Dordogne Valley

The tours normally start and end in the market town of Gourdon. The town has been built in tiers around a hill, where once a castle and ramparts stood. From the viewing platform at the top of the hill, there are fabulous views of the surrounding Bouriane.

A short distance away is the beautiful town of Sarlat which was once the capital of Périgord. Sarlat is famous for its medieval architecture and has the highest concentration of medieval, renaissance and 17th-century façades in France. Every Saturday, its lively street market attracts both locals and tourists to the town. Sarlat is not to be missed and is included in our tours wherever possible.

As you start to explore the Dordogne valley, you will pass through one picturesque village after another. La-Roque-Gageac has been built into steep sandstone cliffs which rise high above the river. We recommend spending some time discovering the village’s fascinating architecture, along with visiting its exotic gardens and the troglodyte fort built into the cliff face.

Visible from much of the Dordogne valley is the gorgeous hilltop bastide town of Domme. Within its well-preserved stone walls, the town seems unchanged over the centuries and much has been done to retain its authentic atmosphere. From the town, the views of the river valley below are breathtaking.

The Dordogne valley has an impressive concentration of châteaux and your tour will allow you enough the time to explore several along the way. Choose from Montfort, Fénelon, Biron, Bonaguil, Hautefort, Castelnau-Bretenoux, Beynac, Castelnaud, Marqueyssac and Les Milandes. Beynac and Castelnaud were on opposing sides during the Hundred Years War, Marqueyssac has gorgeous gardens and Les Milandes was once the home of Josephine Baker and her “Rainbow Tribe”.

The length of your tour is variable. You decide. And you are able to start a tour whenever you wish – it is neither fixed in advance nor dependent on a whole group starting together. Whichever tour you choose, you are guaranteed both freedom and flexibility. All our tours run from early April to mid-October. Should you wish to book a tour out of season, however, do please contact us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Our self-guided tours are extremely flexible. Once we know your preferred start date and choice of tour, leave everything else up to us. By the way, if you’re not sure which tour to choose, don’t hesitate to give us a ring so that we can discuss all the possible options with you before you book.

4 different itineraries and 7, 9 or 11 day tours - see options.

The Dordogne/Lot Combo Tour explores both these magnificent regions. This tour is custom-built and varies in length from 8 to 18 days. How much cycling do you want to do? How much do you want to see and explore? If you are contemplating this amazing tour, talk to us first.