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The Dordogne cycling must-sees – Périgord noir

Price per person

From 700€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Sarlat, Souillac - France

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 30

Your stay

The Dordogne’s must-see cycling destinations in Périgord Noir

On this Dordogne bike tour, we’ll take you along small roads and greenways to some of the most beautiful sites in this region of France: the Périgord Noir.

Departing from Sarlat la Canéda, a beautiful medieval town nestled between the Dordogne and Vézère rivers, you’ll join the Vézère Valley and the Dordogne Valley to discover some of the most beautiful villages in France.

On the program: Les Eyzies de Tayac, world center of prehistory, the no less famous Grottes de Lascaux (Lascaux II or Lascaux IV, your choice!) or the picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac on the banks of the Dordogne (you’re free to go a little further to visit Beynac or Dommes).

The trip ends in Souillac for a final bike ride into the neighbouring Lot region, with Rocamadour as the goal, a sacred city clinging to the cliffs.

A multifaceted journey that will take you from prehistoric to medieval times. Each evening, you’ll have the opportunity to dine in the restaurant of your choice and sample the many specialties of this region, certainly one of the most gourmet in the country!

However, this cycling tour in the Périgord Noir does have a few hilly features. So don’t hesitate to opt for an electric bike, which will make your cycling vacation even more enjoyable.

You will be welcomed and accommodated each evening in a hotel*** .

You'll enjoy :

2 nights in Sarlat-la-Canéda to see all of this medieval jewel
A trip back to prehistoric times along the Vézère valley
Recommended visit to the Lascaux cave (Lascaux II or Lascaux IV)
Medieval villages and castles in the Dordogne valley
The exceptional site of Rocamadour, sacred city and panorama.

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Sarlat

We’ll give you your road book, with details of your itinerary.

Sarlat is one of the jewels in the crown of the Périgord Noir region, a town that has preserved the traces of its history. It owes its renown to its rich architectural heritage. You’ll be amazed by its winding streets, vaulted passageways, cathedral and mansions dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The medieval city is also renowned for having the highest density of listed or registered historic monuments in the world.overnight stay in a *** hotel in Sarlat.

Day 2 - Sarlat - Les Eyzies

Ascent: approx. 350m Descent: approx. 450m

If you didn’t have time to visit Sarlat on your arrival, take the time to stroll through its medieval streets. Perhaps you’ll have the chance to browse its famous market.

This day’s cycling takes you to the heart of the Vézère Valley and prehistory, in the direction of Les Eyzies. Depending on your mood, you’ll be able to discover a wealth of treasures in caves, cave dwellings and rock shelters. After this escapade, you can enjoy a final night in Sarlat, the emblematic town of Périgord.

“Les Eyzies is the birthplace of prehistory as a science, illustrated by the names of Peyrony, Lartet, Capitan, Abbés Breuil and Glory; it was here that Cro-Magnon Man was discovered; it is here that the world’s wonders of cave art can be found. Discover an exceptional concentration of prehistoric sites, most of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Come and meet Homo sapiens, the remains of his habitat, his daily activities and his art.Overnight in a *** hotel in Les Eyzies.

Day 3 - Les Eyzies - Sarlat

1/ Short option: Return to Sarlat by a different route than the day beforeUp: approx. 400m Down: approx. 300m2/ Long option via LASCAUXUp: 650m Down: 580m

On this final leg, you’ll continue your journey back in time through several prehistoric sites dotting the Vézère Valley, before reaching the famous Grotte de Lascaux. Here, Paleolithic man has created a unique and accomplished work of art, made up of signs and animal representations. A masterpiece of prehistory, this priceless treasure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can also take a quicker route to Sarlat, the gastronomic capital of the Périgord Noir, where you’ll enjoy regional cuisine including foie gras, truffles and duck…

Overnight in a *** hotel in Sarlat.

Day 4 - Sarlat - Souillac

1/ Short option. Ascent: approx. 160m Descent: approx. 200m2/ Long option via LA ROQUE-GAGEAC Ascent: approx. 500m Descent: approx. 580m

You’ll leave Sarlat gently on a “voie verte” (greenway) laid out on an old railroad line, along the Dordogne Valley, leading you to Cazoulès, just a few kilometers from Souillac. This easy, safe route offers a varied landscape, in the shadow of cliffs, between forests, small villages on the banks of the Dordogne and the countryside.

If you wish, you can make a detour to reach the village of La Roque-Gageac on the Dordogne. If you still have some strength left, you’re free to push on to Beynac or Dommes.

Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast *** hotel in Souillac.

Day 5 - Souillac loop - Rocamadour - Souillac

Ascent: approx. 760m Descent: approx. 670m

This day-long loop takes you to the small village of Lacave, on the banks of the Dordogne, before reaching the sacred city of Rocamadour.

The world-famous medieval town, clinging to the cliffside in an overlay of houses and chapels, dominates the Alziou canyon from a height of 120 metres!

A major pilgrimage site on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, Rocamadour is also famous for its Basilica of Saint-Sauveur and the Crypt of Saint-Amadour, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as the Chapel of Notre-Dame, home to the Black Madonna.

Overnight in a Bed and Breakfast *** hotel in Souillac.

Day 6 - Departure

After breakfast.

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €700

Price includes

5 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast (in double/twin room)
Road book (with map and directions)
GPS application on smartphone
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Supplement

VTC bike rental: €115
Electric bike rental: €190
Canoe trip on the Dordogne: €30

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A VTC bike adapted to the ride and the route
An electric bike adapted to the route

With equipment :

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 helmet (on request)
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

A child’s bike
A baby seat
A trailer
A follower bike

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is offered in the “superior” category

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: