Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in France: Tour Facts Sheet The Dordogne River valley in Western France is one of the Country's longest and most scenic. For 500 km, the Dordogne cuts through layers of limestone plateau and meanders from the woody hills of the Massif Central through the heartland of prehistoric human settlements in Europe. Our bike tour of the Dordogne takes you on some of the nicest cycling routes in Europe, with breathtaking views of medieval castles topping the hills at every bend in the river. This is one of our all-time favorite bicycle tours. Highlights Price Includes Countries Begin/End Arrive/Depart Total Distance Daily Distance What to Expect Rating Terms Rocamadour, Sarlat, Perigord, Font de Gaume, Les Eyzies and the Vezere Valley, Proumeyssac Cave, Montfort Castle, La Roque Gageac, Belves. March, April, October: 1560 May, June: 1620 July, August, September: 1660 Single supplement: 370 ( 30 discount in March, April and October) Solo travelers: March, April, October: 2260 May, June: 2300 July, August, September: 2350 8 days, 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners; use of a quality hybrid bicycle (other types of bikes available for an additional fee); detailed route descriptions with cultural information; use of a GPS device (one per 2/3 people); luggage transfers, transfer at the beginning of the tour France Tremolat / Belves Paris: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORY) / Bordeaux- Méringnac Airport (BOD) 267 km (166 miles) 23-56 km (14-35 miles) Hilly terrain with some short steep climbs from the valley to perched castles and villages. 2 View Tour Rating Descriptions Terms & Conditions Visit our website for tour dates, price and full itinerary description at Cycleeurope.com. Do you need more information? Read our Self- Guided Tour FAQ Sheet here.
Tour Dates: The tour can depart every day from early April to mid-october. Contact us to book a tour out of season. Your Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Tremolat Highlights: Charming hotel, Orientation and bike fitting. Arrive in Bergerac, we'll transfer you to the beginning of the tour. Settle in your charming hotel. You can either relax by the pool or walk around the park before your orientation. Our local guide will meet you at your hotel in the evening of your arrival day for briefing & bike fitting. Enjoy dinner at your hotel. Day 2: Bicycle to Les Eyzies Highlights: Proumeyssac Cave, Les Eyzies. Your ride today will take you to Les Eyzies, capital of prehistory, where Cro Magnon was discovered. Starting out easy you come to Audrix a small village by small roads, then down to Le Bugue. Continue on to Gouffre de Proumeyssac, also known as the "Cathedral of Crystal", currently the largest developed cave in the Périgord. Arrive to Les Eyzies and take time to visit this town and its sites and museums. Dinner is included tonight. Hotel la Metairie Mileage: 45 km (28 miles) Hostellerie du Passeur Day 3: Loop ride into the Vezère Valley Highlights: Prehistoric cave paintings Font de Gaume, Lascaux II Les Eyzies is surrounded by pre-historic caves, paintings and other remnants from this fascinating era. Here is an opportunity to visit either the famous Caves of Font de Gaume or Lascaux II. To get a good visit in, in both cases you should depart early. Pass through St Leon sur Vezère, guarded by its two chateaux and La Roque St Christophe, a majestic refuge made up of approximately 100 shelters. Return to Les Eyzies in time for a great dinner at your hotel. Mileage: 53 km (33 miles) Hostellerie du Passeur
Day 4: Bicycle to Sarlat Highlights: Sarlat, Chateau of Commarque. Since it's a short ride today, you'll have a second chance to visit Font de Gaume or get early to your destination Sarlat. This town with its cobbled streets, old roofs, and warm stone walls give an exceptional heritage. Sarlat is a medieval town that developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. The medieval Sarlat Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos. Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the most representative towns of 14th century France. A bustling market in Sarlat takes place on Saturday and Wednesday. You can decide to ride a longer distance (with more elevation) with a longer option that goes by the Chateau of Commarque. Mileage options: 23-29 km (14-18 miles) Hotel la Couleuvrine Day 5: Bicycle to Rocamadour Highlights: Lacave, The medieval village of Rocamadour You'll ride today by the Dordogne river to reach Souillac, a nice village for a lunch break. Then continue your ride, passing by Lacave and then reach the breathtaking village of Rocamadour, which clings to a cliff face overlooking the Ouysse valley. This important pilgrimage site laid dormant until the preserved remains of St. Amadour were discovered in the village chapel. Now it has become an emblem of the Dordogne region as people enjoy its rich architecture and medieval atmosphere. Mileage: 56 km (35 miles) Hotel les Esclargies Day 6: Bicycle to Carsac Aillac Highlights: Chateau de Montfort, Carsac Aillac Mileage: 46 km (29 miles) Take your time today to ride along the Dordogne River for a quiet countryside ride. Your destination is Vitrac or Carsac, small villages in the Black Perigord. Vitrac is known for its Chateau and water sports. In Carsac you can visit "Les Jardins d'eau" a 2ha garden dedicated to exotic plants, especially waterlilies and lotus. Hotel la Villa Romaine
Day 7: Ride to Belves Highlights: La Roque Gageac, Belves You will ride through some very scenic villages such as la Roque Gageac and Castelnaud la Chapelle. La Roque Gageac has the title of being 'one of the most beautiful villages' of France! Built at the foot of a cliff, right along the river, do not miss its Exotic gardens and the troglodyte fort. The cliff dwellings that tower above the houses served as protection during the Wars of Religion. Several famous castles are on your itinerary as well, such as the Chateau des Milandes, former home of Josephine Baker, and the Chateau de Castelnaud la Chapelle, an impressive fortified castle overlooking the Dordogne valley. Reach Belvès, your last destination. This medieval town boasts seven belltowers. Mileage: 38 km (24 miles) Hotel Clement V Day 8: Your bicycle tour ends in Belves Highlights: Belves Today is departure day, take some time getting started in the morning, have breakfast and depart at your leisure from Belves. NOTE: This hotel itinerary is subjected to changes according to availability. City taxes are not included. LODGING UPGRADE: Room upgrades are possible in some hotels. Ask for availability.
GTA: How to get there and away Starting point: Hotel la Metairie, Lieu dit Millac - 24150 Mauzac et Grand Castang. From Paris you need to take a train to Lalinde and then a taxi to Trémolat. Or you can call the Hotel to get a lift from Bergerac to your hotel in Tremolat. Ending point: Hotel Celement V, 15 Rue Jacques Manchotte, 24170 Belvès. We advise you to leave Belves by taking a taxi to Buisson Cadouin and then take the train in this village. Once you book the tour we will send you detailed information and different options on how to get to the starting point and away from the ending point of the tour. Private transfers are available at additional costs. Luggage Transfers Luggage transfer is included in your package. Normally, the luggage is collected from 09.00 at the reception of the hotel and is delivered at the following hotel by 16.30. Every luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. Please make sure yours have correct tags. If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may need to have to pay directly a local taxi for the service. Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage. Normally you cannot use the luggage transport service to skip the stage. In case you need help to skip the stage, please contact our emergency number. Services available at an additional cost (ask for prices and availability) Road bikes and E-bikes available for an extra fee of 105 per bike.
Hybrids SCOTT Sportster X50 Frame: Evo/Aero 07 hydroformed alloy tubing w Evo D/O 700C Fork: Suntour NEX 4610 LO, Lockout Susp.fork 1 1/8, 50mm travel, Integr. 700C Headset: Ritchey OE Logic Zero, semi integ Chain ring & crank arms: Shimano FC-M 443, 48x36x26T, w CG Cassette: Shimano HG-50-9, 11-32T Brakes: Scott Comp SCL Stem: Saddle: Seat post: Rims/Spokes: Tires: Weight: Scott X-Rod OS 31.6mm, 580mm, 5 bend Rocket Stem OS 31.6, 4 bolt, Eco Scott, 40mm adjustable NVO Scott Sportster Scott Comp 26.8mm Alex G 6000 700C,32H cnc / 2mm ss spks Continental Double Fighter 2 700x37C 12,75 kg / 28.08 lbs Our SCOTT Sportster comes with : Helmet Computer Pump 1 new bottle Lock 1 Handlebar bag with rain cover Tire levers, Spare tube, Patch kit, Multi-tool, 1 Rear pannier, with a rain protection. Both bags are easy to use and carry Pedals are included, flat by default or toe straps on request
SCOTT P4 Sportster Specifications: Frame: Evo/Aero 07 hydroformed alloy tubing w Evo D/O 700C Fork: Suntour NEX 4610 LO, Lockout Susp.fork 1 1/8, 50mm travel, Integr. 700C Headset: Ritchey OE Logic Zero, semi integ Chain ring & crank: Shimano FC-M 443, 48x36x26T, w CG Cassette: Shimano HG-50-9, 11-32T Brakes: Scott Comp SCL Scott X-Rod OS 31.6mm, 580mm, 5 bend Rocket Stem OS 31.6, 4 bolt, Eco Stem: Scott, 40mm adjustable NVO Saddle: Scott Sportster Seat post: Scott Comp 26.8mm Rims/Spokes: Alex G 6000 700C,32H cnc / 2mm ss spks Tires: Continental Double Fighter 2 700x37C Weight: 12,75 kg / 28.08 lbs Each SCOTT Sportster P4 rented with us comes with: helmet, computer, pump, 1 bottle cage and new bottle, handlebar bag (containing tire levers, spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool, locks, rain protection) and a rear pack (with a rain protection). Both bags are easy to use and carry. Pedals are included (flat by default or toe straps on request). NOTE: We don't provide clipless pedals as there are different kinds, so you'll have to bring your own pedals with you and we'll mount them on your rented bike
Scott Solace 30 Road Bike (available for an additional fee of 105) Specifications: Frame Fork Headset Solace Carbon / IMP technology / HMF Solace HMF /1 1/8" Carbon steerer /Alloy Dropout Ritchey PRO Int. Cartridge Chainring & crank arms Shimano 105 compact; 50/34 Cassette Shimano TIAGRA CS-4600 ; 11/30 Brakes Shimano 105 BR-5700 / Tektro 740 rear / Super SLR Dual pivot / direct mount rear Seat post Wheelset Tires Syncros Carbon FL1.2 27.2/350 mm Shimano WH RS11-A Schwalbe Durano S FOLD 700 x 25 C or equivalent
Included with road bike rental:
Scott E-Venture 30 (available for an additional fee of 105) Specifications: Frame and fork Fork Headset Crank arms Cassette Brakes H Stem Saddle Seat post Rims Tires Weight e.venture 6061 alloy for rigid fork, double butted w Evo D/O 700C Scott Venture alloy, 700C, disc only Ritchey OE Logic Zero, semi integ FSA Metropolis for e.bike Shimano XT, RD-M772 SGS, Shadow Type, 9 Speed Shimano BR-M446, w/sm-rt53 center lock 160mm rotors Scott Comp 31.8mm Scott SUB SC-19 Scott Comp, 31.6mm Alex SUB 700C, 32H, for disc Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, 700 x 42c 20.90 kg / 46.04 lbs
Gitane Play Tandem Specifications: Frame : Aluminium 28" Transmission : SHIMANO Alivio 27 speed Fork : SUNTOUR NEX 700MLO, 63 mm Crankset : SHIMANO 48 x 38 x 28 Hubs : JOYTECH Tires : SPECTRA Asphalt 700 x 40 Rear derailleur : SHIMANO Alivio 9 speed Front derailleur : SHIMANO Altus FD-M310 Cassette : SHIMANO CS-HG50 11 x 32 Shifters : SHIMANO Alivio 27 speed Saddle : Sport Edition Seatpost : LEE-CHI 27.2 mm, 300 mm Handlebar : Sport Edition 31.8 mm, 560 mm Stem : Sport Edition 31.8 mm adjustable Brakes : SHIMANO M335 hydraulic discs 180 mm Pedals : aluminium, resin Sizes : 48 / 40 Weight : 19,90 kg
Cannondale Tandem 29ER Specifications: Frame: Tandem 29, SmartFormed 6061 Alloy, 1.5 head tube, BB30 Fork: Cannondale Fatty Tandem 29, OPI, 1.5"steerer Headset: Tange Custom 1.5" Crank : Truvativ Firex Tandem, 44/33/22, 38t timing Bottom Bracket: SRAM GXP w/ Eccentric Shifters: Shimano SLX Stem: Cannondale C3 1.5", 3-D forged, 5 deg. / Control Tech extender stoker Cog Set: Shimano CS-HG81, 11-36, 10-speed Chain: KMC Z72 drive / X10 timing Front Derailleur: SRAM X7, 31.8 clamp Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus Rims : DT Swiss Tandem, 40-hole Hubs: DT Swiss Tandem Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance, 29x2.1", folding, tubeless ready Pedals: Cannondale Reinforced Composite Handlebar: Cannondale C3, 6061 alloy, 700x15mm rise, front and rear Brake levers: Magura MT5 hydraulic disc Brakes: Magura MT5 hydraulic disc, 203/203mm Spokes: DT Swiss Tandem Grips: Cannondale Locking Grips Saddle: Cannondale Ergo Performance Seat Post: Cannondale Ergo Performance