Dordogne Bike Tour Itinerary

 

After your guides greet you at the Bergerac train station, it’ll be a short drive into the countryside to your first hotel. Rouse your palate with the region’s finest sparkling wine as we toast your arrival at La Chatreuse de Bignac. After a bike fitting, safety talk and map review, we’ll spin near the Dordogne River on a loop ride through the vineyards. Your taste buds are in for a treat today as we head towards the lesser known sweet wine region of Monbazillac and the red producing region around the city of Bergerac. The vines around Bergerac were the original “Bordeaux” wines before access to the port of Bordeaux was blocked to help develop the famous wines we know today. We’ll stop and visit one of the best producers of Monbazillac and get to know what differentiates them from the famous Sauternes region located downriver. We will enjoy a light lunch along the way and create wine and food and pairing of our own.   Back at the hotel, relax by the pool or take in the fabulous terrace views of the neighboring vineyards. For this evening’s dinner we have a warm invitation to the hotel's elegant restaurant where our hosts will treat us to a savory feast with herbs, vegetables and other fresh seasonal fare. Bon appétit!

 

Meals: Light lunch / Dinner

Destinations visited: Bergerac, Monbazillac, St Nexans

Distance cycled: 25 kms / 16 miles

 

Today we immerse ourselves in the depths of the Perigord.  Nature awaits you. You will cycle through the rolling hills following along the Dordogne as we leave the vineyards behind. Your ride will consist of passing small charming villages and stopping to admire the manor houses and chateaux that are scattered all over this region. Stop for lunch in Le Buisson de Cadouin, with its many cute café lunch options in the small center. We continue east to the charming town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. Again we follow the river banks past orchards of walnut trees and famous chateaux’s, including Josephine Baker’s home, the Château des Milandes. We will visit this American star’s home and museum before crossing the Dordogne into Sarlat la Caneda.  Sarlat is one of the most famous towns for medieval art and history in France and has the highest number of listed buildings per square meter in Europe.  Tonight you’ll stay in the heart of the town at the hotel Clos La Boëtie, a manor from the 19th century.   For the evening’s meal we have selected a local favorite known for its quality, regional cuisine.

 

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Destinations visited: Le Buisson de Cadouin,  Castelnaud la Chapelle, Sarlat la Canéda 

Distance cycled: 69 kms / 43 miles

 

Att breakfast seasonal fruits and homemade pastries will be laid out for you to start your day. Today you’ll delve into the rich history of the Dordgone region as you ride through the Forêt Dominale Barade. As you cycle through over the lush countryside you’ll be able to contemplate the rich pre-history of the region. We’ll stop for another gourmet picnic lunch en route to your visit to the Font-de-Gaume cave in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac. Here you’ll get to enjoy cave paintings dating from 15,000 B.C. left by Cro-Magnon people. On your way back to Sarlat, passing though the countryside, you’ll see many different agricultural and culinary specialties from the region – walnut trees, ducks, and geese – which produce famed walnut oil and delicious foie gras.   Tonight you are on your own to decide which of the bustling bistros will ease your healthy appetite tonight.

 

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Destinations visited: Sarlat la Canéda, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, St Cyprien

Distance cycled: 54 kms / 31 miles

 

If truffles and other Perigord treats are what you’re after then feel free to spend a few hours exploring the market in the former Eglise Sainte Marie before we shuttle down to Vitrac for another unique view of the Dordogne River, by kayak! You’ll descend the river following its steady but calm current passing by beautiful villages built into the hillsides, privately owned chateaux scattered throughout the hills and endless forests. The wild nature of this region cannot go unnoticed as we dip our feet in the cool waters at one of the many little beaches. After our paddle, we’ll make a stop in a nearby village for lunch. Next turn onto a rails-to-trails bike path for an afternoon spin towards our next hotel. This shaded path will lead us by scenic villages and through beautiful terrain past a magnificent viaduct. Arriving at our hotel, Château de la Treyne, we’ll relax in style along the banks of the Dordogne river.

 

Meal: Breakfast / Dinner

Destinations visited: Beynac-et-Cazenac, Carsac-Aillac, Cazoulès, Souillac

Distance cycled: 45 kms / 28 miles

 

Today you’ll ride in the steps of pilgrims from every country, among them kings, bishops, and nobles, that trekked here over hundreds of years to visit the historical monuments and the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary that are found in Rocamadour. Arriving at the base of this incredible ‘hanging village’ you’ll be amazed by the vertiginous landscape; this is a place like no other. The village is essentially just one paved street, lined with medieval houses, several of which are notable and many of which are impressive, and passing through stone fortified gateways - the Porte du Figuier and the Porte Salmon which are the two main gateways. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in a special setting where your guides will teach all about how to best savor the specialty goat cheese that is named after the town. It is a very young goats’ cheese of just 35g that can be eaten after just 12-15 days of ageing, but gets more intense after a few months. Once we’ve enjoyed a visit of this amazing village, we’ll wind our way through the scenic countryside back to our riverside retreat. Tonight we dine in luxury at our hotel where the chef is in expert in using ingredients that express the regional terroir.

 

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Destinations visited:

Distance cycled: 45 kms / 28 miles

 

After one last visit of Sarlat la Canèda you’ll load up your purchases and hop in the van for a 1 hr drive back to the busy city of Brive la Gaillard. You’re guides will bid you farewell once they have helped you find your train with hopes to see you on another DuVine Adventure in the near future!

 

Meal: Breakfast

Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!

 

Trip total: 238 km/ 148 miles, averaging 48 kms/ 30 miles per day.

Optional longer rides available daily.