Tour Highlights
- See the best of two distinct regions in Southwest France as you ride through the changing landscape from Dordogne into Bordeaux
- Visit the Lascaux cave complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site with remarkable Cro-Magnon cave paintings
- Stay at the Vieux Logis Relais & Châteaux hotel and enjoy a cutting-edge take on Dordogne cuisine at their Michelin-starred restaurant
- At top vineyards and in subterranean cellars, compare wines from AOC appellations in Monbazillac, Dordogne and Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Eat
Foie gras, Périgord truffles, walnuts, Rocamadour cheese, duck, and lamb
Drink
Dark, full-bodied reds and fruity, dry whites of the Bergerac region; sweet dessert wines from Monbazillac; well-rounded and fruity Merlot blends in Saint-Émilion
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Welcome to the Dordogne
Meet your guides at the Sarlat train station and begin with a bike fitting and safety briefing before our first ride. We’ll warm up along the Dordogne River, following undulating roads through this serene, densely forested region. Get to know one another during our first lunch—a picnic on a family-run farm that specializes in truffles. There, we’ll meet the owner and Olympe, the truffle dog, and uncover the secrets of Périgord’s prized black diamonds. Afterward, it’s a short ride to our historic hotel in the center of Sarlat. There’s time to explore this storybook town before dinner at a charming local restaurant.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Carsac, Groléjac, Vitrac, Sarlat
Accomplished: 19 miles / 31 km, elevation gain: 1,738 feet/ 530 meters
Accommodations: Plaza Madeleine - Day 2
Walnuts and Cave Paintings
This morning’s ride begins with a few challenging climbs that lead into the Domainale Barade forest, a peaceful stretch of shady walnut trees and poetic countryside. Our first stop is a family-run mill, where we’ll delve into the centuries-old techniques used to produce walnut oil. Back on the bikes, follow the Vézère River to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère—quite possibly the most idyllic town in all of France. Taste the region’s famed foie gras at lunch, then continue riding to Lascaux, a remarkable cave complex featuring Cro-Magnon paintings dating back over 17,000 years, though only discovered in 1940. Emerge back into daylight and complete the ride to our next hotel, or opt for a lift in the van. This evening we’ll enjoy a special dinner at our hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, featuring inventive, seasonal dishes that celebrate Périgord’s most refined local ingredients.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Sarlat-la-Canéda, Montignac, Saint-Lon-sur-Vézère, Les Eyezies, Trémolat
Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 2,559 feet / 718 meters
Longer Option: 42 miles / 68 km, elevation gain: 3,382 feet / 1,031 meters
Accommodations: Le Vieux Logis - Day 3
Along the Dordogne
After breakfast, set off on a picturesque ride through the green scenery of Périgord—a route dotted with charming townhouses reflected in the gently flowing Dordogne river. Our next stop is Cadouin, a medieval village known for its UNESCO World Heritage abbey that has become a stop for pilgrims on the Saint Jacques de Compostelle route. After a leisurely lunch, embark on a relaxed ride back to our hotel. This afternoon, there’s time to stroll through the property’s lush gardens or take a dip in the limestone pool. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a very special dinner at our hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, featuring inventive local dishes that celebrate the region’s seasonal ingredients.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Trémolat, Cadouin
Accomplished: 23 miles/ 37 km, elevation gain: 1,880 feet / 573 meters
Accommodations: Le Vieux Logis - Day 4
Wine Versus Wine
Monbazillac’s sweet white wines are the perfect bridge between the Dordogne and our foray into Bordeaux. Heading west along the Canal de Lalinde, our leisurely route soon reveals the otherworldly vineyards of Monbazillac. A final climb brings us to Château de Monbazillac, where a first taste of wine awaits—and trust us when we say it poses some serious competition to Bordeaux’s Sauternes. After lunch, a scenic, hour-long transfer carries us into the heart of Bordeaux. We waste no time in this essential winegrowing region, heading straight for Saint-Émilion to meet our friend and wine merchant, Benoit. In his underground caveau, we’ll sip the wine that has earned Bordeaux its world renown, then set off for dinner on your own in this quaint cobblestone town.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Lalinde, Saint-Capraise-de-Lalinde, Monbazillac
Accomplished: 28 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 1,515 feet / 462 meters
Accommodations: Château-Hôtel Grand Barrail - Day 5
Pomerol and Saint-Émilion
Today is all about the world-famous vineyards of Bordeaux. Begin cycling past some of the most prestigious estates in Pomerol and Saint-Émilion: Cheval Blanc, Beau-Séjour Bécot, Pressac, Petrus, and Angélus, to name a few. During a wine tasting at Beau-Séjour Bécot, we’ll dip our toe into some right-bank reds from the Saint-Émilion appellation, then hop back in the saddle. The final stretch to our hotel is short and flat, leaving plenty of time to relax and unwind at the spa. This evening, a special table is set to celebrate our last night with a dinner of creative, locally sourced cuisine at the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Pomerol, Bertin, Montagne, Saint-Émilion
Accomplished: 21 miles / 34 km, elevation gain: 1,158 feet / 353 meters
Accommodations: Château-Hôtel Grand Barrail - Day 6
One Last Loop
Take the morning to enjoy a late breakfast, wake at sunrise to swim laps, or seize the opportunity for a final spin through Bordeaux’s sleepy villages and swaying sea of vines. However you choose to spend the last precious moments of your trip, we’ll bring you to the Libourne train station and see you off to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Sainte-Colombe, Libourne
Accomplished: 14 miles / 22 km, elevation gain: 534 feet / 163 meters
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Paris or Brive-Souillac, France Pick-Up Location: Sarlat train station Pick-Up Time: 10:30 am
Departure Details
Airport City: Paris or Bordeaux, France Drop-Off Location: Libourne train station Drop-Off Time: 12:00 pm
Arrival and departure details for alternate itineraries and future year departures may be subject to change.
Dates + Availability
- DatesPriceSpecial Events
- Apr 19 – 24$5,995
- May 10 – 15$5,995
- May 17 – 22$5,995
- May 24 – 29$6,095
- May 31 – Jun 5$6,095
- Jun 7 – 12$6,095
- Jun 14 – 19$5,995
- Jun 21 – 26$5,995
- Jul 5 – 10$5,995
- Jul 12 – 17$5,995
- Aug 16 – 21$5,995
- Aug 23 – 28$5,995
- Aug 30 – Sep 4$6,095
- Sep 6 – 11$6,095
- Sep 13 – 18$6,095
- Sep 20 – 25$6,095Reserved by a private group
- Sep 27 – Oct 2$6,095
- Oct 4 – 9$5,995
- Oct 11 – 16$5,995
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
