Perigord and Quercy for Avid Riders

This is an itinerary that will take you through Quercy and Perigord's best known sites and will allow quality miles on quiet roads.

Highlights include Souillac, Les Eyzies, Sarlat, La Roque Gageac, Castlenaud, Rocamadour, Padirac, Carennac. Saint Céré, etc....

And of course, after a full-day of cycling and sightseeing, Perigord and Quercy's gastronomic heritage and hearty culinary specialties will be yours to experience.... A memorable trip for body and soul!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Souillac
Welcome in Souillac where you will be greeted by Christine, our local correspondent. Souillac is a pretty town wedged between Périgord Noir (Black Perigord) and Quercy, two areas that you will explore in the next few days. Dinner and overnight in Souillac.

Day 2: Souillac to Les Eyzies (65 km or 41 miles)
You'll probably want to take a stroll and explore Souillac before getting on your bike! We've kept today's mileage to a low 65 km (41 miles) to allow you to do just that! On your way to Les Eyzies, the World Capital of Prehistory, you will ride through typical Perigord villages. All are rich in remarkable sites: Salignac and its medieval castle, Saint-Armand-de-Coly and its remarkable church and Montignac where the famous Lascaux grotto is located. Dinner and overnight in Les Eyzies.

Day 3: Les Eyzies to Sarlat (75 km or 49 miles)
You will first ride along the Vézère river up to its confluence with the Dordogne river--in Limeuil, a village that bears the coveted title of "One of France's Prettiest Villages"--then you're on to the scenic "Cinglé de Trémolat" (Dordogne meanders) and the village of Cadouin and its medieval abbey. From there, riding will be done in a superb landscape of rolling hills and wooded areas. Dinner and overnight in Sarlat.

Day 4: Loop around Sarlat - Options range from 70 km --44 miles-- to 100 km or 60 miles
We’ll give you different options! All options will take you along the Dordogne river to discover some of France's prettiest villages and castles (La Roque Gageac, Beynac, Castelnaud, Les Milandes) as well as Perigord's fortified villages dating back to the Middle-Ages: Belvès, Domme (and Montpazier if you choose the longer option). Dinner and overnight in Sarlat.

Day 5: Sarlat - Rocamadour (58 km or 36 miles)
We've kept today's mileage to a low 58 km to allow you to explore Sarlat's medieval center (the largest in Europe) before setting off on your journey to the Quercy area. Today's ride to Rocamadour is magnificent from start (viewpoint in Calès of the Ouisse Canyon) to finish (Rocamadour and its exceptional setting). Rocamadour will be your home for the next two nights. Dinner and overnight in Rocamadour.

Day 6: Loop around Rocamadour - Options range from 70 km --44 miles-- to 100 km or 60 miles
Different options are possible with some as low as 70 km (44 miles), and others slightly above 100 km (60 miles). All will take you to the famous abysmal cave of Padirac, the castle of Castelnau and Saint- Céré. You will also visit the villages of Loubressac, Autoire, and Carennac, which are all in the category of ‘One-of-France's-Prettiest-Villages’. Dinner and overnight in Rocamadour.

Day 7: Rocamadour - Souillac (80 km or 50 miles)
Today's ride will take you through typical Quercy villages (Lacave, Meyronne, and Martel), Collonges-la-Rouge, a colorful village built of red sandstones, and a picturesque village worth visiting, called Turenne. Dinner and overnight in Souillac.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, depart Souillac at the time of your choice.

Average daily mileage: 58 km (36 miles) to 100 km (60 miles)

Level: 4 (Difficult) (based on a 1- 5 difficulty scale)

These prices do not include:
-Lunches
-Drinks
-Travel insurance
-Expenses of personal nature
-Rental bikes. Hybrids rent for 95 euros. Racing bikes available on request (subject to availability)