Cycling Tour Dordogne

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival

   Transfers are from Brive la Gaillard. Your hotel in Aubas overlooks fields of deer and sheep running down to the River Vezere and here you will be fitted with your bike. Go on a limbering ride that will take you to the village of Montignac, with buildings dating from the fourteenth century. Its new visitor centre houses the fantastic Lascaux Caves exhibition, where cave art representing the prehistoric civilization of 15,000-20,000 years ago is hauntingly displayed in a new high-tech installation.

   Afterwards, head back to the hotel where a quick swim in the pool before dinner might be enticing. Dinner is at the hotel where you can meet fellow cyclists and look forward to the week ahead.
   

   • Hotel in Aubas
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Cycling along River Vezere

   Your first full day in the saddle takes you into the heart of prehistoric Perigord. The road leads along the River Vezere, past the magnificent Chateau de Losse to the pretty village of Saint-Leon, a fitting place to stop for a coffee. The next stop on the journey is Roque St-Christophe, a fascinating site of dwellings carved from the cliff face dating back to Roman times and beyond.

   After lunch, follow the River Vezere as it meanders downstream towards it confluence with the Dordogne. A little climbing brings you to the village of Meyrals and thence to the secluded farmhouse hotel in the Dordogne countryside. You are treated to a home cooked meal tonight from lovely welcoming hosts!
   

   • 29.2 miles
   • Farmhouse in Meyrals
   • Breakfast and Dinner
3. Day 3A busy day of cycling and chateaux

   Today is one of the busier days on this Dordogne cycling tour! First you'll descend to the river Dordogne at the pretty town of Saint-Cyprien, with its 12th century Abbey-Church. Crossing the Dordogne, you'll stay on the south side of the river and follow it until reaching Chateau des Milandes for a visit (former home to Josephine Baker, the Cheateu’s most famous resident). Francois de Caumont, original owner of the castle, had the chateau des Milandes built in the 15th century for his young wife, who found his original 12th century Chateau Castelnaud rather cold and unwelcoming. Time permitting, after leaving Chateau Milandes you can make the comparison yourself as you make the steep climb to the Castelnaud. From its battlements you can gaze across the river to the Chateau de Beynac, its French held counterpart, standing on a cliff overlooking the village – the castle is protected by the 150m (492ft) sheer drop to the river below.

   After a breathtaking descent, there will be a climb to visit the bastide town of Domme. The hilltop bastides were built during the 100 Year War as fortified strongholds. In the afternoon, cross back to the north, following rolling backroads into the regional capital, the stunning town of Sarlat. One of the best-preserved medieval centres in France, the golden limestone used for the buildings gives the town a wonderful warm atmosphere, a real highlight.

   • 24.9 - 27.3 miles
   • Hotel in Sarlat
   • Breakfast and Dinner
4. Day 4A day of cycling or canoeing

   Tonight you are staying in Sarlat again, so there is no need to pack. There are 2 options today. First is you can stay in Sarlat and head back to the hotel at your leisure. Second option is taking a short ride back to the Dordogne and enjoy a canoe trip downstream, passing through the beautiful town of La Roque-Gageac and floating by the chateaux of Castelnaud and Beynac (which has been used as a backdrop to many movies set in the medieval times, including Chocolat!).

   After canoeing, you can take the short route back to Sarlat or a longer route through Beynac. Wine in town again tonight.

   • 22.4 miles
   • Accommodation in Sarlat
   • Breakfast and Dinner

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     Enjoy an optional canoe paddle

     Leave the bikes and pick up the oars as you cruise the Dordogne by water and land

5. Day 5Rocamadour

   Leave Sarlat and take advantage of the network of reclaimed railway track now turned into smooth traffic free cycleways. You will then cross the river to pick up some un-trafficked roads on the south side of the river and head upstream to the market town of Souillac for lunch by the Romanesque Abbey-Church. The remarkable carvings on the church are well-worth a closer look along with a stop for coffee. A few kilometres after Souillac you will reach Lacave. At Lacave, leave the river and head south, climbing through dramatic countryside to the overnight stop at Rocamadour. This spectacular village on the River Alzou has been a place of pilgrimage since the 10th Century and above the town, on the hillside, is the Cite Religeuse where there are seven chapels.

   • 33.6 miles
   • Accommodation at Rocamadour
   • Breakfast and Dinner
6. Day 6The last day of glorious cycling

   On the last day of the cycling tour, descend from the limestone plateau on which Rocamadour sits and arrive at one of the highlights of the tour, the Gouffre de Padirac, a 75m (246ft) chasm leading to a river flowing 103m (337ft) underground. The underground journey is taken by boat and on foot.

   After descending to the river at the fabulous village of Carrenac, a UNESCO listed site, rejoin the valley of the Dordogne and turn west towards the final destination in the village of Lacave, where your stunning hotel awaits with an enticing swimming pool and a spectacular gourmet restaurant!
   

   • 29.2 miles
   • Accommodation in Lacave
   • Breakfast and Dinner
7. Day 7Departure

   Breakfast at the hotel is a hearty affair. There is a chance to swap email contacts before you make your way home. Onward transfers are included if required.
   

   • Breakfast