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Dordogne / Périgord

Vineyards and castles : 10-day bike tour from Bordeaux to Sarlat

You cycle from the Bordeaux vineyards to Sarlat to discover the Dordogne and Vézère valleys. Between bastides, medieval villages, castles and prehistoric sites, you will fully enjoy the treasures of the region!

Reference DP1001
  • Itinerant trip
  • 10 days
  • Challenging
  • From April to October
  • Minimum age 14 years
GPSGPS application available
From
Prices
1090€ / pers.
Book here
  • Itinerary
    • This 10-day bike trip will delight both wine and history lovers. You start by discovering the vineyards of Saint-Emilion and its famous village and then reach the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac. You cannot leave the region without a wine tasting! Your route will cross many medieval villages more charming than the others: Limeuil, Les Eyzies, Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Terrasson-Lavilledieu, Saint-Genies... Prehistoric enthusiasts will not be outdone with the multitude of prehistoric sites that mark out the route, you can visit among others the National Prehistory Museum, the Font-de-Gaume cave, la Roque Saint-Christophe and of course the famous Lascaux cave. This cycling trip offers you the opportunity to spend two nights in the medieval cities of Bergerac, Montignac and Sarlat to fully discover them and their surroundings. For your last day, you can exchange your bike for a canoe if you wish to explore the Dordogne river and its famous castles : Beynac, Castelnaud, La Roque Gageac... With this complete and varied holiday, take the time to appreciate all the gems of Périgord by bike!

    Day 1
     
     

    Bordeaux

    You might want to enter the old city section by riding along the quays of the Garonne. The Bordeaux quayside is one of the most magnificent waterfronts in the world. Bordeaux was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007 because of the beautiful 18th century facades and outstanding buldings. Discover the banks of the Garonne River and check out the buildings made with white chiseled stone.

    Day 2
     
     

    Bordeaux - Saint-Emilion

    Altitude
    ±256m
    Bike
    55km
    You leave Bordeaux along the Garonne river on a nice cycle path. Nature is gradually gaining ground over the city. You divert from the river from Latresne to ride on a former railway converted into a cycle path. The old train stations are welcoming you in each village and often provide services for cyclists such as food, coffee and information. We strongly recommend to go out of the cycle path to see the bastide of Créon or the remains of the abbey of La Sauve.

    Then, you cross the Dordogne river to reach the famous vineyards of Saint-Emilion. Cycle to the medieval village and reach the Tour du Roy and the bell tower of the monolithic church to enjoy an exceptional view over the vineyards and the Dordogne valley. Finally, end your first cycling day by tasting some great wines.

    Day 3
     
     

    Saint-Emilion - Bergerac

    Altitude
    ±68m
    Bike
    68km
    You leave Saint-Emilion through its vineyards and cycle by some great wine estates : Château Trottevieille, Château Laroque, Château de Ferrand ... Then, you cycle to the banks of the Dordogne in Castillon-la-Bataille where the famous battle took place and ended the Hundred Years War between France and England. Cycle along the river banks for a few kilometers before reaching Montcarret and its Gallo-Roman villa.

    You cycle on small country roads and cross the Dordogne in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, charming bastide which introduces you in the Périgord. Little by little the vineyards appear and you arrive in Bergerac, city of Art and History where you can meet the statue of Cyrano, famous hero of the play by French author Edmond de Rostand. Take the time to stroll through the heart of the Renaissance town with its charming alleys and half-timbered houses.

    Day 4
     
     

    Loop tour to Monbazillac

    Altitude
    ±326m
    Bike
    33km
    Today discover the Monbazillac vineyards with a nice loop tour! You cycle to the beautiful château de Monbazillac that you can visit. Continue on small country roads in the middle of vineyards and cycle by the château de Bridoir in Ribagnac, nicknamed the "100 games castle". Your path will cross many wine estates where you will have the opportunity to stop for a wine tasting. Finally, you cycle back to Bergerac to spend another evening in the beautiful city.

    Day 5
     
     

    Bergerac - Le Bugue

    Altitude
    ±297m
    Bike
    52km
    You take a beautiful greenway along the Dordogne river to leave Bergerac. The peaceful shores of the river are only disturbed by the majestic gabarres (traditional boats) sailing there. From the charming town of Lalinde, small winding roads lead you to the top of the cingles de Limeuil et Trémolat from which you can admire the meanders of the river.

    Then, you cycle to the medieval village of Limeuil, listed among the most beautiful villages of France and located at the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère rivers. You are now following the Vézère valley, known as the "Vallée de l’Homme" (Man’s Valley) with its fifteen prehistoric sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your day ends at Le Bugue, a charming little town built like an amphitheater on the side of a hill.

    Day 6
     
     

    Le Bugue - Montignac

    Altitude
    ±285m
    Bike
    38km
    You leave Le Bugue to reach Les Eyzies, a troglodyte village considered as "the world capital of prehistory", it was here that the Cro-Magnon Man was discovered. You can take a short break to visit the beautiful National Prehistory Museum housed in the former castle. You keep cycling along the Vézère river where you will come across many architectural treasures: the Maison Forte de Reignac, the Roque Saint-Christophe and the Château de Losse.

    Then, you cross the medieval village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, very typical village of the Black Périgord. You finally arrive in Montignac, a charming medieval town where you can visit one of the most precious gems of prehistory: the Lascaux Cave.

    Day 7
     
     

    Montignac

    Altitude
    ±476m
    Bike
    3/36km
    You enjoy a break day in Montignac to visit Lascaux IV and its International Center for Cave Art, this is the last reproduction of the cave opened in 2016. The cave is reproduced in its entirety thanks to advanced 3D technology (3km round trip).

    You can also complete your day with a nice cycling loop tour through the medieval villages of the Vézère valley. The route takes you through Condat-sur-Vézère, an ancient Templar village, Terrasson-Lavilledieu and its sumptuous Imaginary Gardens and finally Saint-Amand-de-Coly and its majestic 12th century abbey. You cycle on small country roads with very beautiful views over the valley (36km).

    Day 8
     
     

    Montignac - Sarlat

    Altitude
    ±708m
    Bike
    44km
    From Montignac you cycle on small country roads to the village of Saint-Genies, one of the most beautiful villages in the Black Périgord. You cross Salignac and its castle, then a few kilometers further, cycle by Eyrignac gardens where we advise you to stop for a visit. Listed as a Historic Monument, these gardens are a green masterpiece combining rose gardens, ponds, flowers, grass carpets, fountains and plant sculptures on an area of 200 hectares.

    You end your day cycling down to Sarlat, the capital of the Black Périgord. Labeled City of Art and History, the medieval city holds a large number of national heritage sites, a real open-air museum! Finally, do not miss the traditional market of Sarlat, one of the most famous in the region!

    Day 9
     
     

    Sarlat

    Altitude
    ±563m
    Bike
    43km
    Bike or canoe
    Today, discover the most prestigious castles of the Dordogne by bike or canoe!

    A beautiful loop tour takes you to the foot of the most beautiful castles of the region: the château de Monfort perched on its rocky spur, the château de Castelnaud and its museum of war in the Middle Ages and the château de Beynac, one of the best preserved in Dordogne. You also cycle through the villages of Domme and La Roque-Gageac, both listed among the most beautiful villages in France. On your way you will also have the opportunity to visit the majestic Marqueyssac Gardens overlooking the Dordogne valley.

    For those who wish to admire the castles from a different perspective, you can exchange your bike for a canoe! You cycle from Sarlat to Vitrac (12km) where you leave your bike to get a canoe. You explore the Dordogne river while admiring its castles until Beynac where you leave the canoe (16km-3h). Then, we will drive you back to Vitrac in a mini-van where you collect your bike to cycle back to Sarlat (12km).
       

    Canoe ride along the Dordogne 3h

    You must be able to swim.
    		 21,00 € / adult

    Day 10
     
     

    Departure from Sarlat

    After breakfast, enjoy a last stroll through the streets of Sarlat before leaving.
  • Accommodation

    • Category A

    You will enjoy staying in these clean and cozy 2-3 Star hotels that give you a pleasant rest after your day of biking. Breakfast is included zhen you spend the night in these friendly and family-run hotels.

    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Category B

    You will get a good night’s sleep when you stay in these 3-star hotels or charming Bed and Breakfasts. All properties have been selected for their cleanliness, style and friendliness of the staff. A hearty breakfast is included!
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
    • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.
    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tariff tab)


    Luggage

    Our services include luggage transport in order to let you enjoy your trip comfortably and without stress :
    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy the itinerary and its points of interests.

    Our documentation contains a very detailed description of the itinerary. No matter how you usually navigate, you will find your way thanks to our comprehensive guidance material including:
    • a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike
    • a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest

    Example of a map and of a step-by-step description


    Our GPS App

    For this trip, you can also use our smartphone app featuring GPS guidance (without extra fee).

    You will find in the app all the information given in the map and step-by-step roadbooks. You will be located on the itinerary with the GPS device of your phone. The route and directions to follow will be both viewable on the screen of your phone and announced aloud. As you ride along the itinerary, you will be given information about visits, restaurants, services and useful alerts on the way.

    -> You need to have a smartphone and download Le Velo Voyageur app on your Apple or Android store before the trip. All details concerning the downloading and the use of the application will be given after we have confirmed the booking and the balance is paid. Once the trip is downloaded, the GPS guidance can be used off-line.
  • Practical information
    • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: flight to Bordeaux and then shuttle to the city-center.

    • By train: direct TGV trains to Bordeaux. To plan your trip, www.oui.sncf


    Parking

    If you drive to Bordeaux, you can park your car in a secured car park located in the city center, close to your accommodation and the train station. The daily rate is 6€ and decreases depending on the duration. This parking is secured and opened from 5am to 1am. It is accessbile for vehicules up to 1m90 high. The location and contact details of the car park will be given in your travel documents.


    To get back to starting point:

    Trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. Regular regional trains are riding between Sarlat and Bordeaux. Bikes are accepted for free. The duration of the trip is about 2h20. Full rate is 28.70€/pers.

    You will find the timetable of the day in your travel documents.


    Meeting time:

    The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on from where you come. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We advise you to plan half a day for visiting Bordeaux. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late.

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