Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

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8 Days From

$1890

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Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable cycling adventure through the picturesque landscapes of southwest France with the "Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike" tour. Starting and ending in the charming town of Souillac, this self-guided journey takes you through historic towns like Sarlat and Les Eyzies, along deep river valleys, and across high plateaus. Enjoy the freedom to choose your daily routes, whether it's a leisurely ride along the Dordogne River or a more challenging hillier path. Discover medieval castles, prehistoric caves, and quaint villages, all while indulging in the region's culinary delights. With comfortable accommodations in 2-3 star hotels and a comprehensive digital information pack, this tour offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Cycling in the southwest of France

  • Discovering Souillac, Sarlat and Les Eyzies

  • Exploring the deep river valleys and the high plateau

  • Enjoying the local culinary delights

  • Visiting the Chateau de Beynac and Castelnaud

  • Cycling to Montignac with an optional canoe trip

  • Visiting the famous caves of Lascaux

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Souillac

Location: Souillac

Accommodation Name: hotel

Arrive in the bustling old town of Souillac, strategically placed since pre-Roman times astride the river Dordogne, and easily reached by rail or autoroute from Paris via Brive. Time to explore the old quarter and magnificent 11th century Romanesque church..

Day 2 : Choice Of Two Cycle Routes To Sarlat (35 Or 37Km/21.5 Or 23Mi)

Location: Sarlat

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today you have a choice of two cycle routes to Sarlat. The longer route goes beside the Dordogne river mainly along a cyclable piste visiting Chateau Fenelon and the pretty village of Carsac. The shorter route is hillier and slightly more challenging.

Day 3 : Optional Circular Cycles To Domme And Le Roque-Gageac (33 Or 38Km/20.5 Or 23.5Mi)

Location: Sarlat-la-Canéda

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you can choose to take a rest day and explore and shop in Sarlat. Alternatively, you can do a loop cycle out to visit the bastide town of Domme and the spectacular village of La Roque Gageac that is tucked beneath the cliffs alongside the Dordogne river. Overnight Sarlat. Dinner is not included tonight so you are free to sample the local restaurants.

Day 4 : Visit The Chateau De Beynac En Route To Les Eyzies (48Km/30Mi)

Location: Les Eyzies

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Cycle today across rolling country to visit the Château of Beynac before arriving at Castelnaud, dominated by its own 12C Château. The nearby Château les Milandes can also be visited before you arrive in the delightful old town of St Cyprien. From here you leave the Dordogne river to arrive in the Vézère valley and the cliffs of Les Eyzies, renowned world-wide as the centre of prehistory. Overnight in Les Eyzies

Day 5 : Optional Cycle To Troglodyte Cave And Onto The Tomb Of Cro-Magnon Man (29Km/18Mi)

Location: Les Eyzies

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you can choose to have a rest day in Les Eyzies. Alternatively, you have the option to cycle a 29km route where you will pass by troglodyte caves, the Chateau de Commarque with its prehistoric caves beneath, a roman chapel and knights tower, and nobles houses recently discovered after 350 years covered by vegetation which are all carved into the cliff. Continue to the tomb of Cro-Magnon man which was discovered by rail workers in the 1800's. You can also view prehistoric art (15000 years old) in the only original site in the region still open to the public. Tonight you have a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

Day 6 : Cycle To Montignac With An Optional Canoe Trip (24 Or 30Km/15 Or 18.5Mi)

Location: Montignac

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

There is a choice of two routes to Montignac. The shorter option enables a stop at the prehistoric caves at Castel Merle. The longer ride passes along the Vézère valley beneath the towering cliffs of la Roque St Christophe, a remarkable troglodytic site inhabited from prehistoric times until the 18th Century. Continue via the Romanesque church of St Leon sur Vézère to Montignac, where you stay tonight.

Day 7 : Cycle To The Famous Caves Of Lascaux, Then To Souillac (48 Or 55Km/30 Or 34Mi)

Location: Lascaux

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today it is possible to visit the cave paintings at Lascaux. The ride to the caves is slightly longer, but also includes lots of downhill sections. Return to Souillac past the golden limestone village of St Geniès, and the 13th century convent of Salignac. The lovely 18th century Italianate gardens of Eyrignac can also be visited.

Day 8 : Trip Concludes

Location: Souillac

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip concludes in Souillac after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    7 nights in 2-3 star hotels

  • 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners

    Enjoy 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners included in your tour package.

  • 7 nights accommodation in 2-3 star hotels on a twin share basis

    Stay in comfortable 2-3 star hotels for 7 nights on a twin share basis.

  • Bicycle hire - 24 speed with luggage rack, 2 rear panniers, handlebar bag with map holder, bottle holder, repair kit. (E-bike available on request - supplement applies)

    Bicycle hire includes a 24-speed bike with luggage rack, 2 rear panniers, handlebar bag with map holder, bottle holder, and repair kit. E-bike available on request with a supplement.

  • Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess

    Luggage transfer service for one piece of luggage up to 20kg. Supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • Digital information pack including route notes & maps, GPX data

    Receive a digital information pack with route notes, maps, and GPX data.

  • Emergency hotline

    Access to an emergency hotline for assistance during your trip.

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Souillac

    Travel to and from Souillac is not included.

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

    Meals not listed as included and drinks are not covered.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is mandatory.

  • Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday

    A tour guide is not included as this is a self-guided cycling holiday.

  • Single supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room

    A single supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.

  • Excess luggage

    Excess luggage beyond the included allowance is not covered.

  • Helmet rental - bring your own, or you can rent locally from the bike shop, pre-order

    Helmet rental is not included. Please bring your own or rent locally from the bike shop.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls are not included.

  • Dinners not noted as included, all lunches & beverages

    Dinners not noted as included, all lunches, and beverages are not covered.

  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip

    Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip is not included.

  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls

    Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls are not covered.

Grading

GRADE 3 - A reasonable standard of fitness is required. Daily stages of between 29 to 55km (18 to 34mi) per day. Hilly terrain with ascents and descents up to 300m/1000 feet. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. Minor roads with reduced traffic are customary on this trip and we recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in order to participate. ...more ...less

What You Carry

During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

Mode of Transport

Travel to and from Souillac is included, with bicycle hire provided for the duration of the tour. Luggage transfer is also available, ensuring a hassle-free cycling experience.

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights of comfortable accommodation in 2-3 star hotels on a twin share basis, providing a cozy and relaxing stay after your daily cycling adventures.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation in 2-3 star hotels on a twin share basis.

  • Is bicycle hire included in the tour package?

    Yes, bicycle hire is included. You will get a 24-speed bike with a luggage rack, 2 rear panniers, a handlebar bag with a map holder, a bottle holder, and a repair kit. E-bikes are available on request for an additional supplement.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour package includes 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners. Meals not listed as included and drinks are not covered.

  • Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfer is provided with a maximum of 1 piece weighing up to 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • What should I carry during the cycling day?

    During the cycling day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

  • Is there an emergency support system in place?

    Yes, there is an emergency hotline available during the tour.

  • Is this a guided tour?

    No, this is a self-guided cycling holiday. A digital information pack including route notes, maps, and GPX data will be provided.

  • What is the difficulty level of the tour?

    The tour is graded as moderate (grade 3). A reasonable standard of fitness is required, with daily stages ranging from 29 to 55km (18 to 34mi) per day. The terrain is hilly with ascents and descents up to 300m/1000 feet.

  • What are the optional activities available during the tour?

    Optional activities include circular cycles to Domme and Le Roque-Gageac, a visit to the troglodyte caves and the tomb of Cro-Magnon Man, and a canoe trip to Montignac.

  • What are the main attractions visited during the tour?

    The main attractions include the old town of Souillac, Chateau Fenelon, the village of Carsac, the bastide town of Domme, La Roque Gageac, Chateau de Beynac, Chateau les Milandes, the cliffs of Les Eyzies, the prehistoric caves at Castel Merle, the cave paintings at Lascaux, and the 18th-century Italianate gardens of Eyrignac.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

C. Olsen(Mt Maunganui, New Zealand)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

18 Jul 2023

Pleasant biking. Good trip notes even without maps. Great meals on half board and accommodation too.

K. Simpson(United Kingdom)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

22 Sep 2022

The trip was very well organised. The bike routes were well planned and flexible enough for us to really explore the area. All the route instructions were clear to follow and the additional ideas for activities was very helpful. The hotels were lovely, the food was fabulous and we had a great holiday. ...more ...less

H. Parker(Acton, MA, USA)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

19 Jun 2022

This trip was extraordinary! The Dordogne was absolutely beautiful, and anyone who is interested in history will love it. Prehistoric sites are abundant here. We'd readily do this trip again!

T. Unger(Turramurra, Australia)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

10 Aug 2023

The entire cycling holiday organised was fantastic. Wonderful hotels, very detailed and helpful route maps and track notes, along with suggestions. We would love to do this trip all over again!

J. Veron(Sydney, Australia)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

29 Jun 2022

Wonderful week cycling. Bikes were excellent.

J. Nicol(Kelowna, Canada)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

11 Oct 2022

The team was exceptionally responsive to any of our inquiries! I recommend this particular route and the company! Food and accommodation were great!

Ferne-Marie Pardey(Palm Beach, NSW, Australia)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

20 Sep 2022

Our group of four enjoyed our self guided ride through the gorgeous countryside of the Dordogne, visiting fairytale castles and pretty villages and historic towns. The hotels were very good and the food in this region was excellent. We chose e- bikes which really helped for those big hills leading into Domme & out of Le Roc de Gagneau. Most of the riding is in the countryside on roads with little traffic. The one exception was Sarlat where roads leading in and out are very busy. It’s good to have 2 circuit ride days where you don’t need to ride and can explore Sarlat or the caves around Les Eysies or rest up. We had a problem with one of the batteries on the 2nd day but by telephoning we were able to get advice & fix it. ...more ...less

C. Everley(Dorset, United Kingdom)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

16 Aug 2022

The scenery great and fascinating visits to caves and river swimming all perfect. Should advise not to be in Les Eyzies on Saturday, as caves are closed. Nor in Sarlat on Thurs night (July/August) if you don’t like all-night markets. Hotels Cro-Magnon in Les Eyzies, and Le Lascaux in Montignac marvellous, characterful and made every effort to a comic extent. Bikes and luggage transport hitchless. ...more ...less

M. Scott(Christchurch, New Zealand)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

26 Jul 2023

The weather was very hot while we were on our trip but because most of the riding was through patches of forest providing shade we did not suffer from the heat. We were pleased we had e-bikes. The food in the various hotels was very good. The route notes, particularly in the country parts, were very good. Sights along the route were well pointed out. ...more ...less

A. Tindall(Takapuna, New Zealand)  

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

4 Oct 2023

A gorgeous part of France to cycle. Instructions could have been clearer but we realise that is part of the challenge of self guided trips. Appreciated the large topographical maps. Great accommodation and comfortable bikes.

Read all 11 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Highlights of the Dordogne by Bike

8 Days Starting and ending in Souillac, France

Visiting: Souillac, Sarlat, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Les Eyzies, Montignac, Lascaux

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

CDD

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing, Walking

From: $1890 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

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