Cycling Tour From Bordeaux to Cahors. Garonne and Lot Valleys
Pricing informations
Tour description
Cycling from Bordeaux to Cahors via the Garonne valley
An ideal Cycling tour for lovers of nature, gastronomy, wine and culture, between Bordeaux and Cahors. This bike tour along the Canal de Garonne and the Lot Valley.
First, the Canal de Garonne, classified World Heritage by Unesco, alternating bike paths and really small roads with flat reliefs. You will discover an exceptional natural setting that will fill you with the diversity of its landscapes. The countryside is rich and lush, full of orchards and corn fields, and not too challenging for most levels of cycling; there is also little in the way of large-scale urban development. You’ll find endless stacks of colourful corn cobs and plenty of fruit and nut growing, including sumptuous looking figs. The overall effect is like cycling though one limitless, beautifully tended, garden.
Then the Lot Valley winding between vineyards and orchards. Cycling aliong this river will make you discover the most unusual feature of the area is the multitude of fortified bastide towns. You will found here partly because in medieval times it was the front line between English-held Aquitaine and Capetian France. Both sides built these strongholds, walled communities where the first brave residents willing to construct and defend these places were granted perks such as a building plot and growing land.
This Bordeaux Cahors cycling tour will lead you across the Quercy, to Cahors. One night in this medieval town with its the old center, mysterious and captivating. Up to you to stay one more night in Cahors, in front of the famous “Pont de Valentré”, to get time to reach Saint-Cirq Lapopie, fascinating village on the Lot river bank. This cycling tour is perfect for couple, or family! the quintessential place to discover France by bike! Come as you are!
You will be welcomed in hotels *** or charming guests houses. To be more confortable during your cycling tours, we can Bike hire or an E-bike as you prefer!
- The hilly landscapes of Entre-Deux-Mers with pretty medieval city
- The greenway along the Garonne canal punctuated with charming locks
- The gentle Lot valley bordered by orchards, vineyards (cahors) and picturesque villages
- The medieval towns of Puy-l’Evêque and St-Cirq Lapopie overlooking the Lot river
- The famous Pont Valentré, gateway to Cahors
Program
Accommodation in a 4* hotels in the heart of Bordeaux UNESCO World heritage site. You will get your bike as well as your route notes which will indicate your circuit.
Bordeaux, the former “Burdigala” Roman, inseparable from its vineyard … radiates plenty of stones in her dress to provide fireworks. The Garonne River, heart of the city, welcomes walkers on the banks or boat trips and river cruise. Everyone can take ownership of the docks, hoping to see the landing of a cruise ship, “amazing sight” a giant of the seas in the city center.
Night and breakfast in hotel 4*
This route allows you to discover the Entre-Deux-Mers region of 55 km of track / greenway and backroads … Enchanting!
You will leave Bordeaux with the track that runs along the Garonne River and its beautiful landscaped quays, then you will follow the greenway trail, winding through the hillsides of the Entre-Deux-Mers through Creon and Sauveterre de Guyenne, which are magnificent fortified walled towns with rampart. Finally, by backroads surrounded by vineyards, you will drive to your accommodation.
Night, dinner and breakfast in charming guesthouse
The greenway is royal: it alternately crosses vineyards and forests and crosses several small stations refurbished in houses. Despite some minor false flat, the track is easy and offers a breath of nature.
In this step a little shorter you can enjoy the many stops that are available to cyclists throughout the course. In the late afternoon, you will be greeted by charming guest room or Hotel*** in Marmande or 10 km before.
Dinner, bed and breakfast in hotel 3* or charming guesthouse
You leave Marmande, land of tomatoe and strawberry, still at the shade of the plane trees you will follow the Canal de Garonne and waterways until Tonneins, where you follow a backroad to join the hilltop Clairac, and its benedictine abbey. Then you will go along the Canal du Lot for a bucolic ride brightened up by orchards, barge and its villages leading you until Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
« Villeneuve-sur-Lot » is a charming bastide in Lot-et-Garonne which was built on the two banks of the river “Lot” between 1251 and 1264, by a feudal treaty between “Alphonse de Poitiers”, representing the king of France and the powerful Benedictine Abbey of Eysses. Listed among the largest and powerful bastide of the south west, « Villeneuve-sur-Lot » has a rich heritage to be discovered: the main square and its “couverts”, the towers of Pujols and Paris, half-timbered houses from XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, The Cieutat bridge…Night in Bed and Breakfast in hôtel 4*
From Villeneuve-sur-Lot, your route borrows backroads through the orchards of plum trees in the wide bed of the Lot. You will cross the beautiful town of Pujols. Others remarkable perched villages, Montsempron-Libos and Fumel. A few kilometers away from Fumel a stop is imperative to visit one of the most beautiful fort of France, the castle of Bonaguil. Down from its rocky spur, it dominates for 8 centuries the valley and the medieval village. It is one of the most romanesque highlight of your cycling adventures in south of France!
You will reach then Puy-Lévêque, built on a rocky promontory and located on the borders of Quercy and Perigord, the medieval city is considered as a pearl of the Lot Valley and the vineyard.
Night in Bed and Breakfast in hôtel 3*
The cycle route winds its way through vineyards and orchards, giving you the benefit of green, unspoilt landscapes. You’ll pass through small villages such as Belaye, a medieval village with a breathtaking view over the valley, or Luzech at the heart of a meander forming a peninsula, one of the most spectacular sites in the Lot valley, with breathtaking scenery.
You’ll then reach Cahors, “Ville d’art et d’histoire”, city of Art and History.
From Pont Valentré to Saint-Étienne Cathedral, the Lot’s premier city combines a southern ambience with a wealth of historical treasures. Nestled in a loop of the Lot Valley, Cahors is the perfect place for exploration.
Born in the time of Rome, the city of Cahors became a commercial and financial center of European stature in the Middle Ages. Today, this golden age has given rise to a delightfully lively, unspoilt old town that’s well worth a visit.
Overnight stay in a 4* bed and breakfast hotel.
Circuit loop to the jewel of the Lot Valley: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful towns in France. The medieval village, which has no less than 13 historical monuments perched on a cliff, overlooks the Lot valley and offers a breathtaking view. You will travel back in time visiting the charming heart of the village and its remarkable heritage: narrow streets, fortified doors, donjon of the 13th century and old houses with stone facades and wood sides. take your time leisurely and ask like every tourist for a guided tour in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie!
Night in Bed and Breakfast in hôtel 4*
Departure after breakfast.
Practical details
Luggage
The documents
The bikes
Accomodations
Support
We take care of transporting your luggage to the next accommodation so that you fully enjoy your daily ride.
You leave your luggage at the reception desk before your departure.
At the end of the afternoon, you recover them in the next accommodation (at the reception or directly in your room).
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum) + 1 hand luggage.
We remind you that rental bikes are equipped with saddlebags to be used to bring your belongings useful for the day.
Your travel pack corresponds to the documents or numeric files that you receive before your trip (usually one month before) and upon your arrival at the first accommodation.
It includes:
- A welcome letter with the main practical information:
- The time slot for luggage transport
- Details of the delivery and recovery of rental bikes if necessary
- Your local contact and telephone number(s) in case of emergency
- Any additional information
The travel book including a map with the route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
The voucher(s) to be given to the service provider(s) (only if requested)
On request and depending on the tours:
The “Evazio” application to download to your Smartphone for a “GPS” guidance. This guidance is visual (reading of the track on the Smartphone’s screen) and vocal.
The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
The loan of a GPS device with pre-loaded tracks
GPX traces of every step for use with your own navigation device
On this tour, you can choose on reservation:
- A hybrid bike suitable for touring and for the course
- An electric bike adapted to the route
With its equipment:
- 1 rear bag
- 1 handlebar bag
- 1 repair kit (for 1 or 2 bikes)
- 1 helmet (on request)
- 1 lock (for 1 or 2 bikes)
- 1 charger (for the electric bike)
For the youngest, we can propose depending on age and size
- A child bike
- A baby seat
- A trailer
- A bike trailer
The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.
At the end of the course, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We will take care of their recovery.
This tour is available in a “superior” version :
The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:
- Comfort : The trip mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and guesthouses.
- Superior : The tour mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guesthouses.
- Luxe : The tour mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars or equivalent
Our assistance remains available for the duration of your stay.
