Dordogne & Vezere – 10 Night Relaxed

The Dordogne is a well kept secret among the French and tour companies alike.  This stunning region is in the heart of some of the most wonderful cycling in the world.  This region’s beautiful countryside and 40,000 years of history to explore make it the perfect area for a cycling vacation. In this tour you explore the Vezere River Valley and it’s prehistory sites, the Dordogne River Valley and its amazing old fortresses hanging from the cliffs, and the Lot Department where you will visit Rocamadour.  The accommodations are small family hotels with delicious food throughout the tour. It includes 6 gourmet dinners and all breakfasts. We strongly suggest that you start on a Monday so that you can visit some of the local village markets on days that they are open. If you desire a longer yet similar tour check out our 10 day option. We offer the best Dordogne bike tours.

Day 1:  Les Eyzies arrival
You are met at the train station in the pre-history capital of France, Les Eyzies.  Your hotel is built into the side of the cliffs and is next to where the Cro-Magnon Man remains were discovered.  Settle in for 3 nights.  Depending on your time of arrival, you either assemble your bicycle or we will fit your rental, have a short orientation and then an afternoon warmup loop. A walk into the village and even a visit to one of the pre-history sites may be in order as well.

Day 2:  Le Bugue Market & Vezere Loop Ride
You depart early for a local street market in Le Bugue, 10km down the Vezere River from your hotel.  It is an excellent market and a great way to acclimate yourself to the local way of life.  After the market you  can return to Les Eyzies or have a beautiful loop ride that starts with a pedal down to the confluence of the Dordogne and Vezere Rivers.  The mileage can range from 20 to 60km, depending on your choice.  Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 3:  Les Eysies to Montignac Loop Ride
Today you follow the Vezere northeast to Montignac with several great pre-history sites along the way: Site Madeleine, Le Roque St. Christophe, and also the lovely Chateau de Losse.  The town of St. Leon is a good place for a picnic or cafe lunch. There are several short but steep climbs today.  You return the way you came, a lovely ride of 56 km.  There are other shorter options  with less climbing and other pre-history sites.  Dinner tonight is at our lovely hotel.

Day 4:  Les Eyzies to La Roque Gageac
Today you leave the Vezere River Valley and go into the Dordogne Valley.  After an optional visit to Font de Gaume (original cave paintings) you have a morning climb over the hill to the Dordogne River.  Your destination is an amazing village built into the cliff walls along the banks of the river.  Along the way you will visit the beautiful village of Beynac and it’s old fortress chateau from the middle ages high on the cliffs above.  A very full day but only 40km.  Settle in for 2 nights at our hotel overlooking the river.  Dinner is at your hotel tonight.

Day 5:  Domme, Castelnaud, & Chateau Les Milandes
If you want a completely flat riding day, today is it.  Today is intended as a rest day since there are several significant sites to visit, but several hilly options are available. You first visit the old fortress chateau of Castelnaud and explore its siege weapons collection.  Then onto Chateau Les Milandes and the former home of American entertainer Josephine Baker.  The chateau tour tells her life story as a black singer that took France by storm and her amazing life and times. You can also do the climb to Domme, which is about  2 steep kilometers.  You can walk it and the view from the cliff above is worth the effort.  You can also canoe on the Dordogne or take a tour boat.  If you did not visit Beynac yesterday, that can also be done today.  Or, you can just hang out in this lovely town – one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (designated as one of Frances most beautiful villages, as is Domme).  Dinner is on your own in the village tonight.

Day 6:  La Roque Gageac to Meyronne
A great ride today along the Dordogne River and into the Lot Department.  It is 50km rolling to Meyronne with several hills, but you have all day to get there.  Take your time and enjoy the beauty.  The route goes through Souillac, a lovely town on the Dordogne with a historic old abbey.  Then on to Lacave and its grotto and then a bit further along a beautiful road to Meyronne.  Settle in for 3 nights.  Your hotel dates to the 11th century overlooks the Dordogne river, has a pool and a great restaurant.  Dinner tonight is at your hotel.

Day 7:  Rocamadour Exploration
This is a beautiful sight seeing day with two very different destinations: Rocamadour and Gouffre de Padirac.  The Gouffre is a 100 meter deep hole in the ground which leads to caverns formed by the underground river navigable by boat.  The formations in the caverns are amazing.  Then on to Rocamadour, a famous stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy descending the path down to the sanctuaries and village below, Stations of the Cross, and the incredible view afforded by the ramparts of the chateau overlooking Rocamadour. Be prepared to do some climbing. A very full day of 30km if you just visit Rocamadour and an additional 24km if you go to the Gouffre as well.  You are on your own for dinner tonight in the village of St. Sozy across the river or again at your hotel.

Day 8:  Cerennac and Castelnau Loop Ride
Today is a great day to just hang around the pool, visit the town of St. Sozy across the river, or maybe visit the cave at Lacave just 7km away.  You have earned a day off the bike, a ride along the upper Dordogne River and visit Carennac and Castelnau (to visit the old fortress).  This is some of the most beautiful riding you will find anywhere.  45km round trip to Carennac and Castelnau adds another 18km to the round trip.  If you still need more, there is a great Plus Beaux Village, Loubressac, high on a hill overlooking the upper Dordogne.  Dinner is again at our hotel.

Day 9:  Mayronne to Sarlat
We retrace out route back down the Dordogne river, bypassing Souillac and riding some lovely new roads.  We then get on a bike path (Piste Cyclable) for our ride into Sarlat, the regional capital known for its old town. Enjoy the shops and history dating back tothe 9th century.  It is an easy rolling 51km with one big hill in the morning. Dinner is on our own in the village tonight.  Many options including our hotel, one of the finest restaurants in town.

Day 10:  Sarlat Market & Exploration
You will wake to the sounds of the morning street market just down the street, which fills the old town.  It is a magnificent market with food, fabrics, clothing and art. You have nowhere you have to go today so shop as long as you like, then lunch and explore some more.  The historical sites are magnificent.  If you brought a bike you will want to pack it today in preparation for tomorrows departure.  Your farewell dinner is at the hotel.

Day 11:  Les Eyzies departure
We collect your bike if you rented, help you move your bags to the depot, and bid you farewell.

To find out more about how our Self Guided Tours operate, what is included, and what is not, click HERE.

Special thanks to our local guides, Roger & Em Boiling, for many of the wonderful pictures included on this page and our other Dordogne pages. All of these images capture the beauty and peace that the Dordogne is known for. Come and discover this hidden cycling destination for your next vacation.