Cycle The Dordogne

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.

The tour starts and ends 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.

Travelling along the Lot valley, you will definitely want time to visit Rocamadour. The town clings to the rock face overlooking the Ouysse gorge – and is the site of an ancient pilgrimage. The splendid “rouge” village of Collonges-la-Rouge is also worth making a detour for, along with Cahors, St-Cirq-Lapopie, Puy-l’Evêque and the magical riverside village of Cressensac.

We are confident that the Dordogne and Lot valleys will enchant you throughout your tour – and we’re certain that you’ll want to return here again and again!

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.

2 different itineraries and 8, 9 or 10 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.

The Gourmet & Grottes tour is our most recent addition. Besides offering superb cycling, the tour offers two elements for which the region is most famous: food and caves!

Whenever you’re in this part of the world, good food and wine are always on the agenda, so we’ve carefully chosen hotels for you to stay in which offer excellent cuisine. Five gourmet evening meals are included in the tour cost and we guarantee you will never forget them!

During your holiday, you will have the opportunity to visit four stunning cave systems: Pech Merle, the Gouffre de Padirac, the Grottes de Presque and the Grottes de Cougnac.

This tour includes three of the most beautiful river valleys in France. A cyclists dream. Beautiful scenery, quiet roads, fantastic lodgings. This tour offers so much.

Cycle alongside the first of the three rivers that you will come across on this tour, the River Dordogne. You head westwards, up river, to the beautiful village of Martel. Then cycle out of the Dordogne Valley and up to the stunning village of Rocamadour. Highlights along the way include Carennac and the "Gouffre de Padirac".

From Rocamadour it's across the stunning deserted countryside known as the Gramat Causse and then down to the delightful village of Cabrerets. Just outside of the village lies the "Grotte du Pech-Merle", famous for its wondrous prehistoric cave art.

The Célé Valley is less well known than other valleys to be found in the region, but it is spectacular, and the cycling and countryside is a dream. Figeac, your destination, is a bustling, engaging town with great charm. Leaving Figeac, you pass through the wonderful village of Cajarc, and ride on to the stunning village that is St-Cirq-Lapopie. Appearing to defy gravity, the village hangs high over the River Lot. A village that will never be forgotten!

Continuing along the Lot Valley, cycle through classic Quercy villages and beautiful countryside to the département's capital, Cahors. You will have time to explore Cahors and discover many of its delights, of which there are many. Your final day's cycling takes you out of the Lot Valley and back into the Bouriane and your final destination of Gourdon. Many lovely villages adorn the route and it's a wonderful ride to finish your tour.