Le Centenaire, Les Eyzies
Once a member of the Relais & Chateaux group, this boutique hotel has lost its pretension and is now a boutique hotel with large guest rooms, inviting lounges, and impressive grounds and swimming pool.
We first started coming to this region in the early 1980’s, attracted by quiet country roads to bike and wonderful scenery, with castles seemingly around every corner; the Dordogne retains this charm and now has superb hotels and restaurants. In addition, the prehistoric caves of Font de Gaume & Lascaux, and pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and others make this a unique place in all of the world. The Luxe trip offers the opportunity to stay in luxurious accommodation including the Centenaire in Les Eyzies, Plaza Madeleine in Sarlat, and Relais & Chateaux property of Château de la Treyne in Lacave.
Only Great Explorations:
- Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
- Entry to the extraordinary cave paintings at Font de Gaume where only a small number of visitors are allowed each day
- Learn falconry at the former castle of Josephine Baker
- Distinctive, luxurious hotels
- We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises
Dordogne Biking
Les Eyzies
Les Eyzies
Day 1+2
Sarlat
Sarlat-la-Canéda, France
Day 3+4
Lacave
Château de la Treyne, Lacave, France
Day 5+6
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
- Support vehicle
- 6 nights lodging
- All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1
- Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
- GPS routes and maps
- All baggage transportation
- All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off
What's Not Included
- Bike rental
Particulars
Departure Dates
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| May 10-16 | May 9-15 |
| May 24-30 | May 23-29 |
| Jun 14-20 | Jun 13-19 |
| Jun 28-Jul 2 | Jun 27-Jul 1 |
| Sep 13-19 | Sep 12-18 |
| Sep 27-Oct 3 | Sep 26-Oct 2 |
Trip can start any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
4-16 participants
Total Days
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Les Eyzies / Souillac
Activity Level
Moderate
20-40+ miles daily
Van supported
Terrain
3 days gently rolling, 3 days are moderately rolling
Cost
Land Cost
US $4,150
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement
US $1050
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $320
Racing Bikes: US $420
E-Bikes*: US $480
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. Rental rates include delivery to the first hotel and pick-up from the last hotel. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247
Getting There
Most participants will spend an evening in Bordeaux and transfer to Les Eyzies on the 10h50 train the morning of Day 1 (you can also reach Les Eyzies from Paris through Limoges on an 8:15 train). We have recommendations for excellent hotels in the historical district of Bordeaux.
1
Day 1
Les Eyzies
Our trip starts from Les Eyzies which is easily reached from Bordeaux by train. We’ll meet at 12h40 on arrival of the 10:50 Bordeaux train at the Les Eyzies train station and cycle to Campagne for lunch at a local bistrot. The villages of le Bugue and Limeuil (members of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’) will provide a wonderful introduction to the region. Les Eyzies is where the first discoveries of Homo sapiens were made and there is a wonderful pre-history museum and Fonte de Gaume, where cave paintings from 12,000 B.C. can be seen. We’ll have a welcome reception followed by the first of many fabulous meals.
Distance: 14 km; 185 m gain or 38 km; 490 m gain
2
Day 2
Les Eyzies
On our second day of cycling, we offer four different routes including the most popular, an option following the Vezere River northward to Montignac, where Lascaux II caves can be visited to see extraordinary cave paintings and to learn the history of these remarkable ancient findings. Enjoy a delicious lunch of regional specialties in a convivial setting and then make your way back to Les Eyzies. Enjoy the pool and amenities of our 4-star hotel, ideally located in the center of town with a fine restaurant.
Distance: 31 km; 550 m gain or 44 km; 700 m gain or 66 km; 880 m gain or 100 km; 1,420 m gain
3
Day 3
Sarlat
The Dordogne has castles throughout the region and we’ve designed our cycling route to pass by the most impressive. We’ll visit the Château de Castelnau, built 1000 years ago and still majestic in its appearance and Les Milandes, where the actress Josephine Baker lived with her adopted children until 1964. Reaching Sarlat, the impeccably restored Renaissance town, we’ll enjoy a walking tour before dinner at a favourite restaurant.
Distance: 48 km; 675 m gain or 70 km; 925 m gain or 100 km; 1,412 m gain
4
Day 4
Sarlat
If you would like a day off the bike, this is an option and we can arrange a paddling excursion on the Dordogne River, where you can float/paddle along charming villages. Or spend the day in Sarlat’s shops and cafes. For those that choose to ride, you could do a short ride to the canoe/kayak location or do a longer loop through the surrounding countryside, passing grand castles and charming chateaux. This is a night on your own for dinner – we’ll provide recommendations from casual bistros to fine dining establishments.
Distance: 44 km; 545 m gain or 60 km; 820 m gain or 85 km; 1,085 m gain
5
Day 5
Lacave
The ride to Lacave is nothing short of spectacular as we ride up onto escarpments and down through lush valleys, following the Dordogne river. We’ll have lunch in Souillac before continuing on to Chateau de la Treyne, the 14th century castle, now a Relais & Chateaux property that boasts a stunning location overlooking the river. For those that might enjoy a longer ride, we provide options. On this evening, enjoy a special treat dining at a 1-star Michelin restaurant, Pont D’Ousse for a memorable meal.
Distance: 38 km; 320 m
6
Day 6
Lacave
Today ride to Rocamadour, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in France. You could easily spend a couple of hours here. Add-on options explore Autoir, Loubressac and other charming villages. There are also grottes (caves) to visit including the Gouffre de Padirac, over 103m (338’) deep and can be visited by boat or right in Lacave full of stalactites and stalagmites in a subterranean amphitheatre. As on all of our trips, we celebrate with a wine reception on the terrace of our hotel and toast a fantastic week of exploration. Sante!
Distance: 35 km; 590 m gain or 65 km; 1,035 m gain or 100 km; 1,580 m gain
7
Day 7
Depart
Depart at your leisure. Taxis to Souillac (5 minutes away) are available when you wish.
Plaza Madeleine Hôtel & Spa, Sarlat
Situated in one of the most beautiful villages in France, this hotel has always been considered the Sarlat hotel of reference. An authentic 4 star establishment located in the heart of the medieval city with its listed monuments, markets and shops, numerous restaurants, street shows and performances.
Château de la Treyne, Lacave
This hotel certainly is one of the most charming and historic in all of France. Boasting a dreamy setting overlooking the Dordogne River, and 120 hectares of formal gardens and woodland within the castle grounds. There is a heated outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a super restaurant, where we dine on the final night, of course.
Tour Reviews
“Accommodations, guides, bikes & our group are what made this trip 5-star all around for us. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves & it exceeded all expectations!”
“Fabulous trip. The cave visit was excellent. The guides were terrific and very accommodating to the different levels of riders. Loved the region. Very beautiful. Hotels were lovely.”
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