Cycling in the Dordogne is like stepping back in time.
The Dordogne is a region steeped in history, with a diverse landscape. You can’t help but be dazzled by this magnificent territory, its gastronomy and its architectural remains dating from Prehistory through the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. This magnificent region truly offers you a piece of human history. With 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 8 villages classified as France’s most beautiful villages, it’s an ideal destination for lovers of history and terroir, but not only. The many “voies-vertes” and “véloroutes” located along magnificent sites and landscapes make the Périgord a particularly popular destination for cyclists. Whether you’re with the family, on your own or in good company, why not discover the Périgord region by bike? In this post, we’ll try to guide you to the most beautiful greenways and cycle routes in the Dordogne for your cycling tour.
Bicycle tours to suit every type of rider
But first of all, it’s worth noting that cycling in the Dordogne can sometimes be quite a sport. The difference in altitude can quickly put off the less experienced. But don’t worry, if you’re a beginner and/or a family with children, you’ll still be able to find suitable itineraries in our small selection that will delight you. In case of doubt, and if you’d like to be accompanied step by step in the creation of your itinerary, turn to a reliable and professional bicycle travel agency that will make your tailor-made tour an unforgettable experience. Don’t wait any longer to discover the best itineraries for your bike tour in the Dordogne and make an informed choice! Cycling on the AF3V, the voie-verte from Thiviers to Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière The voies-vertes, and the one from Thiviers to Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière is no exception, are routes reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Located in the heart of the Périgord Vert region, the 17 km route is accessible to beginners and particularly popular with families. Following the course of a 19th-century railroad line, you’ll have the opportunity on this cycling tour to admire beautiful landscapes, sheltered from the sun by the shade of magnificent hardwood trees. Don’t miss Saint-Jean-de-Côle (one of France’s most beautiful villages) and the 12th-century Château de la Marthonie. Short but beautiful bike ride on the voie-verte from Sarlat to Cazoulès The 30 km-long voie-verte from Sarlat to Cazoulès via Carsac is, like its predecessor, particularly popular with novice cyclists and families. Also created along disused railroads, you can’t help but be surprised and amazed by the titanic work carried out by the workers of the time. In the shadow of the cliffs and forests of the Dordogne valley, this hike allows you to admire and/or visit pretty medieval villages typical of the Périgord Noir (such as Belvès, la Rocq-Gageac or Domme), not forgetting Sarlat, a town of “Art and History”, and some of France’s most beautiful châteaux (the Château de Castelnaud or the Château des Jardins des Milandes, former home of Joséphine Baker, for example). Last but not least, a detail not to be overlooked when the weather’s fine: you can take a dip on the beaches along the way, so don’t forget your towels!
The Céou cycle route
A véloroute is a safe route for cyclists that links regions and can be shared with all types of motorized vehicles. The Céou cycle route, around 25 km long, is known for the fact that very few cars or tractors pass through it. As a result, it remains an easy route, accessible to as many people as possible. Departing from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, one of France’s most beautiful villages, this route takes you to Léobard and its Abbaye Nouvelle, a magnificent Cistercian abbey ruined in the 14th century. As well as cycling along the Céou and its crystal-clear waters, you’ll have the chance to visit the magnificent villages of Saint-Cybran or Daglan and its “Maison de la pierre sèche”. After Daglan, the cycle route continues, but becomes sportier, with a fairly steep gradient. However, it will take you to the beautiful village of Bouzic and its market hall. So many wonderful memories in store! A cycling trip through the wilds of the Dordogne on the V91 The 18 km V91 (Bergerac cycle route) is an ideal cycle route for families, duos or solo riders. Starting from the Tuilières dam, close to the Lalinde canal (with its locks, basins and aqueducts), you’ll reach Bergerac via a shady route, ideal in summer. During the first part of your journey along the Dordogne, you’ll enjoy the wild landscape and picturesque houses. Finally arriving in Bergerac, you’ll pass over the Old Bridge of Bergerac before finishing at Quai Cyrano, the new Maison des Vins et du Tourisme. A gourmet cycling itinerary for architecture lovers on the V90: La véloroute / voie-verte de la vallée de l’Isle Approximately 100 km long, this cycling trip is an opportunity to contemplate the Isle river and enjoy superb views from the footbridges. This itinerary, which can be done over several days, is the perfect excuse for a gourmet stopover (in one of Périgourdine’s gastronomic hotspots) as well as a cultural one. From Pizou in Gironde to Trélissac, you’ll come across, among other architectural marvels, the Cathédrale Saint-Front in Périgueux (dating from the 12th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Gardens of Château de Mauriac (listed as a Historic Monument) and the Romanesque church of Sait Martin l’Astier, built between the 9th and 12th centuries.
Cycling through nature in the Périgord on the V92: La Flow Vélo
From Thiviers to Fouras in Charente-Maritime, “La Flow Vélo®” stretches for almost 300 km, where you’ll be seduced by its extraordinary bucolic charm, its nature and its peaceful corners. Numerous must-see stops will slow down the progress of your cycling trip. You’ll start in the Parc Naturel Régional du Périgord Limousin and then make your way to the “Art and History” towns of Angoulême, the capital of comics, Cognac with its vineyards and famous distilleries, Saintes and its Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, or Rochefort and its naval arsenal, before finishing on Île d’Aix, the “little Corsica” of the Atlantic coast (accessible by embarking from Fouras-les-Bains). All that’s left for you to do is choose the tour or bike trip that suits you best. Or don’t choose, and take on the challenge of cycling them all! Saddle up and enjoy the riches of the Périgord!
