne River for a quiet countryside ride. Your destination is Vitrac or Carsac, small villages in the Black Perigord. Vitrac is known for its Chateau and water sports.
Accommodation : Hotel Villa Romaine - "Carsac"
Accommodation : Hotel Villa Romaine - "Carsac"
Day 7 :
Ride in the Perigord Region to Belves
Distance 1 : 24 Miles - 38 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 491 Meters
For your last ride, you will ride through some very pitturesque villages such as la Roque Gageac and Castelnaud la Chapelle. La Roque Gageac has been awarded 'one of the most beautiful villages' of France! Built at the foot of a cliff, right along the river, do not miss its Exotic Garden and the troglodyte fort. Several famous castles are on your itinerary as well, such as the Chateau des Milandes, former home of Josephine Baker, and the Chateau de Castelnaud la Chapelle, an impressive fortified castle overlooking the Dordogne valley.
Accommodation : Hotel Clement V - "Belves"
Accommodation : Hotel Clement V - "Belves"
Day 8 :
Departure Day
Departure after breakfast, trains for Paris and other destinations possible.
Distance : 39.00 Km / 24.29 Miles - Elevation gain : 599.71 Meters
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day : 1
This beautiful 19th Century house offers tranquility and simplicity, far from the sound and the fury, deep in the heart of the Périgord. Exposed beams, extensive grounds, an outdoor pool, bright colours and a terrace overlooking the garden bring together all the ingredients for a relaxing break in this 4 star boutique hotel. In addition, you will discover delicious food showcasing regional produce and cosy rooms, each decorated in a different style. Located just a few kilometres from Bergerac and the famous prehistoric village of Eyzies.
Day : 2
Hotel Dordogne, Les Eyzies en Perigord. 3-star boutique hotel, restaurant, park, pool. At the heart of prehistory.
Day : 3
This graceful property in a quiet area, offers elegant accommodation and modern facilities to make your stay in Sarlat a pleasant one. Located just 2 minutes from Sarlat's historic medieval centre, Le Renoir Hotel offers a warm welcome, French hospitality and pleasant surroundings. You can take a stroll through its cobbled streets and discover a thousand years of architecture. The attractions include walled towns, chateaux, prehistoric caves, Romanesque churches, parks, gardens, quiet streams and of course Perigord's celebrated cuisine.
Day : 4
Just as the gleaming wood of an old country sideboardoffers its own special welcome in any dining room, so the whole atmosphereat Le Pont de l'Ouysse is one of welcoming warmth. And this goes hand in hand with all that is best from the present day - fine cuisine, perfect service, up to date facilities, beautiful surroundings, complete relaxation_ whatever is needed to ensure that guests are enchanted with their stay.At night, the modern swimming pool adds to the magic of the decor. By day, it is a tranquil oasis, set in a ring of trees and with lovely views over the encircling bowl of hills.Nestling in deep green countryside, the hotel is an ideal starting pointfor innumerable gorgeous walks.
Day : 5
Situated in Rocamadour, a delightful village of the Perigord, close to the castle, the Hotel Les Esclargies is a superb property nestled among oak trees, a place where everything is dedicated to well being and relaxation. Boasting a mellow, sensuous ambiance, a lovely terrace and a large outdoor swimming pool, this refined hotel is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing holiday in a green setting far from any city bustle. To blend with its surroundings, most of the stones and woods used in the construction of the hotel reflect the spirit of the location in keeping with tradition and history. The Hotel Les Esclargies has a partnership with the nearby Restaurant Du Chateau, which offers an imaginative cuisine inspired by the colors and flavors of the area.
Day : 6
In the heart of the Perigord Noir only 7km from Sarlat, The Villa Romainecombines the authenticity of its ancient stones with modern comfort. Thisancient Gallo Roman site steeped in history commands an exceptionalpanorama of the Dordogne, unspoiled countryside, cliffs and the forest of the Druids. Tastefully restored, the hotel has 17 large bedrooms two of which aresuite sitting rooms and one bedroom adapted for the physically disabled.All the rooms have views over the surrounding countryside. There is alarge swimming pool with an infinity edge for the use of the hotel clients.
Day : 7
The CLEMENT V could easily be mistaken for one of those village houses which choose to protect their charms behind an unassuming front. Inside, however, you will discover 11th century vaulted cellars and exposed rafters in the attic bedrooms, you will sit by the log fire of the sitting room or have tea by the conservatories lemon trees. With its nooks and crannies, and its twists and turns, Le CLEMENT V retains the feeling of a true family home.The CLEMENT V was recently renovated in keeping with this atmosphere. The prestigious Suite des Consuls with its high ceiling and wide windows overlooking the surrounding countryside could have been the private realm of the head of the family, the colonial bedroom : the den of a prodigal son, always between adventures, the Boudoir : the colourful, light hearted cocoon of a young maiden.All the rooms are very different therefore. But the laid-back atmosphere of idiosyncratic warmth and comfort which pervades the hotel is the same throughout, perhaps simply reflecting the delight of living in this area. It is after all the most beautiful countryside in the world, according to Henry Miller.
Day : 1
Le Vieux Logis was formerly a tobacco farm house and in 1952 the father of the present owner, Monsieur Giraudel, after retiring from his work in Paris, moved to this relaxing region away from all the city hustle, and decided to venture into the hospitality business. Today, his son Bernard, the youngest of all, continues the business. The property is one of great charm and elegance where every room has been tastefully decorated in different antique styles using beautiful fabrics.
Day : 2
Hotel Dordogne, Les Eyzies en Perigord. 3-star boutique hotel, restaurant, park, pool. At the heart of prehistory.
Day : 3
The Hotel de la Madeleine is conveniently located in Sarlat where you can easily access the prehistoric sites, castles, and bastides of Perigord. There is a gastronomic restaurant on site where the chef creates dishes to tempt any palette and all of the guest rooms at the hotel are air conditioned for your comfort.
Day : 4
Overhanging the Dordogne, the castle (XIVth and XVIIth century) combines the authenticity of past, the stamp of comfort and the highest quality standard of a listed site. The French formal garden is surrounded by 120 hectares of forest.Philippe and Stéphanie Gombert handle the art of living to perfection: rich and refined bedrooms, breakfast in the shade of ancient cedars, dinner in the Louis XIII lounge or on the terrace overlooking the river .The Chateau De La Treyne is located on the Dordogne River. It has a tennis court, heated pool and the restaurant is home to Michelin star chef Stephane Andrieux.The hotel offers antique furnished rooms, suites and apartments with air-conditioning, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi.The Chateau is situated by a private forest in the Lot countryside of south-central France. The hotel terrace offers panoramic views of the Dordogne valley.The Chateau De La Treyne offers trips to explore the surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, canoeing and golf nearby.
Day : 5
Situated in Rocamadour, a delightful village of the Perigord, close to the castle, the Hotel Les Esclargies is a superb property nestled among oak trees, a place where everything is dedicated to well being and relaxation. Boasting a mellow, sensuous ambiance, a lovely terrace and a large outdoor swimming pool, this refined hotel is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing holiday in a green setting far from any city bustle. To blend with its surroundings, most of the stones and woods used in the construction of the hotel reflect the spirit of the location in keeping with tradition and history. The Hotel Les Esclargies has a partnership with the nearby Restaurant Du Chateau, which offers an imaginative cuisine inspired by the colors and flavors of the area.
Day : 6
In the heart of the Perigord Noir only 7km from Sarlat, The Villa Romainecombines the authenticity of its ancient stones with modern comfort. Thisancient Gallo Roman site steeped in history commands an exceptionalpanorama of the Dordogne, unspoiled countryside, cliffs and the forest of the Druids. Tastefully restored, the hotel has 17 large bedrooms two of which aresuite sitting rooms and one bedroom adapted for the physically disabled.All the rooms have views over the surrounding countryside. There is alarge swimming pool with an infinity edge for the use of the hotel clients.
Day : 7
The CLEMENT V could easily be mistaken for one of those village houses which choose to protect their charms behind an unassuming front. Inside, however, you will discover 11th century vaulted cellars and exposed rafters in the attic bedrooms, you will sit by the log fire of the sitting room or have tea by the conservatories lemon trees. With its nooks and crannies, and its twists and turns, Le CLEMENT V retains the feeling of a true family home.The CLEMENT V was recently renovated in keeping with this atmosphere. The prestigious Suite des Consuls with its high ceiling and wide windows overlooking the surrounding countryside could have been the private realm of the head of the family, the colonial bedroom : the den of a prodigal son, always between adventures, the Boudoir : the colourful, light hearted cocoon of a young maiden.All the rooms are very different therefore. But the laid-back atmosphere of idiosyncratic warmth and comfort which pervades the hotel is the same throughout, perhaps simply reflecting the delight of living in this area. It is after all the most beautiful countryside in the world, according to Henry Miller.
Bikes available for your tour
The SCOTT SUB Sport 20 features a sporty trekking geometry that suits trips of all distances. Equipped with a Shimano 30 speed transmission, integrated front and rear lights, a custom Racktime carrier and compatibility with Snap'it accessories, this bike is begging to go on an adventure. All sizes available: S, M, L, XL.
Frame: SUB Sport 20 6061 Tig welding Fork: SF14 NEX DS HLO PM 700C Shifters : Shimano Deore SLM 590 Chain ring & crank arms: Shimano FC-T3010 Black 48x38x26 Cassette: Shimano CS-HG200-9 11-34 T Black Brakes: Tektro Disc Brake SCH-F15 Stem: JD-ST103A Saddle: Syncros Urban Commuter 2.5 Seat post: HL SP-56 Rims/Spokes: X12 Disc, 32h / Pillar Steel 14G Tires: Continental City Ride II or Schwalbe Spicer or Marathon Weight: 17 kg / 37.48 lbs
With its integrated rack, seamless assist and comfortable upright position, the Mavaro is all about freedom: the freedom to enjoy weekend treks or trips to the store, the freedom to escape the car for the daily commute or the freedom to feel the wind in your face - effortlessly.
The SCOTT Addict 20 was redesigned from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With new geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 20 will be your go to when you're looking to put the miles. XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XLX
The SCOTT Addict RC 20 Disc comes with all the great features of the Addict, but is equipped with disc brakes. A lightweight HMF Carbon frame and fork, Shimano Ultegra, Syncros components and Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes combine to create a lightning fast climber that performs at its best in ALL weather conditions.
Having racked up stage wins in the Tour de France, wins at Milan San Remo and Liege Bastogne Liege just to name a few, it is safe to say that the FOIL has made a name for itself in recent years. After all of this sucess, the logical step was to go back to the drawing board to make something even faster. The all NEW FOIL 10 has been designed to be even more aerodynamic, more comfortable, and to still have that incredibly laterally stiff nature. Featuring an HMF Carbon Fiber frame, an integrated FOIL stem and Shimano Ultegra Di2, the FOIL 10 is a race ready machine at a fraction of the cost. Available in S, M, L.
An exclusive geometry well adapted to the widest riding public. Equipped with a Shimano fluid transmission specially for tandems, an adjustable stem (that the passenger can adapt under all circumstances) and a RockShox YARI RC fork for your comfort, our Tandem MTB will accompany you on long excursions or for more sporty rides. For an optimal return on your effort and complete confidence, we’re making it available in 27.5-inch tires. Traveling as a pair will become a new way for you to share your passion. Available in size : M, S
Accessories
- Rear pannier containing : Helmet / Lock / Pump / 2 Spare tubes
- Handlebar bag containing: Toolkit / Tire levers / Patch kit
- 1 souvenir water bottle
- Odometer
- Flat pedals are included (toe straps on request)
- Saddle bag containing : Toolkit / Tire levers / Patch kit / 2 Spare tubes / 1 Hand pump + Rear pannier
- Helmet
- Odometer
- Lock
- Flat pedals are included (toe straps on request)
- 2 souvenir water bottles
Roadbooks
Our road books are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our road books even better. Our road books include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow directions step by step (Cue-sheet). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.
GPS
GPS are included on all tours Since 2008. We change the units every 2 years and always invest in the best models. Simple to use, easy to read, yet sophisticated devices they are available on all of our tours. The routes described in your roadbook are stored as tracks in the GPS unit. You simply have to follow the line shown on the GPS, and enjoy. 1 GPS for every 1-3 people
Included
- Taxi transfer from Bergerac to Tremolat/Mauzac included.
- 7 nights of accomodation in superior hotels of charm with private shower and/or bath
- Daily breakfast at each hotel, 3 dinners included
- Hybrid bike rental included
- Orientation in person with our local guide
- Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
- 1 GPS for every 1-3 people
- All luggage transfers
- Comprehensive trip literature
- Technical and emergency support available at all times
What's not included
- Airfare to and from the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Ticket Font-de-Gaume cave
- Ticket Lacave cave
- Ticket Gouffre de Padirac
- Drinks
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
| Price from & per person | Double occupancy | Single supplement (traveling with a group) | Solo traveler (traveling alone) |
| Standard | 1880 € | 430 € | 2850 € |
| Pre-tour Night | ** | ** | ** |
| Upgraded | 2350 € | 570 € | 3350 € |
| Pre-tour Night | ** | ** | ** |
*Please contact us for triple room rates
| Options per person : | |
| Hybrid Bike Rental | Included |
| Road Bike Rental | |
| Standard | 145 € |
| Performance | 235 € |
| Premium | 300 € |
| Electric Assisted Bike | 145 € |
| Tandem Bike Rental | 50 € |
Train: From Paris Montparnasse to Bergerac (5 hours) - and taxi transfer to Tremolat or Mauzac directly. (included).
Tour depart from Belves and train to Paris Austerlitz is 5 hours, 35min. Flights to Bordeaux possible from many European cities; from Paris Orly 1 hour 5min.