Dordogne cycling holiday, France

The Dordogne is one of Europe’s most beautiful valleys. It’s also one of the most spectacular and fascinating parts of France. In this region, you will find the best examples of cave art and early settlement which are really impressive, but you will also discover great castles, fortified towns and lovely villages.

Our trip starts and finishes in the beautiful mediaeval town of Souillac, with its stunning 12th century Benedictine monastery. You can also explore the Gardens of Eyrignac (one of the most beautiful gardens in France), Salignac and its castle and the typical Dordogne villages as St Genies, Les Eyzies de Tayac…

Here, you may set aside time to visit the grottos which are particularly famous and impressive, as well as the castle of Beynac which is on the cliff top.

A few miles and days later, you continue your ride through more picturesque villages (Montignac, Sarlat, Vitrac, Domme…) each with their own grottos, castles and beautiful scenery.

Cycling up from the rivers to the hills requires a moderate level of fitness. To relax after a day in the saddle, you can make a stop-over near the banks of the Dordogne Rivers as there are some good swimming spots there.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrival into Souillac
When you will arrive in Souillac, you will have the opportunity to visit its stunning 12th century Benedictine monastery. This remarkable monastery is really impressive with its fine carvings including a statue of the prophet Isaiah, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. You can access Souillac easily as it is near some of the main roads in France and on the main Paris-Toulouse rail line, a 5 hour trip with no change of trains. In your hotel, you will be met by our representative on your first night, who will provide bikes (should you be hiring), route guides and notes for your trip in Dordogne.

Day 2 – Souillac to Salignac - 30kms / 19 miles
Today, you will cycle through the authentic Perigord, away from the crowds and tourists. This is a gentle start that allows plenty of time to visit the Gardens of the Manor of Eyrignac and their superb landscapes. The gardens are some of the most beautiful in France because they were designed in a specific style and now they are the last remaining in the country. Then we continue our ride to Salignac, a typical village of Perigord with its medieval castle.

Day 3 – Salignac to Les Eyzies - 47 kms / 29 miles
Today is a leisurely ride which will allow you to discover the quaint village of Saint Geniès, the Valley of the Vézère River and its remarkable prehistoric sites. On the way, you will appreciate the wonderful views of La Roque St. Christophe - make sure your camera is ready! Then we head off to Les Eyzies which is the world capital of Prehistoric times and no visit will be complete without discovering the magnificent paintings which adorn the walls of the grottos and caves.

Day 4 - Les Eyzies - 25 to 60kms (5 options available) / 16 to 37.5 miles
A longer ride today but if you want to set off earlier to take more time to explore Les Eyzies, 5 different cycling options are available. Amongst the highlights today is the chateau-village of Beynac. The area of Beynac and its castle is one of the finest in France. The village has been built above the water's edge, at the foot of a 150 metre cliff and it is topped by an impressive fort. With the changing colours of the sky and the water, Beynac is a paradise for painters and photographers in all seasons. In the middle Ages, the castle was so powerful and its barons so cruel that local vassals and small farmers nicknamed it as "Satan's Ark".

Day 5 - Les Eyzies to Sarlat to Vitrac - 34 kms / 21 miles
Leaving the valley of the River Beune, you will cycle through scenery of a great beauty via Montignac and its famous grottos to Sarlat, the capital of Perigord Noir. Here, it is a nice place to take a break - have a stroll through its medieval center, considered one of Europe's biggest. You continue your ride to Vitrac which is only a few miles from Sarlat and where we will stay for the night.

Day 6 - Around Vitrac - 25 to 55kms (4 options available) / 16 to 34 miles
Vitrac is the perfect location to ride to the many beautiful places of this area. First, we will ride to the grottos of Cougnac then continue to the River Dordogne Valley where there are many castles. You will also have time to visit the castle and the fortified village of Domme which overlooks the river. The village of La Roque-Gageac, an old river harbour located at the foot of a cliff, is worth a visit too.

Day 7 – Vitrac to Souillac 32 kms / 20 miles
Today, we go back to where our trip begun, in Souillac. We will follow the Dordogne River and along the way pass the castles of Veyrignac and Fenelon. It is a real stunning end to a beautiful journey, in one of the most spectacular areas of France.

Day 8 – Departure
C’est la vie!! – Your cycling tour in Dordogne is finished and after breakfast, it’s time to say au revoir to this charming region of France.

Equipment
We provide everything except a bike (although we are able to hire these), personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike, it is imperative that it is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, we advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. Details of which spares you should take will be included in the pre-departure dossier sent with your booking confirmation. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your bike will be suitable.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Lunch and evening meals (unless on the half board option).
C) Travel insurance (if required, £26).
D) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
E) Bike hire (available if required).
F) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions.
G) Travel arrangements to the first nights accommodation.