Dordogne Cycling
- Pedal through iconic and ancient Périgord landscapes
- Visit the Lascaux Caves, said to be the prehistoric equivalent to the Sistine Chapel
- Wander the medieval cobbled streets of charming Sarlat la Canéda
- Cycle past fortified villages and immense chateaux
- Pause in Les Eyzies to sample the local truffles
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in SouillacToday 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.Â

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.
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

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.
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. Saturdays and Wednesday mornings are market days in the old town.
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

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.
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.Â
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

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.
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 (tickets must be reserved in advance).
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.

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.
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 and if you take today's longer variant, you can visit the enchanting gardens and Renaissance fortress of Chateau de Losse. Finally, arrive 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

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.
Today’s ride is through rolling countryside and several stone-built villages, then brings you near 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. You cannot visit these original caves, but you may reserve tickets for the fascinating Lascaux IV, a stunning reproduction of the original cave interiors.Â
Also, en route to Souillac, you can visit the golden limestone village of St Geniès and a 13th-century convent in Salignac. On the longer route, marvel at the unique topiary and landscaping of Les Jardins d’Eyrignac. 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

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.
The tour finishes after breakfast. From Souillac you can make your onward journey.
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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
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.
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.
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years
This tour is rated moderate. You will need to have a fairly good fitness level to fully enjoy this trip as it does involve some steep climbs. 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 / sightseeing days in Sarlat la Canéda and Les Eyzies if you wish. You will be cycling along quiet country lanes, the occasional cycle path and on moderatley busy roads for very short periods of time as you approach and depart larger towns.
Your 8 day, 7 night self-guided cycling tour includes 7 nights in a combination of 2 and 3* hotels all located in iconic towns or villages of the Dordogne. Â
Alternate accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo travellers can also travel on this tour with an additional supplement.
Meals
Breakfast is included at your hotel each morning. You can buy your lunch in local shops or markets and it is easy to find local restaurants on the evenings, or you may dine at your hotel.
A detailed information pack including route notes, local information and maps will be provided to you at your first hotel. You will also have access to the GPX tracks for each day's longer route variant via our Macs Adventure smartphone app.Â
- 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
- Travel to / from Souillac
- Bike hire (Standard Hybrid & E bikes available)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Additional nights along the route
- Bike hire (Standard Hybrid & E bikes available)
Dordogne summers are hot and sunny, where temperatures of 35 to 39 degrees Celsius are common. It would be best to start early to miss the heat of midday and avoid possible thunderstorms in the afternoon.
This tour starts and ends in Souillac.Â
By Train: If using the Eurostar from London or arriving into Paris, it's a 5.5 hr train journey to Souillac from Paris Austerlitz. The SNCF website will give you times and schedules.
By Air: There are a few different airports to choose from. It is possible to fly into either Toulouse, Brive, or Bordeaux Airports. There is a railway station in Souillac and you can take trains from Toulouse, Bordeaux and Brive. The SNCF website will give you times and schedules. If you fly into Brive Airport the easiest way of reaching Souillac is to take a taxi. The cost is around €50 and it takes approximately 30 minutes.
By Car: Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. Then drive to Souillac (approximately 5-6 hours). You can park your car in Souillac either in an open car park opposite the hotel.Â
By Air: Make your way back to either Toulouse, Brive, or Bordeaux or Paris Airports. There is a railway station in Souillac and you can take trains to Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Brive. The SNCF website will give you times and schedules. If you fly from Brive Airport the easiest way is to take a taxi. The cost is around €50 and it takes approximately 30 minutes.
By Car: Ferry from Caen to Portsmouth. Drive from Souillac (approximately 5-6 hours).Â
By Train:Â It's a 5.5 hr train journey from Souillac to Paris Austerlitz.
When you are cycling between accommodation your main bag will be transferred. We ask that you limit your luggage for transfer to one bag of up to 20kg.
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.
Bike hire is available as an optional extra. The Orbea hybrid bikes have an aluminium frame and 24 Shimano gears. E bikes may also be rented, subject to availability. 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 specifications 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.
Question |
Answer |
Brand |
Orbea |
Bike Type |
Hybrid |
Frame types |
gents, ladies |
Sizes |
17, 19, 21, 23 in / 44, 48, 52, 58 cm |
Front suspension |
yes |
Stand |
yes |
Mud guards |
yes |
Luggage rack Rear/Front |
Yes/no |
Paniers |
Yes |
Handle bar Bag/ map holder |
Yes/yes |
Bottle holder/Water bottle |
yes |
Computer meter |
No |
Interchangeable pedals |
TBA |
Front gear set |
3 |
Back gear set |
8 |
Brakes |
V-brake |
Helmet included |
No (can be hired from supplier, 2€ per day) |
Puncture repair kit |
Yes |
Spare inner tubes/ how many |
Yes/1 |
Pump |
Yes |
Lock |
Yes |
It is strongly recommended that you secure adequate travel insurance.
This trip is graded moderate. Daily distances are from 28km—58km. You will need to have a fairly good fitness level to fully enjoy this trip as it does involve some steep climbs.Â
To get the most out of the trip, it's a good idea to get out on your bike for a couple of consecutive days in the lead up to your trip so you can get used to riding back to back days. However, it’s not all about the cycling. Each day there are plenty opportunities to visit historic sights and sample locally produced food and wine.Â
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