Our 7-night Dordogne bicycle tour explores not only the two river valleys—the Vezere and the Dordogne, with their prehistoric sites and cliffside dwellings—it spends a day in the Lot region, where you will visit Rocamadour, a famous stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
The stunning Dordogne region is a well-kept secret among the French and a little-known gem among bicycle tour outfits. Wonderful cycling roads, beautiful countryside and 40,000 years of history to explore make it the perfect arena for an unforgettable cycling vacation. In between satisfying rides and optional excursions, you will rest in small, family hotels that serve delicious breakfasts, which, in addition to five gourmet dinners, are included in the price. See full itinerary below. Or CLICK HERE to learn more about our Dordogne bike tours.
- General Details
- Guide/Concierge Info
- Accommodations
- Rental Bikes Available
- Inclusions
- GPS Availability
- Pricing
- Register For This Tour
Dates: Your pick! We offer tours in the Dordogne as early as March and as late as October and into November.
Length: 8 days, 7 nights
Service: Supported, Private, “Self Guided” tour. For more about how our Self Guided tours work CLICK HERE.
Type of riding: Rolling to flat terrain with some climbs.
Bikes suggested: Road bikes, e-bikes, or hybrids
Average daily riding: 50km
Start city: Les Eyzies
Finish city: Les Eyzies
Suggested transport: Train from anywhere.
We generally target 3 and 4-star hotels, which we hand select to maximize comfort while minimizing cost. The star rating is using a French rating system, which has proven to be the standard around the world. Therefore we use the same standards in France and beyond. Over the years we have developed relationships with many amazing 3 and 4-star properties that distinguish themselves as providing much more than their rating suggests. We have loved getting to know these hotels and sharing them with our guests. For tour groups wishing to upgrade their accommodations, we can provide custom pricing for four and five-star hotels, pending availability. Below are an example of some of our favorite hotels in the region that we target using on our tours, pending availability.
| Location | Hotel | Photo |
| Les Eyzies | Hotel Cro Magnon |  |
| Montignac | Hotel La Roseraie |  |
| Sarlat | Hotel Restaurant La Couleuvrine |  |
| Domme | Hotel l’Esplanade |  |
| Meyronne | Hotel La Terrasse |  |
All bikes come with helmet, repair kit, pump (or CO2 cartridges), lock, and water bottles. During the registration process, you will be asked for sizing specifics to ensure we have the correct sized bike waiting for you. We can supply a number of styles of pedals – please ask if you don’t see the pedal type you’re looking for on the registration form.
Road Bikes: Our rental road bikes are a racing style with drop handlebars.
- Type – Road
- Sizes – 47cm, 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 62cm
- Components – Aluminum frame with midrange of Shimano components. Triple or compact chainrings.
Hybrid Bikes: Our rental hybrid bikes are a relaxed style with flat handlebars.
- Type – Hybrid
- Sizes – 46, 50, 54 with sizing for all sizes.
- Components – Mixture of Shimano road and mountain components with either triple cranksets.
eBikes: These semi-powered bikes allow for non-riders to share the experience with their friends and family who are stronger cyclists.
- Type – eBike
- Sizes – S, M, L
- Components – Mixture of Shimano Acera and Deore.
- All hotel accommodations – mostly 3 and 4 star but ask for custom accommodation requests.
- An OBT cycling jersey!
- Detailed route notes, maps, and tourist information. This includes standard cue sheet, and GPS courses to upload to your own GPS device.
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel.
- Meals as explained in the tour itinerary pages. Usually this means all breakfasts, no lunches, and some dinners.
- Access to your personal guide/concierge (See Guides/Concierge tab).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Transportation to start location and from finish location.
- Bikes, but we have rental bikes available.
- Travel and Health Insurance.
- Admission to sightseeing venues, unless explicitly mentioned as included.
Tour Cost Per Person:
- Double Occupancy: US$2,545
- Single Occupancy: US$3,045 (for single room occupancy on multiple person tours)
- Solo Tour: Please contact us
Bike Rental Per Person:
- Road Bike: US$430
- eBike: US$430
- Hybrid: US$280
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Les Eyzies Arrival
Welcome to the pre-history Capital of France, Les Eyzies! We will meet you at the train station and, depending on the time of your arrival, assemble your bicycle or take you to be fitted for your rental. Hear a short orientation and take an afternoon warm-up loop if you are eager to be in the saddle, or visit historical sites by foot if you want to stretch your legs. When you are ready, we will take you to your spectacular historic hotel—one built into the side of the cliffs next to where the Cro-Magnon man remains were discovered. Dinner is included at your hotel.
Day 2: Les Eyzies to Domme – 37km
After breakfast, pedal along the Vezere to the town of Le Bugue and pick up lunch at the Tuesday morning market. After lunch, either return to Les Eyzies and cycle over the ridge to visit Chateau Les Milandes and Castelnaud on your way to Domme, or continue along the cliffs overlooking the Vezere to Limeuil and Cadouin. Depending on which route you choose, distances range from 60-80km, and climbs range from one to many. Your hotel in Domme sits on the edge of the cliff overlooking the beautiful Dordogne River Valley. Dinner at its excellent restaurant is included.
Day 3: Domme to Meyronne – 51km
Start your day with a visit to magnificent Chateau Beynac, high on the cliffs overlooking the Dordogne. During the 100 Years war the chateau was controlled by the French, while, across the river, Castelnaud was controlled by the English. Later, pedal up the Dordogne River Valley, and ride hilly terrain through one beautiful village after another: La Roque Gageac, Montfort, Carsac, St. Julian de Lampon, and Souillac. Roll into Meyronne and find your chateau-turned-hotel overlooking the river. Settle into this intimate 14-room family-run hotel for 2 nights. Dinner is included.
Day 4: Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac, Carrenac Loop Ride – 73km
This is a beautiful sightseeing day with two very different destinations: Gouffre de Padirac and Rocamadour. The Gouffre is a 100 meter deep hole in the ground which leads to caverns formed by an underground river that is navigable by boat. Rocamadour is a famous stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. A 30km ride with a lot of climbing awaits you if you choose Rocamadour alone. Add another 24k if you go to the Gouffre as well. A final option will allow you to return to the hotel via the upper Dordogne Valley. This will make it a 70+ km day, with a number of short climbs. You are on your own for dinner tonight in the village of St. Sozy across the river or again at your hotel.
Day 5: Meyronne to Sarlat – 51km
We retrace our route back down the Dordogne River, bypassing Souillac and riding some lovely new roads. We then get on a bike path (Piste Cyclable) for our ride into Sarlat, the regional capital known for its old town, and shops and history dating back to the 9th century. It is an easy rolling 51km with one big hill in the morning. Dinner is in Sarlat at your hotel.
Day 6: Sarlat to Montignac – 40km
You will wake to the sounds of people milling about in the old town street market below. After breakfast, explore this magnificent market on your own! Local food, fabrics, clothing and art will be on display; as an alternative, spend time visiting some of the town’s many pre-history attractions. In the afternoon, you have a hilly but beautiful ride to Montignac along the Vezere River: the center of the region’s pre-history sites. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.
Day 7: Montignac to Les Eyzies via Lascaux and Le Roque St. Christophe – 26km
Today features a short and beautiful ride back to Les Eyzies with two major sites to visit on the way: the first is the famous caves of Lascaux II, just 2 km from the hotel. Later, head down the river through several lovely villages, past Chateau Losse hanging out over the opposite bank, and then to Le Roque St. Christophe (the cliffs there have been occupied by man for approximately 20,000 years). Finally, ride over the ridge and down into Les Eyzies to your hotel. Dinner is on your own in town.
Day 8: Les Eyzies departure
Sleep late, have a leisurely breakfast, and enjoy your final morning in Les Eyzies. We will collect your bike if you rented one, and help transfer your luggage to the depot, before bidding you farewell!
