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The grand tour of the Périgord Noir in the Dordogne

Price per person

From 1090€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Sarlat, Souillac, Rocamadour - France

Duration

8 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 47

Your stay

On this cycling tour of the Dordogne, we’ll take you along back roads and greenways to discover some of the most beautiful sites in this region of France: the Périgord Noir.

Departing from Sarlat-la-Canéda, a magnificent medieval town nestled between the Dordogne and Vézère rivers, you’ll cycle through the Dordogne and Vézère valleys, discovering some of the most beautiful villages in France.
The program includes a short jaunt into the Lot via the banks of the Dordogne towards Rocamadour, a sacred town clinging to the cliff, before a visit to the Gardens of Eyrignac, lost in a more discreet part of the Périgord. You’ll then reach the Vézère valley at Montignac and the Lascaux caves. Follow the river to Les Eyzies de Tayac, world center of prehistory. You’ll then reach Limeuil and its panoramic gardens, Cadouin and its remarkable abbey, then the Dordogne, which will take you to the picturesque villages and castles of Castelneau, Beynac, La Roque-Gageac and finally the bastide town of Dommes.

This multi-faceted holiday will take you on a journey from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Each evening, you’ll have the chance to dine in the restaurant of your choice or at the hotel, and sample the many specialities of this region, certainly one of the most gourmet in the country!

You will be welcomed and accommodated each evening in 3* and/or 4* hotels.

You'll enjoy :

2 overnight stays in Sarlat-la-Canéda to discover this medieval town
Enjoy a loop to the exceptional site of Rocamadour
Recommended visit to the Lascaux cave (Lascaux II or Lascaux IV)
Picturesque villages and medieval castles in the Dordogne valley

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Sarlat

We’ll give you your road book, with details of your itinerary.

Sarlat, the pearl of the Périgord Noir region, has preserved the traces of its rich past over the centuries. Classified as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (Town of Art and History), it was founded in the 9th century around an imposing Benedictine abbey. Its reputation is based on the diversity and richness of its architectural heritage. You’ll be seduced by its winding streets, vaulted passageways, majestic cathedral and mansions dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The medieval city is also famous for boasting the highest number of listed historic monuments in the world in relation to its surface area.

Overnight in a 3* or 4* hotel in Sarlat.

Day 2 - Sarlat - Souillac

Take advantage of the morning to visit the medieval city of Sarlat, before setting off on this short, leisurely bike ride to Souillac.
You’ll leave Sarlat on a gentle greenway that runs along the Dordogne Valley, on an old railroad line, and takes you to Cazoulès, just a few kilometers from Souillac. This easy, safe route offers a varied landscape, in the shadow of cliffs, between forests, small villages on the banks of the Dordogne and the countryside.

Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel

Day 3 - Souillac loop - Rocamadour - Souillac

This day-long loop takes you to the small village of Lacave, on the banks of the Dordogne, before reaching the sacred city of Rocamadour.

The world-famous medieval town, clinging to the cliffside in an overlay of houses and chapels, dominates the Alziou canyon from a height of 120 metres!
A major pilgrimage site on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, Rocamadour is also famous for its Basilica of Saint-Sauveur and the Crypt of Saint-Amadour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Chapel of Notre-Dame, home to the Black Madonna.

Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel (same accommodation as the day before)

Day 4 - Souillac - Tamnies

Variant possible via Jardins d’Eyrignac.

Discover the authentic Périgord, far from the crowds of major tourist sites. Stop off at the Jardins d’Eyrignac, before discovering the village of Salignac, with its old Périgord houses built around a medieval castle; and further afield, the village of Saint-Géniès and its magnificent church with slate roofs.

Dinner, overnight stay and breakfast in a 3* sup hotel

Day 5 - Tamnies - Les Eyzies

A day in prehistoric times! Discover the village of Montignac, with the opportunity to visit the famous Lascaux cave. Here, Paleolithic man created a unique and accomplished work of art, composed of signs and animal representations. A masterpiece of prehistory, this
priceless treasure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then follow the Vézère valley, cradle of prehistory. Pass through the bucolic village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, then La Roque-Saint-Christophe.

Finally, you’ll arrive at Les Eyzies, the world capital of prehistory.

Night and breakfast in a 3* or 4* hotel

Day 6 - Les Eyzies - Siorac or Saint-Cyprien

Continue along the verdant Vézère valley to the village of Le Bugue, with its many attractions, including an ancient medieval craft village, then on to the village of Limeuil, at the confluence of the Vézère and Dordogne rivers, with its panoramic gardens.
Head south to Cadouin and its magnificent World Heritage-listed abbey. The Dordogne will then guide you to your stopover for the day, Saint-Cyprien, via Siorac-en-Périgord.

Dinner, overnight stay and breakfast in a 2 or 3* hotel in Siorac or 4* hotel in Saint-Cyprien.

Day 7 - Siorac or Saint-Cyprien - Sarlat

Immerse yourself in the heart of Périgord Noir and discover the valley’s finest châteaux. Les Milandes, Castelnaud and Beynac open their doors to you! Pedal along the Dordogne and discover medieval villages. Situated at the foot of a cliff, La Roque Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France, will amaze you with its picturesque character.

You’ll finish your cycling tour in the gastronomic capital of Périgord Noir, where you’ll enjoy regional cuisine including foie gras, truffles and duck…

Night and breakfast in a 3* or 4* hotel

Day 8 - Departure

Departure after breakfast.

rates

Price per person

	Comfort version	Superior version
8 days – 7 nights	1090 €	1495 €

Price includes

7 nights with breakfast (in double/twin room) in 3* or 4* hotels, depending on version
2 dinners
Road book (with map and directions)
GPS application on smartphone
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Supplement

VTC bike rental: €185
Electric bike rental: €315

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A touring bike adapted to the ride and the route

An electric bike adapted to the route

With equipment :

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 helmet (on request)
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

A child’s bike
A baby seat
A trailer
A follower bike

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is offered in “comfort” or “superior” category.

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: