Dordogne Bike

Trip Design: We have designed this trip to enable both novice and expert bikers to discover this beautiful part of France. We have picked our hotels so that you will experience village, country and town life. You will stay in a 12th-century fortified village, in a converted 16th-century stone water mill, and finally in a 17th-century noble house in the town of Montignac. Two of the three hotels have swimming pools and lovely grounds. There is also the opportunity to dine at one of France's finest restaurants, "Le Centenaire." And no visit to this part of the world is complete without visiting the fantastic prehistoric cave paintings in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac. Come with us for a week of beautiful biking and truly extraordinary experiences.


Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival in Bergerac.  Home of "Cyrano de Bergerac," this pleasant southern town spreads out along the banks of the Dordogne River. Stroll along the river's edge into the historic heart of town where 15th and 16th century half-timbered houses jostle each other for space. Our hotel is conveniently located in a quiet part of town.  Overnight in Bergerac. Hotel included.


Day 2 - Sunday:  Meet your guide(s) at 9:00 and transfer to Monpazier, a medieval "bastide" or fortified hamlet, where you will be staying for two nights. After check-in and a brief orientation, we will start off on our first ride to the Château de Biron, one of the most impressive fortified castles in the Dordogne. It dates back to the 12th century and gives us a fascinating glimpse of medieval life. Lunch is at the Auberge du Château, a little bistro with a terrace overlooking the castle's courtyard. 

Our hotel, the Hotel Edward 1er, is a 19th-century turreted château that has been transformed into a lovely, small four-star inn, complete with a small swimming pool. It is located in the walled village of Monpazier, one of the best-preserved of Périgord's "bastides," founded by King Edward I in 1284. One of the attractions of Monpazier, besides its beautiful arcaded central square, is a superb little restaurant with a relaxed and casual atmosphere that is the perfect spot to kick off the trip -- following our apéritif in the town square, of course! Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 3 - Monday:  "Le tour des bastides" ride take us on a gorgeous route linking several of the 13th century fortified villages built by the French and English during the Hundred Years' War. They had high walls, turrets, and bastions overlooking a central square and church, which was also often fortified. Today the defensive walls are likely to be topped with geraniums and the village square is alive with cafés and shops. We will stop at the 12th century Abbey of Cadouin, a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago di Compostela. We then head towards the picturesque villages of Limeuil and Trémolat. Tonight we dine in the village at a local table d'hôte. Overnight in Monpazier. Hotel breakfast, and dinner included.


Day 4 - Tuesday:  Today we have a lovely ride through chestnuts forests, winding valleys, and medieval villages to reach the winery at Le Bugue for a visit and tasting. Our host, Manu, will offer us a sample of wines not only from his own production but from the emerging appellations of Cahors, Bergerac and Pécharmant, as well as the golden sweet Monbazillac. Only a few more kilometers before our final destination: the village of Les Eyzies, famous for its cliffs and caves where Cro-Magnon man lived 20,000 years ago. Our hotel is a restored 16th century water mill, and we will enjoy dinner tonight in its fine restaurant. Overnight in Les Eyzies at the Hotel Le Moulin de la Beune. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.


Day 5 - Wednesday: Today we have an extraordinay visit to the nearby caves, where 20,000 years ago prehistoric man sheltered in the rock overhangs that still surmount the village. We have a guided visit of the museum of prehistory, followed by the cave paintings of the Font de Gaume. Seeing the delicate artistry of our distant ancestors is a powerful experience, and by the end of the day you will no longer think of Cro-Magnon man as just a bulging brow and no brains!  The Font de Gaume is a narrow cave corridor 65 meters long leading to an awe-inspiring series of over 200 polychromatic paintings of horses, bison, reindeer and mammoth. It is one of the very few caves left in the world where the public can still gain entry to see prehistoric cave paintings. After our visit we have a pleasant half-day ride to the villages of Plazac and Le Moustier. Or, you can trade your bike for a canoe and paddle past the castles that line the Dordogne River. Tonight is a "free night," so anyone interested can try Le Centenaire, awarded two coveted stars by Michelin and within walking distance of our hotel. It is truly an extraordinary dining experience. There are many other options, of course, for those of less ambitious palates. Overnight in Les Eyzies. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.


Day 6 - Thursday: Today we follow the river to Saint Léon sur Vézère where we can sip a mid-morning coffee or walk around the village, which boasts  two castles and one of the finest Romanesque churches of Périgord. We continue to Fanlac and then on to the village of Montignac, where we will stay at the three-star Hotel La Roseraie. Vincent and Isabelle welcome us like friends in this beautifully restored 18th century mansion. Before your last "free night" dinner, enjoy a wine tasting in the village of Montignac. Overnight in Montignac. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.


Day 7 - Friday:  Ride to St. Amand de Coly this morning, a pretty village with the most impressive fortified abbey in the Dordogne. The 12th century abbey was once an important stopping point on one of the many pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. The village also has an incredible coppersmith that is worth a visit!  We carry on to Sainte-Nathalène for a guided visit of  the Moulin de la Tour, a 16th century water mill still in activity. They makes delicious oil from walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds according to the centuries' old tradition. From there, we transfer by van to Sarlat: famous throughout France for its beauty and uniquely preserved medieval center. You will have free time this afternoon to explore Sarlat's narrow streets and covered market. The van will take you back to Montignac for a final apéritif in the garden. Our farewell dinner is served by Vincent, who offers us an unforgettable festival of local flavors. Overnight in Montignac at La Roseraie. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.


Day 8 - Saturday:  transfer by van to Brive for rail connections to Paris or to pick up rental cars for the rest of your trip.


Useful Links -
Dordogne & Périgord tourism: general information on the region, with lots of photos and links.  See the "Purple Perigord" link in "Towns, cities" for the Bergerac region.

Hundred Years' War:  interesting Wikipedia site on this interminable war, involving the infamous Joan of Arc.

Prehistoric Cave Paintings: nice site; only in French but good photos of the caves

Getting to know Cro-Magnon Man:  accessible BBC site tracing the evolution of man

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: look at all the fabulous things to see in France!

General Information

Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Qualifications: This trip is rated easy to moderate with challenging optional rides. This trip is perfect for anyone who is physically fit and likes to cycle; the presence of a support van and relatively flat terrain means that cyclists of all abilities may join. The daily distances are between 50-60 kms (31-38 miles) a day, which translates into 3-5 hours of riding more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon. This may sound like a lot, but we make frequent stops to take pictures, enjoy a café au lait, or simply enjoy the view. You are provided with written route directions, which allow you to be independent and ride at your own pace. However, a regular conditioning program consisting of cycling, walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 3 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are comfortable in the saddle, allowing you to enjoy all that this wonderful trip has to offer. In other words, get your bum used to a bike seat before you arrive to avoid suffering during the trip! There is a support van to move the luggage and also to help tired bikers in case of need. Most importantly, the rides are absolutely beautiful! The Bikes: Our hybrid bikes are lightweight Cannondale aluminum frames with  front suspension and a shock-absorbing seat-post for extra comfort. They have all Shimano componentry. They are very comfortable, with a relatively upright riding position as well as climbing bars which enable you to change your hand position. They have 27 speeds with index shifters on the handlebars. They have a low gearing ratio to make hill climbing especially easy, and the upright sitting position reduces shoulder and neck fatigue. A more upright position also means that you get to look at the beautiful countryside instead of just the asphalt in front of your wheel! The bikes come with a small front handlebar bag suitable only for light things, a separate map case, water bottle, pump, spare tube, and a rear carrier rack. We HIGHLY recommend that you bring a strap-on rear carrier bag that sits on top of the rear rack (not a side pannier). You can bring your own pedals and seat, which we can mount for you. The bikes are sized based on the information that you send to us, so be as accurate as you can! You must bring your own helmet. Trip Cost includes: All accommodations (1 night Bergerac, 2 Monpazier, 2 nights Les Eyzies, 2 nights Montignac); 7 breakfasts and 4 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; support vehicle; guided tours as noted in the itinerary; all luggage transfers; final transfer to Brive train station at the end of the trip; bikes (quality 27-speed hybrid-style touring bikes with front handlebar bags and rear racks). Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; three dinners; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature. Please bring your own bike helmet, as you will be required to wear one. Reservations and payment:  In order to reserve a space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or €200 (depending on the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation. Weather: In June, the climate is generally sunny and warm with daytime temperatures in the 80s, dropping approx. 10 degrees at night. Some rainfall is possible on any of the departures, requiring participants to arrive equipped with appropriate raingear. Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page) General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen). We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an e-mail or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit. Come join us!