8 Days & 7 Nights

4.5

Dordogne Cycling

Cycle through iconic Dordogne landscapes
Fortified villages and dark oak forests
Medieval cobbled streets of Sarlat la Canéda
Chateaux-studded hills and unrivaled gastronomy
Pause in Les Eyzies to sample the local truffles

Cycle through the distinctive limestone villages and the undulating countryside of the Dordogne region, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way. This region is one of Europe’s most beautiful valleys, and where you will find pre-historic dwellings, chateaux-studded countryside, the dark oak forests of the Vézère Valley, and unrivalled gastronomy. The French call the Dordogne by its ancient name of Périgord, and this cycling tour is concentrated in the Périgord Noir. Starting and finishing in Souillac, this ride takes you to Sarlat le Canéda, Les Eyzies and Montignac, with opportunities to explore these towns on optional rest days, or to enjoy loop rides in the surrounding areas.

From £1,095.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Souillac

Today you will arrive in the bustling old quarter of Souillac, a town of understated charm. Strategically placed since pre-Roman times on the confluence of the Borrèze and Dordogne Rivers, it is worthwhile to arrive early if you can and explore the old quarter and magnificent 11th-century Romanesque church.

Overnight Souillac

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

La Vieille Auberge | 3 Star | Hotel

This former coaching inn from the Napoleonic era is located in a quiet area with the majority of the 22 rooms boasting a balcony overlooking either the pool or the village. The rooms are al well-equipped with free WiFi and modern amenities.

Day 2 Cycle Souillac to Sarlat le Canéda 21.7 miles / 35 km

Your first day of cycling takes you beside the Dordogne River and along a cyclable piste, visiting Chateau Fenelon, set on a rocky promontory and an important stronghold in the Cathar Wars of the 12th and 13th centuries. Also, pass through the pretty village of Carsac.

Today, your destination is Sarlat la Canéda, which has been inhabited since Gallo-Roman times. On Saturdays there is a large market spread throughout the streets of the old town, selling local food produce and arts and crafts, there is also a smaller market on Wednesday mornings.

Ascent/descent: 112m/59m

Overnight Sarlat-le-Caneda

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel La Couleuvrine | 3 Star | Hotel

Located in a tower of the old ramparts of the medieval town of Sarlat in Périgord. La Couleuvrine is a charming hotel of the past combined with modern comforts.

Day 3 Rest day in Sarlat la Canéda or optional cycle via La Roque-Gageac 19 miles / 31 km

Today you can take a rest day in Sarlat Le Canéda to explore and take it easy, or you can opt to take a fascinating loop ride through the surrounding area.

Sarlat la Canéda is a beautiful little city and capital of the Périgord Noir. Feel like you have really stepped back in time as you wander down its medieval cobbled streets. The town grew up around the Benedictine Abbey and is popular today because of its medieval and Renaissance architecture.

If you choose to cycle, you will take a trail that leads you along pretty country lanes to the bastide town of Domme and to the town of La Roque-Gageac, which is neatly tucked beneath the cliffs next to the Dordogne River.

Ascent/descent: 319m/321m

Overnight Sarlat-le-Caneda

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel La Couleuvrine | 3 Star | Hotel

Located in a tower of the old ramparts of the medieval town of Sarlat in Périgord. La Couleuvrine is a charming hotel of the past combined with modern comforts.

Day 4 Cycle Sarlat la Canéda to Les Eyzies via Beynac 24 miles / 39 km

Say au revoir to Sarlat and cycle through the rolling countryside of the Dordogne valley to visit the medieval Chateau of Beynac, perched on top of a limestone cliff and one of the best-preserved in the region. The delightful town of St Cyprien is also en route, and perhaps you would like to take a break here and have lunch in an outdoor café on the square?

Upon leaving behind the Dordogne River, you will be heading for the Vézère Valley and the cliffs of Les Eyzies, world-renowned as a centre for pre-history.

There is also a shorter route available (26km) through the Perigord woodlands. Both routes join in thre sleepy village of Meyrals, from where you cycle to Les Eyzies.

Ascent/descent: 504m/581m

Overnight Les Eyzies

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Cro-Magnon | 3 Star | Hotel

Leaning against the cliffs in Les Eyzies this 15-room hotel is the epitome of Périgord charm. Filled with antique furniture, you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome. The rooms are spacious and the restaurant serves seasonal dishes that change daily.

Day 5 Rest day in Les Eyzies or optional loop ride via Font de Gaume 18 miles / 29 km

You may opt to have a rest day to spend time in Les Eyzies, or you can take an exciting cycle ride. Of course, if you get an early start, you can do both! On the edge of Les Eyzies (and on your optional cycle route) is the Font de Gaume, a grotto that contains pre-historic cave paintings and a World UNESCO Heritage Site.

Today, your cycle route takes you to Chateau de Commarque, built in the 12th century and surrounded by an area of untouched beauty. Also on today’s cycle route are troglodyte caves, a Roman chapel, a knights’ tower, and noblemen’s houses, recently discovered under 350 years of overgrown vegetation, all carved into the cliff. You will also want to visit Abri du Cap Blanc, another UNESCO pre-historic site that features a carved frieze of animals and a Cro-Magnon tomb which is 15,000 years old. The site is the only one of its kind that is still open to the public.

Overnight Les Eyzies

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Cro-Magnon | 3 Star | Hotel

Day 6 Les Eyzies to Montignac via Roque St Christophe 19 miles / 31 km

Your route today takes you along the Vézère Valley and beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Roque St Christophe, an enormous troglodyte site inhabited from prehistoric times until as recently as the 18th century. The whole complex is over 1km long, and it is well worth spending time here to explore.

Continue via the Romanesque church of St Leon, a pretty little village, before arriving in Montignac, a town with a turbulent history through the ages.

Alternatively, you might want to take a shorter route (24km) to the pre-historic caves of Castle Merle in Sergeac. Both routes join in Thonac and take you along the banks of the Vezere River into Montignac.

Ascent/descent: 343m/344m

Overnight Montignac

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Le Lascaux | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Le Lascaux is located only 1km from the famed Lascaux Caves and it features a pretty, private garden, a restaurant with an outdoor terrace and elegantly decorated guest rooms. With free Wifi, walk-in showers and a delicious buffet breakfast freshly prepared each morning, your stay here will be delightful.

Day 7 Cycle Montignac to Souillac via the Lascaux Caves 34 miles / 55 km

Today’s ride is through rolling countryside and several stone-built villages, then brings you to the Lascaux Caves, France’s most famous prehistoric cave paintings. They were discovered in 1940 by four boys who were searching for their lost dog. The paintings here are renowned for their fantastic artistry with a 600-strong menagerie of animal figures, such as bison, mammoths, reindeer and horses.

Also, en route to Souillac, you can visit the golden limestone village of St Geniès and a 13th-century convent in Salignac. Finally, enjoy your final evening in Souillac, where you may celebrate your cycling achievements and your stay in this beautiful region of France with a glass or two of Bergerac!

Ascent/descent: 591m/577m

Overnight Souillac

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

La Vieille Auberge | 3 Star | Hotel

Day 8 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This self-guided cycling tour takes you in a loop through some of the most iconic yet untouched landscapes of the ancient Périgord region, or the Dordogne, its modern name. You will see hill-top villages and pedal through unrivalled rolling countryside. See many World UNESCO Heritage Sites such as the Font du Gaume, Lascaux Caves and the Abri du Cap Blanc.

Trip Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Grade & Terrain

This trip is graded moderate. You will need to have a fairly good fitness level to fully enjoy this trip as it does involve some steep climbs, despite it being low level terrain. Daily ascents range from 112m to 591m. However, the distances per day are not too long so you will have plenty of time for stops along the way to visit all the amazing sights. There is also the option to take rest days in Sarlat la Canéda and Les Eyzies if you wish, and there are shorter options on some of the rides. You will be cycling along quiet country lanes, avoiding major roads.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights accommodation in 2* and 3* hotels
7 Breakfasts and 1 dinner
Baggage transfers
Information pack, route notes and maps
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to / from Souillac
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sun screen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Bike & E-Bike Hire

Bike hire is available as an optional extra. The Orbea hybrid bikes have an aluminium frame and 24 Shimano gears. All rental bikes come with a luggage rack and 2 rear panniers, 1 handlebar bag with holder, a water bottle holder, 1 lock, 1 pump, and a repair kit with inner tube.

Complete bike speculations are listed in your information pack.

Helmet rental is not included. If you wish to rent a helmet they are available at the bike hire company located near the first hotel. Although, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for your own comfort.

For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recomend hiring an e-bike. The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to the top of hills or to your final destination with more energy in the tank for an afternoon swim or simply for exploring. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.