Dordogne Self-Guided Bike Tour: 10 Nights of Cycling, History & Scenic Beauty
Immerse yourself in the charm, history, and breathtaking landscapes of Dordogne on this 10-night self-guided bike tour. Cycle at your own pace through medieval villages, rolling countryside, and prehistoric sites while enjoying authentic French cuisine and culture. With flexible routes, stunning accommodations, and plenty of opportunities to explore, this tour is the perfect way to experience cycling in Dordogne in a relaxed and immersive way.
Tour Highlights
- Scenic Rides Through Charming Villages: Cycle along quiet roads through traditional villages like Sarlat, Domme, Montignac, and Rocamadour, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Dordogne Valley.
- Historic Sites & Ancient Caves: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lascaux and explore the prehistoric caves that reveal the region’s ancient past.
- Gastronomic Delights: Enjoy delicious French cuisine, with opportunities to stop at local markets, cafés, and restaurants known for their regional specialties.
- Leisurely Pace: With daily rides ranging from 25 to 55 km, this tour is designed for cyclists who prefer a relaxed, stress-free pace with ample time to explore the area.
- Stay in Historic Hotels: Rest in charming accommodations that reflect the area’s rich history, including hotels located near ancient landmarks and offering stunning views.
- Self-Guided Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom of self-guided cycling in Dordogne, where you control your pace and route, all while receiving detailed maps and directions.
Who Is This Tour For?
This Dordogne self-guided bike tour is perfect for:
- Cyclists who prefer a relaxed pace: Ideal for those who want to explore the Dordogne at their own pace, without rushing through long daily rides.
- History enthusiasts: Those interested in the prehistoric and medieval history of the Dordogne, including visits to Lascaux Caves and other historical landmarks.
- 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.
- Nature lovers: Cyclists who want to immerse themselves in the scenic beauty of the Dordogne Valley, with its rolling hills, lush forests, and charming villages.
- Gastronomy aficionados: Anyone eager to enjoy authentic French cuisine, local wines, and the regional flavors that make Dordogne so unique.
- Travelers seeking a peaceful, immersive experience: This tour is for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and discover the tranquility of rural France.
See full itinerary below. CLICK HERE to learn more about our Dordogne bicycle 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: 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: 50km
Start city: Les Eyzies
Finish city: Les Eyzies
Suggested transport: Train from anywhere.
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 |  |
| Montignac | Hotel La Roseraie |  |
| Sarlat | Hotel Restaurant La Couleuvrine |  |
| La Roque Gageac | Hotel Belle Etoile |  |
| 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.
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.
Tour Cost Per Person:
- Double Occupancy: US$2,845
- Single Occupancy: US$3,445 (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
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: Welcome to Les Eyzies
Arrive in Les Eyzies, the prehistory capital of France. We’ll meet you at the train station for a bike fitting and orientation. Take a warm-up ride or stretch your legs by exploring local historic sites before checking into your spectacular cliffside hotel, built next to the Cro-Magnon discovery site. Settle in for a three-night stay.
Day 2: Le Bugue Market & Vézère Loop – 32km/20mi
Start the day with a visit to the Le Bugue market, just 10km down the Vézère River. This lively market is a fantastic introduction to the local culture, filled with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and regional specialties. After soaking in the atmosphere, choose between returning to Les Eyzies for a relaxed afternoon or taking a scenic loop ride to where the Dordogne and Vézère rivers meet. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 3: Montignac & the Vézère Valley – 25km/16mi
Pedal northeast along the Vézère River toward Montignac, home to the world-famous Lascaux caves. Along the way, visit stunning prehistoric and medieval sites, including Roque St. Christophe, a troglodyte village carved into limestone cliffs, and the elegant Château de Losse. Enjoy a picnic or café lunch in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère before heading back to Les Eyzies for the included dinner at your hotel.
Day 4: Les Eyzies to La Roque-Gageac – 31km/19mi
Leave the Vézère Valley and cycle into the heart of the Dordogne. Opt for a visit to Font de Gaume, one of the last prehistoric caves with original paintings still open to the public. Your route takes you over a scenic ridge before descending into the Dordogne River Valley. Stop in Beynac, home to a towering medieval fortress, before reaching La Roque-Gageac, a breathtaking village built into the cliffs. Enjoy your included dinner at your riverside hotel.
Day 5: Domme, Castelnaud & Château des Milandes – 27km/17mi
Today’s ride is gentle and flat, perfect for a more relaxed cycling day. First, visit the fortress of Castelnaud, known for its fascinating collection of medieval siege weapons. Then, stop at Château des Milandes, once home to American entertainer Josephine Baker. For those craving a challenge, an optional steep climb takes you up to Domme, a spectacular hilltop village with panoramic views. You can also opt for canoeing on the Dordogne or a guided boat tour. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 6: La Roque-Gageac to Meyronne – 53km/33mi
A stunning ride along the Dordogne River takes you toward the Lot region. With rolling terrain and a few climbs, this 53km ride offers plenty of scenic breaks. Pass through Souillac, with its historic abbey, then continue to Lacave, where you can explore an underground cave system. Arrive in Meyronne, where your 11th-century château hotel offers a pool and excellent dining. Settle in for three nights, with dinner included tonight.
Day 7: Rocamadour & Gouffre de Padirac – 51km/32mi or less
Today’s ride takes you to two must-see destinations:
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Gouffre de Padirac – A spectacular underground cavern with a navigable river.
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Rocamadour – A breathtaking pilgrimage site clinging to the cliffs, famous for its medieval sanctuaries.
Choose between a 30km ride with steep climbs to Rocamadour or a longer 51km route that includes both sites. Dinner is on your own in St. Sozy or at your hotel.
Day 8: Carennac & Castelnau Loop Ride – 31km
Enjoy a relaxed day with multiple options. Lounge by the pool, take a short ride across the river to St. Sozy, or visit Lacave’s caves just 7km away. If you prefer a full cycling day, explore the Upper Dordogne River, stopping in Carennac, one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages.” Visit the impressive Castelnau fortress, and for an extra challenge, climb up to Loubressac, a stunning hilltop village. Return to Meyronne for another relaxing evening. Dinner is on your own in the village.
Day 9: Meyronne to Sarlat – 51km/19mi
Today’s ride retraces part of the Dordogne River route, bypassing Souillac and introducing new roads before leading onto a dedicated bike path (Piste Cyclable) into Sarlat, the capital of the Périgord Noir region. Known for its beautifully preserved medieval center, Sarlat is filled with charming shops and historical landmarks. It’s a rolling 51km ride with a single significant climb in the morning. Dinner is included at your hotel.
Day 10: Sarlat Market & Exploration
Wake up to the lively sounds of Sarlat’s famous market day! Stroll through the bustling stalls of local cheeses, truffles, foie gras, and handcrafted goods. Spend the afternoon exploring Sarlat’s medieval architecture or visiting one of the nearby prehistoric attractions. In the evening, cycle back to Les Eyzies for a farewell dinner at your hotel.
Day 11: Departure from Les Eyzies
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we assist with your bike return and luggage transfer. Say goodbye to the Dordogne, leaving with unforgettable memories of your self-guided bike tour through one of France’s most breathtaking regions.
