France Self Guided Biking / Dordogne

Tour Dates: April – October

Our Dordogne Bike Tours are Self Guided Bike tours that offer the best in a French cycling vacation: history, castles, beautiful vistas, quiet country roads, and world-renowned cuisine and wine. The Dordogne is thought by many to be the most beautiful river in France. You’ll also explore the Vézère River valley, famous for prehistoric sites, including caves and troglodyte dwellings. The prehistoric sites, such as Lascaux cave, (which is inscribed on the World Heritage List), testify to millenniums of human history and are exceptional in both quality and quantity.

Some of the most charming villages of France are found in the Dordogne region. The opulent Dordogne valley is rich with countless grandiose and spectacular sites such as castles and fortresses, villages built into the cliff and caves with amazing rock formations. Our route will take you through beautiful and varied scenery along country roads built generations ago. Here, every step takes you to a visible trace of human history. You will follow pilgrimage routes, drawn during the 12th and the 13th centuries, riding from centuries old stone-built houses to villages from the Middle Ages, and from shepherds huts – unchanged from prehistoric times – to troglodyte houses built onto the cliff.

Tour Difficulty

This is a moderate tour. The route is has some hills with one day of  870 meters of climbing.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Road Conditions: Paved
  • Recommended Bike: Hybrid, Road bike, Electric bike or tandem

Tour Highlights

  • Castles and fortresses
  • Prehistoric sites, such as Lascaux cave
  • Historical sites
  • Old stone-built houses
  • Troglodyte houses built onto the cliff

2024 Price: €2425 Euros per person double occupancy (March, April, May, October)

High season supplement: June - September: €250 Euros per person Single Supplement: €625 Euros
Price Includes:
  • 7 nights of accommodation in superior hotels of charm with private shower and/or bath
  • Daily breakfast at each hotel, 3 dinners included
  • Taxi transfer from Bergerac to Tremolat/Mauzac included.
  • Hybrid bike rental included (Road bikes and e bikes available for additional cost)
  • Orientation in person with our local guide
  • Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
  • Navigation routes for your phone
  • All luggage transfers
  • Comprehensive trip literature
  • Technical and emergency support available at all times
Price Does Not Include:
  •  Carbon Road Bike Rental €160 per person
  • Electric Bike Rental €160 per person
  • Drinks
  • 4 dinners are not included, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
  • Upgraded Hotels available for additional cost

Included with bike rental

Hybrid & Electric bike rental : Your bike comes with 2 bags (1 rear pannier + 1 front pannier) so you can easily carry your stuff during your ride.

  • Rear pannier containing : Helmet / Lock / pump / 2 spare tubes
  • Handlebar bag containing: Toolkit / Tire levers / Patch kit
  • 1 water bottle
  • Odometer
  • Flat pedals are included (toe straps on request)

Road bike rental :

  • Under seat bag containing : Toolkit / Tire levers / Patch kit / 2 spare tubes
  • Helmet
  • Odometer
  • Lock
  • Flat pedals are included (toe straps on request) – you are welcome to bring your own clipless pedals

“The route through Dordogne was perfectly suited to us and everyone else in the group. Not too long, too hilly, too flat. Scenery, accommodations and food did not disappoint. They were great. We just had a blast!”

~ Denise H. (Bike Tour of Dordogne, France)

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 :  Arrive in Tremolat

Arrival in Trémolat. From Paris you will take the train to Bergerac and then we will provide a taxi transfer to Trémolat/Mauzac. Settle in to your charming hotel. You can either relax by the pool before your orientation.

Dinner included tonight.

Day 2 :  From Tremolat to Les Eyzies

32 Miles / 51 Km   Elevation Gain: 636 meters 

Your first ride will take you to Les Eyzies, capital of Prehistory, where Cro Magnon men were discovered. Take some time to visit the Font de Gaume, which hosts a collection of prehistoric cave paintings. Prehistoric men living in the Dordogne Valley first settled in the Font de Gaume around 25,000 BC. The cave was forgotten until the 19th century. The paintings found here date back to 17000 BC, during the Magdalenien period. The most famous painting, a mural of five bison was discovered accidentally in 1966 while the scientists were cleaning the cave.

Dinner and breakfast included.

Day 3 :  Ride to Sarlat

Option 1 : 15 Miles /- 24 Km Elevation Gain: 385 meters     Option 2 : 18 Miles / 29 Km    Elevation gain : 620 meters   

Since today is a short ride but your destination has plenty to offer, we recommend getting an early start to give you plenty of time to visit the charming town of Sarlat, a medieval town built around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. Sarlat is one of the only towns in France which has kept its 14th century influence! If you happen to be there on Wednesday or Saturday morning, do not miss the wonderful local market. You will stay at a charming hotel in the center of the old town of Sarlat.

Option : You can decide to take a longer itinerary (with more elevation) going to the Chateau of Commarque (open to public), facing the Chateau de Laussel (private).

Dinner on your own in Sarlat where you have plenty of options. Breakfast included.

Day 4 :  Cycle to Lacave and Visit the Dordogne Caves

25 Miles / 41 Km   Elevation Gain: 575 meters 

Today you ride to Lacave where you can visit the local cave. In this cave, the visit starts with a short underground train ride, at the end of which you will meet a guide to take you on a mile-long visit! On your way to Lacave, you can stop in Souillac and its Church of Sainte Marie. Tonight, you will stay at Pont de l’Ouysse with dinner included.

Dinner & breakfast included.

Day 5 :  Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac

32 Miles /51 Km   Elevation Gain: 872 meters 

Today you will pass by the Gouffre de Padirac, one of the most famous underground caves in France, where part of the visit is done by boat. The Gouffre de Padirac is quite popular, we recommend getting there as early as possible. Be sure to allow some time to visit Rocamadour, one of the most visited places of France, first as a pilgrimage destination, but also because of its beautiful village built on a cliff side. Do not forget to visit the Remparts, as well as the Rocher des Aigles where vultures, falcons and eagles fly free. You may want to visit a local farm producing and selling goat cheese, or just walk around the narrow streets of the village.

Stay in a charming hotel, dinner on your own.

Day 6 :  Cycling Along the Dordogne River to Carsac

29 Miles /46 Km   Elevation Gain: 619 meters 

Today take your time riding along the Dordogne River for a quiet countryside ride. Your destination is Vitrac or Carsac, small villages in the Black Perigord. Vitrac is known for its Chateau and water sports.

Dinner on your own. Breakfast included.

Day 7 : Ride in the Perigord Region to Belves

23 Miles / 37 Km   Elevation Gain: 491 meters 

For your last ride, you will ride through some very pitturesque villages such as la Roque Gageac and Castelnaud la Chapelle. La Roque Gageac has been awarded ‘one of the most beautiful villages’ of France! Built at the foot of a cliff, right along the river, do not miss its Exotic Garden and the troglodyte fort. Several famous castles are on your itinerary as well, such as the Chateau des Milandes, former home of Josephine Baker, and the Chateau de Castelnaud la Chapelle, an impressive fortified castle overlooking the Dordogne valley.

Dinner on your own, breakfast included.

Day 8 :  Departure Day

Departure after breakfast, trains from Belves to Paris and other destinations possible.

Breakfast included.