Dordogne Biking

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.

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
A meal you will never forget- dinner at Auberge la Plume d’Oie in la Roque Gageac, one of ‘les plus beaux villages de France’
Learn falconry at the former castle of Josephine Baker
Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises

Location

Les Eyzies

Day 1+2

La Roque Gageac

Day 3+4

Rocamadour

Day 5+6

What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP

Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guides
Support vehicle
6 nights lodging
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1
Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
Detailed map and route instructions
All baggage transportation
All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off (see arrive/depart cities)

Particulars

EVENT DATES

2023

May 14-20
Jun 22-28
Aug 15-21
Sep 6-12

2024

May 12-18
Jun 20-26
Aug 13-19
Sep 4-10

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

Bordeaux - Les Eyzies/Rocamadour

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate
20-40+ miles daily
Van supported

TERRAIN

3 days gently rolling, 3 days are moderately rolling

COST

Land Cost:
US $2,950
Includes 6B/2L/5D

Single Supplement:
US $750

Bike Rental:
US $280

E-Bike Rental:
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 :
Bordeaux – Les Eyzies: 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.

Day 1-2

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. We’ll visit the prehistory museum and Fonte de Gaume, where cave paintings from 12,000 B.C. can be seen. On our second day of cycling, we’ll trace the Vezere River northward, perhaps with a visit to one of the extraordinary underground grottes famous in the area
Distance D1: 35 up to 60 km, elevation gain 470 m.
Distance D2: 34 up to 50 km, elevation gain up to 850 m.*

Day 3-4

La Roque Gageac

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. La Roque Gageac, one of the ‘plus jolis villages de France’, boasts a wonderful hotel situated at the river’s edge.
Distance D3: 34 km, elevation gain 360 m or 50 km, gain 850 m.
Distance D4: 24 km, elevation gain 190 m or 80 km, gain 740 m.*

Day 5-6

Rocamadour

The ride to Rocamadour 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 Rocamadour, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in France. On our final day of riding we’ll explore Antoir, Loubressac and perhaps Carennac, which has the largest bicycle museum in France. Back in Rocamadour we’ll celebrate at a local restaurant to toast our week together.
Distance D5: 38 km, elevation gain 750 m or 58 km, gain 1115m.
Distance D6: 52 km, elevation gain 760 m.*

Day 7

Depart at your leisure from Rocamadour train station.

*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.

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.

Hôtel de la Belle Etoile, La Roque Gageac

Situated in one of the most beautiful villages in France, this hotel is a converted mansion that offers spacious and comfortable rooms enjoying views over the river. Enjoy delicious meals in the spacious dining room and relax on the lovely, intimate terrace.

Les Esclargies, Rocamadour

Set in Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy, on a property with an oak grove, this serene, woodsy-chic hotel is an 8-minute walk from downtown L'Hospitalet and 15 minutes on foot from Rocher des Aigles bird park.

Trip Reviews

Brenda B – Stow MA

June 10, 2014

This was our first bike trip of this kind. The guides were very flexible and accommodating and worked with everyone to honor each cyclists abilities and interests. We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to choosing a trip for next year !

Anne B. – Vancouver BC

July 2, 2013

This tour was quite honestly the most fun I have ever had on a vacation! Cycling was a fabulous way to explore a region in a
way that I would otherwise not have been able to. A great opportunity to bond with my mom without either of us needing to
carry the weight of travel logistics.

Linda C. – La Jolla CA.

May 26, 2012

This biking vacation exceeded my expectations in scenery, accommodations, dinning, tour leader and the number of hills.

Mlu C. – Vancouver BC

May 26, 2012

The Dordogne region is one of pastoral beauty and is made even better by the lack of traffic and the historical sites along the way. This bike trip is so satisfying visually and physically. There are so many beautiful places and things to see, and the meals and accommodations are over the top.

Kathryn C. – Sault Ste Marie, ON

September 12, 2007

“Even better than I expected. Thank you for all the fabulous memories! The region was absolutely gorgeous – everywhere I looked was a picture postcard. The hotels were the very best in each area we stayed. Loved our place in Rocamadour, Les Eyzies was great too. Every meal was better than the one before. You chose the very best places for us. Thank heavens we were cycling to wear off all the fabulous food!”

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