France Self Guided Bike Tour – From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the castles of the Dordogne
From Bordeaux to Sarlat via Bergerac, enjoy the best of the French Southwest!
Embark on an extraordinary adventure as you cycle from the vibrant city of Bordeaux to the enchanting town of Sarlat. You will ride through the prestigious vineyards, inhaling the fragrant air of the magnificent valleys carved by the Dordogne and Vézère rivers. As you pedal through the heart of Bordeaux and into the scenic Dordogne, prepare to be dazzled by the beauty of St. Emilion’s renowned wines and the sumptuous regional cuisine that awaits you.
Along the way, you will be greeted by enchanting castles that rise majestically against the backdrop of lush green countryside, peaceful villages bursting with flowers, and ever-changing vistas that will leave you breathless. At every meander of the Dordogne and Vézère, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views and the allure of Sarlat’s medieval streets beckoning you closer. This journey is not just about the thrill of cycling; it’s about immersing yourself in the captivating landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of the French Southwest.
2025 Price: €1480 Euros pp double occupancy
Price Includes:
- 7 nights’ accommodations with breakfast
- 1 dinner
- luggage transfers
- phone assistance during tour
- loan of a GPS uploaded with routes
- info on restaurants
Price Does Not Include:
Bike rental, lunches, dinners (1 dinner is included) beverages
Tour Difficulty
This is a moderate tour. The route is has some hills with a couple days of +600 meters of climbing.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Road Conditions: Paved
- Recommended Bike: Hybrid or Electric assist bike
Tour Highlights
- Bordeaux, wine capital
- lively metropolis
- Saint-Emilion
- a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, world capital of prehistory Sarlat, a true architectural gem
Itinerary
While we strive to create the most accurate itinerary possible, the nature of international travel demands that participants remain flexible to any changes. We will do our best to substitute activities and services of equal quality for those listed.
Day 1- Bordeaux
Arrive to Bordeaux on your own. Meeting with our local guide. Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.
Day 2 – From Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion – 62km 384m Niveau Loisir
You leave the regional capital on a bicycle lane that takes you into the Bordeaux countryside to the charming little walled city of Creon. Continue your ride by admiring the site and the Romanesque pillars of the La Sauve-Majeure Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a few kilometers, you are in the middle of vineyards, as far as the eye can see, that stay with you all the way to Saint Emilion.
Day 3 – From Saint-Emilion to Sainte-Radegonde 32km 289m Niveau Loisir
Through small roads, between vineyards and prestigious castles, you leave Saint-Emilion to reach leisurely the banks of the Dordogne.
For a few more km 66km 471m Niveau Forme
The long version of this route takes you through the Pomerol vineyard at the start of the route. Dinner is included tonight.
Day 4 – From Sainte-Radegonde to Bergerac 55km 190m Niveau Loisir
At the bastide (fortified town) of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, you are at the gateway of Périgord. You then leave the terroirs of the appellation Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superiors to join the AOP Monbazillac apellation, the pride of the region! This sweet white wine, rich or mellow, goes perfectly with aperitif, blue cheese and foie gras. No doubt you will find it on your table tonight! To finish your route, you cross the Dordogne to reach Bergerac, the city of Cyrano.
Day 5 – From Bergerac to Le Bugue 53km 688m Niveau Forme
Day of the rivers. Leave Bergerac in the morning to stroll along small roads lost in the middle of forests and meadows. You undulate in these fresh landscapes, crossing authentic Perigord villages huddled around their often fortified steeples. After a few spins of the wheels, you arrive on the “cingles”, This is the name we give to the meanders of the Dordogne. Your day becomes more sporty but you are rewarded by magnificent views and you can swim at the confluence of Vézère and Dordogne in Limeuil, one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Day 6 – From Le Bugue to Sarlat La Caneda 38km 580m Niveau Loisir
A day through mountains and valleys. After a few kilometers, you arrive at Eyzies-de-Tayac, the world capital of prehistory, city of Cro-Magnon, you can surely see him near his cave! After greeting him, you pedal in cool valleys along the wild rivers of the region where trout like to rest. You ride to through pretty villages with flagstone roofs to reach Sarlat, a medieval jewel.
For a few more km 55km 928m Niveau Forme
This long version allows you to reach the village of Sireuil and Tamniès. You have the possibility to visit the Château de Commarque (1.5 km from your route)
Day 7 – From Sarlat La Caneda, Domme Loop 40km 786m Niveau Forme
A loop to discover the Monfort cingle (meander) and its castle, and the fortified town of Domme, medieval town perched at 300 m altitude above the river. Make some time to stroll through Sarlat and lose yourself in its charming streets and squares.
Day 8 – Sarlat La Caneda
End of the stay after your breakfast. You can catch a train to Paris, Bordeaux and many other locations in France.