Dordogne & Vezere - 10 Night - Aggressive

Dordogne Self-Guided Bike Tour: 10-Night Adventure

Experience the Best of Cycling in Dordogne

Discover the magic of Dordogne bike tours on this 10-night self-guided cycling adventure. This tour is designed for experienced riders who enjoy challenging routes, breathtaking landscapes, and a deep dive into the rich history and culture of France’s Dordogne and Vézère valleys.

Pedal through medieval villages, explore prehistoric caves, and tackle exhilarating climbs as you ride through this stunning region. With carefully selected accommodations and luggage transfers included, you’ll have everything you need for a seamless and unforgettable cycling experience.


Tour Highlights

  • Challenging Daily Rides – Enjoy longer distances and hill climbs that reward you with spectacular views.
  • Prehistoric & Medieval Wonders – Explore the world-famous Lascaux caves, Rocamadour, and Château de Beynac.
  • Charming French Villages – Ride through Domme, Sarlat, Montignac, and more of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages.”
  • Riverside & Hilltop Routes – Cycle along the scenic Dordogne and Vézère Rivers, taking in castles, vineyards, and valleys.
  • Flexible Exploration – Take rest days or optional loop rides to explore at your own pace.

Who Is This Tour For?

  • Experienced Cyclists – Riders who enjoy longer distances (40-90km per day) and challenging climbs.
  • Adventure Seekers – Those who want an active vacation with plenty of opportunities for cultural exploration.
  • Couples and Small Groups – Whether you’re looking for a romantic cycling getaway or an adventure with friends, this tour offers a mix of independence and guided support.
  • History & Culture Enthusiasts – Explore prehistoric sites, medieval castles, and historic villages along the way.
  • Independent Travelers – Perfect for those who love the freedom of a self-guided journey, with expert planning and support.

See full itinerary below. CLICK HERE to learn more about all of our Dordogne bike tours.

Dates: Your pick! We offer tours in the Dordogne as early as March and as late as October and into November.
Length: 11 days, 10 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: 60km
Start city: Les Eyzies
Finish city: Les Eyzies
Suggested transport: Train from anywhere.

We work with only local guides, cooperating with those that have a love for cycling, and a desire to show guests the beauty of the land they call home. On our self guided tours we do not bring in guides from other destination to work with you. Having the local perspective only enhances your experience, providing insider knowledge and opportunities that only a local resident can offer.

From greeting guests when they arrive, to personally handling luggage transfers, to curating excursions, to problem-solving (e.g., flat tires and other unforeseen issues) our concierges assist guests daily. They also set you up on your rental bikes, and can help with routing and simple questions. Need help finding a good lunch spot? Is it raining too hard or you’re too tired to continue? The concierge is a phone call away and are there to help you! Each tour group works with a single, dedicated concierge who can be called upon for in-person assistance at any time.

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  
La Roque Gageac Hotel Belle Etoile  
Meyronne Hotel La Terrasse  
Saint-Cirq LaPopie Auberge du Sombral  

 

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.

Dordogne Road bike

 

 

 

 

 

Hybrid Bikes: Our rental hybrid bikes are a relaxed style with flat handlebars.

Dordogne Hybrid Bicycle

 

 

 

  • 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.

Dordogne eBike

 

 

 

 

  • Type – eBike
  • Sizes – S, M, L
  • Components – Mixture of Shimano Acera and Deore.

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

  • 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.
Available to rent for $150 per unit per tour. These easy to use GPS units provide an excellent worry-free routing method that you can depend on throughout your tour.

If you choose to rent we will have the until ready for use with the routes pre-loaded onto the unit. All you have to do is start the daily route at the beginning of your riding day, and follow the highlighted line! We will also provide instructions that you can reference when needed. As a backup and supplement to the GPS, we will also provide a local map as well as routing instructions.

garmin edge touring screens

Tour Cost Per Person:

  • Double Occupancy: US$3,145
  • Single Occupancy: US$3,745 (for single room occupancy on multiple person tours)
  • Solo Tour: Please contact us

Bike Rental Per Person:

  • Road Bike: US$480
  • eBike: US$480
  • Hybrid: US$295
What’s Next? Registering for your tour!

Questions: First, please feel free to ask us any questions about the tour. We are happy to help clarify any details.

Registration: Once you are ready to register please go to https://outfittertours.com/registration/ and complete the registration form. EACH tour participant will need to complete the form. At the end of the registration for you will be asked for a US$800 deposit. You can pay the deposit by bank check, wire, or credit card. Once we have all registrations we will secure all of the details of your tour – hotels, bikes, etc.

Final Payment: 60 days prior to your tour we will invoice you for the balance of the tour.

Tour Packet Delivery: Once the balance is paid and approximately 30 days before your tour we will send you a complete tour packet containing all details of your tour – accommodation information, detailed routing, a suggested packing list, maps, tourist guide, and much much more!

For more information on our Terms & Conditions please CLICK HERE.

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: Les Eyzies Arrival

Welcome to Les Eyzies, the prehistory capital of France! We’ll meet you at the train station, assist with assembling your bicycle or rental fitting, and provide a short orientation. If you’re eager, take an afternoon warm-up ride or explore the town’s historic sites on foot. Your hotel is built into the cliffs where Cro-Magnon remains were discovered—a truly unique place to begin your adventure. Dinner at the hotel is included.

Day 2: Le Bugue Market & Vézère Loop Ride (20-80km/12-50mi)

Start the day with a visit to the bustling street market in Le Bugue, 10km from Les Eyzies. After soaking up the local culture, choose between a relaxing return to Les Eyzies or an extended loop ride through the scenic Dordogne countryside. Dinner is on your own in the village.

Day 3: Montignac Loop (20-80km12-50mi)

Ride along the Vézère River towards Montignac, passing historic sites like Site Madeleine, La Roque St. Christophe, and Château de Losse. Enjoy a café lunch in St. Léon before returning to Les Eyzies for a free evening. Dinner is on your own in the village.

Day 4: Les Eyzies to Meyronne

Cycle through rolling hills from the Vézère to the Dordogne River Valley. Pass through postcard-perfect villages like La Roque-Gageac, Carsac, and Souillac before arriving in Meyronne. Your hilltop hotel boasts breathtaking views and an exquisite dining experience. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 5: Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac & Carennac Loop (80km/50mi)

Today’s route takes you to Rocamadour, a medieval pilgrimage site, and the Gouffre de Padirac, a deep cavern with an underground river. A scenic return ride through the upper Dordogne Valley completes the day. Dinner is on your own in the village.

Day 6: Meyronne to St. Cirq-Lapopie (50-70km/31-44mi)

Pedal through remote countryside to the Lot River Valley. Opt for a scenic 50km descent along the Célé River or challenge yourself with a 70km ride through stunning landscapes. St. Cirq-Lapopie, perched on the cliffs, is a haven for artists and history lovers. Dinner is included in your tour fee.

Day 7: St. Cirq-Lapopie to Mercuès (50-100km/31-62mi)

Visit the prehistoric caves of Pech Merle before cycling into Cahors, a charming wine town. After exploring, choose a leisurely 50km ride or extend your route by 50km through the renowned vineyards of the Lot Valley. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 8: Mercuès to La Roque-Gageac (65km/40mi)

Journey back to the Dordogne Valley via the scenic Céou River route. Stop in Domme for breathtaking views before arriving in La Roque-Gageac, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 9: Castelnaud, Les Milandes & Beynac

Enjoy a relaxed cycling day exploring the medieval fortress of Castelnaud, Josephine Baker’s former home at Château Les Milandes, and the stunning cliffside village of Beynac. Optional canoeing and market visits make for a flexible itinerary. Dinner is on your own in the village.

Day 10: La Roque-Gageac to Les Eyzies via Sarlat Market (33km+/21mi)

Begin your day at Sarlat’s famous market before a final scenic ride back to Les Eyzies. Customize your route length and explore additional prehistoric sites like Font de Gaume. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 11: Departure from Les Eyzies

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before saying goodbye to Dordogne. We’ll assist with bike returns and luggage transfers to the Les Eyzies train station.

Email Icon Email Icon