The best of the Dordogne by bike
A cycling trip in the heart of the Dordogne to discover the different gems of the region between bastides, medieval towns, castles and prehistoric caves. A cycling holiday week in the heart of the South West!
Loop around Bergerac
Our self guided cycling holiday in the Dordogne will totally immerse you in the heart of a region marked by history. Discover the exceptional prehistoric sites of the Vézère valley called the Man’s Valley such as the Cro-Magnon shelter, La Roque Saint-Christophe and the famous Lascaux cave. Then, you reach the medieval town of Sarlat and its renowned market where you will have the opportunity to taste delicious regional products (truffles, foie gras, nuts, mushrooms ...). Enjoy a second day in Sarlat to cycle to the valley of castles where you can exchange your bicycle for a canoe to explore the Dordogne river. You will be charmed by La Roque-Gageac, listed among the most beautiful villages of France, and the majestic châteaux de Beynac and Castelnaud, strategic places during the Hundred Years War. You change banks and cross the charming bastides of Belves and Beaumont-du-Périgord on your way, as well as the châteaux de Bannes and Lanquais or the Cadouin abbey listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Finally, you cycle back to Bergerac, its harbour and its historic center where you enjoy a sweet and last evening.
Program
You arrive in Bergerac, a city of Art and History where the shadow of Cyrano, the famous hero of Edmond de Rostand's play, hangs in the air. Take time to stroll in the heart of the Renaissance city with its charming alleys and half-timbered houses. Don't miss a stop at the covered market of the city to taste some delicious local products: foie gras, ceps, walnuts, duck confit, truffles... Welcome to the Périgord!
- 52 km
- + 297 m
You take a beautiful greenway along the Dordogne to leave Bergerac. From the charming town of Lalinde, small winding roads lead you to the top of the cingles of Limeuil and Tremolat from where you can admire the meandering river.
Then, your route continues to the medieval city of Limeuil, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France and located at the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère. You now follow the Vézère valley, known as the "valley of Man" with its fifteen or so prehistoric sites. Your day ends in Le Bugue, a charming little town built like an amphitheater on the side of a hill.
- 285 km
- + 37 m
You will reach Les Eyzies, a troglodytic village considered as "the world capital of prehistory", it is here that Cro-Magnon Man was discovered. You can take a short break to visit the beautiful National Museum of Prehistory housed in the old castle of Les Eyzies. You then continue your way along the Vézère river where you will cross many architectural treasures: the Maison Forte of Reignac, the Roque Saint-Christophe or the Château de Losse.
Then, you will cross the medieval village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère very typical of the Périgord Noir. You will finally arrive in Montignac, a charming medieval town which contains one of the most precious jewels of prehistory: the Lascaux cave.
- 43 km
- + 654 m
From Montignac you cycle on small country roads to the village of Saint-Genies, one of the most beautiful villages of the Périgord Noir, then continue your way to Salignac and its castle. A few kilometers further on, you will pass by the Gardens of Eyrignac, a masterpiece of vegetation registered as a Historic Monument, where we recommend you stop for a visit.
You end your day with a beautiful descent to Sarlat, capital of the Périgord Noir. Labelled as a Town of Art and History, the medieval city holds a large number of classified historical monuments, a real open-air museum! Finally, don't miss the traditional market of Sarlat, one of the most famous in the region!
- 43 km
- + 620 m
Today, discover the most prestigious castles of the Périgord by bike or by canoe!
A beautiful loop by bike leads you to the foot of the most beautiful castles of the region: the castle of Monfort perched on its rocky spur, the castle of Castelnaud and its museum of warfare in the Middle Ages and the fortified castle of Beynac, one of the best preserved in the Perigord. You will also cross the villages of Domme and La Roque-Gageac classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. On your way you will also have the possibility to visit the majestic Gardens of Marqueyssac overlooking the Dordogne valley.
For those who wish to admire the castles from a different angle, you can exchange your bike for a canoe! You pedal to Vitrac (12km) where you leave your bike and get into a canoe. You ride down the Dordogne river admiring its castles until Beynac where you leave the canoe (16km-3h). You will then be driven back to Vitrac in a mini-van where you will get your bike back to Sarlat (12km).
- 36 km
- + 550 m
You leave Sarlat by small mountain roads to join for some time the banks of the Dordogne. You arrive at the foot of the beautiful village of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. We advise you to make a short stop to visit the heights of the village on foot as well as its imposing castle which will offer you a spectacular view on the Dordogne and the neighboring castles.
You will then continue on your way and pass in front of the Château des Milandes, home of the famous showgirl, Josephine Baker. A surprising mix of Renaissance and Art-Deco styles, the castle pays a beautiful tribute to the extraordinary destiny of its owner. Finally, you will climb to Belvès, a medieval city with 7 bell towers nestled at the top of a hill.
- 58 km
- 63 km
You start your day by cycling to Cadouin and its Cistercian abbey classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, you continue your way to the bastide of Beaumont-du-Périgord, don't miss to visit its impressive fortified church. On your way you will also come across the magnificent castle of Bannes perched proudly on its rocky spur.
A few kilometers further on, we recommend a small detour to visit the castle of Lanquais, nicknamed the "unfinished Louvre of the Périgord". You will then join the banks of the Dordogne to take the green way which will lead you quietly to Bergerac for your last evening.
After breakfast, enjoy a final stroll through the streets of Bergerac before heading home.
Accommodation
Information
Beginning of the trip
As the first day is a non-biking day, you’ll arrive at your leisure, depending on your route. Please note that rooms are usually available by mid-afternoon, depending on your accommodation. Please let the accommodation know if you are arriving late.
Bikes are generaly delivered at your hôtel the day before or in the morning of your first day cycling.
To get to the departure point
By plane: flight to Bordeaux.
By train: TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Bergerac by a connection in Bordeaux, duration of the trip around 4 hours.
To plan your trip : https://www.thetrainline.com
Car park
If you choose to drive, there are many parking options in Bergerac. Free public car parks or payable.
You can consult this website https://www.parkopedia.fr/ to easily find a carpark.
- Dordogne
- 8 day(s)
- Difficult
- ~ 86 km/day
- Loop
Tried and tested stays!
- Experience15 years' experience in cycling to advise and satisfy you
- Tested & ApprovedThe whole team goes out into the field to design the itineraries and select the best partners (accommodation, bikes, etc.).
- Quality of serviceA dedicated customer service team available and ready to listen, from the moment you book until you return from your holiday.
- Secure paymentIndividual or fractional payment by secure means via our website
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- Dordogne
- Difficult
- ~ 86 km/day
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