Bicycle Tours in France: Cycling the Dordogne with Breathtaking Views of Medieval Castles, Wine Tasting & More

Bicycle Tours in France: Cycling the Dordogne with Breathtaking Views of Medieval Castles, Wine Tasting & More BY EXPERIENCEPLUS! BICYCLE TOURS www.experienceplus.com

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UPDATED 6 months ago DURATION 7 Days SEASON June- October RATES USD 3,750.00 per person EXPIRES Dec 31, 2017
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DESCRIPTION

The Dordogne River valley in Western France is one of the country's longest and most scenic. For 500 km, the Dordogne cuts through layers of limestone plateau and meanders from the woody hills of the Massif Central through the heartland of prehistoric human settlements in Europe. This bike tour of the Dordogne takes you on some of the nicest cycling routes in Europe, with breathtaking views of medieval castles topping the hills at every bend in the river. This is one of ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours' all-time favorite bicycle tours.

Highlights: Beautiful landscapes, Collonges-la-Rouge, Gouffres of Padirac, Sarlat, Rocamadour, and medieval castles.

***Extend this bicycle tour 4 more days. Click here to review our Cycling Dordogne Plus! the Vineyards of Bordeaux tour details page.***

ADDITION RATE INFORMATION

Single Supplement: $550

*We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Brive-La-Gaillarde, France

Highlights: Renaissance Brive, sidewalk cafés, special introductory dinner

Arrive this afternoon in Brive-la-Gaillarde, just four hours by train from Paris. After we fit bicycles, you're free to explore this charming Renaissance town. This evening, we'll gather for a glass of wine and a welcome dinner together.

Distance: Test Ride. Meals: D

Day 2: Bicycle To Rocamadour

Highlights: Scenic cycling, visit Collonges-la-Rouge, Pilgrimage village of Rocamadour, goat cheese of Rocamadour

Cycle south this morning to the red sandstone village of Collonges-la-Rouge, a longtime haven for craftsmen and artisans. Enjoy a picnic or a café lunch there and bicycle on to Rocamadour, the Medieval village and pilgrimage destination perched on the limestone cliffs of the causse de Gramat. Dinner together this evening, with a taste of Rocamadour's famous white goat cheese.

Distance: 72 km (45 miles). Meals: B, D

Day 3: Bicycle Loop Ride To Padirac And To Carrenac

Highlights: Medieval Carennac, prehistoric caves of Padirac

We bicycle quiet country roads to the picturesque medieval town of Carennac this morning, stopping at the caves of Padirac on the way. Our exploration of Padirac begins with a 75-meter descent and culminates with a boat ride on one of the most spectacular underground rivers in the world. Along the way we'll discover stone tools dating back more than 50,000 years. After our exploration back in time we'll continue the ride to the picturesque medieval town of Carennac which is a perfect spot for lunch. We'll be back in Rocamadour tonight.

Distance: 64 km (40 miles). Meals: B

Day 4: Bicycle To 16th Century Sarlat

Highlights: A goose farm, Souillac, a gorgeous ride along the Dordogne, and rails-to-trails path to Sarlat

We leave Rocamadour this morning for a short ride along country roads to encounter some "local flavor" in the form of geese. We will visit a local foie gras producer and you'll have a chance to taste this famous delicacy from the southwest. Then we enter walnut country --la route de la noix-- as we head for a stunning ride along the Dordogne River to S. Julien-de-Lampon. The last ten kilometers of the ride we'll be on a rails-to-trails path that takes us to our home for the next three days, Sarlat.

Distance: 57 km (35 miles). Meals: B, D

Day 5: Rest Day In Sarlat

Highlights: Regional market in Sarlat, 9th-century Benedictine abbey, optional bike ride

Today is a free day to enjoy the extraordinary regional market in Sarlat. The town was built around a 9th-century Benedictine abbey and today preserves a collection of 15th-century buildings - many constructed with golden sandstone - which gives it a unique character. If your legs are feeling strong we'll offer an optional bike ride this afternoon into the hilly backcountry of Sarlat where you'll enjoy amazing views over the Dordogne River from Domme, and a chance to visit the medieval castle of Castelnaud.

Distance: 44 km (27 miles), your choice. Meals: B

Day 6: Loop Ride From Sarlat And Canoe Trip

Highlights: Bastide town of Domme, canoe trip, La Roque-Gageac, visit to Beynac Castle

For those who wish, we'll offer an early start and an optional ride to the 13th-century bastide town of Domme; for the rest, we begin the day with a leisurely ride back to the Dordogne River where we'll find our canoes for an easy float trip past La Roque-Gageac to Beynac Castle. This imposing castle, built during the 13th Century, was a French stronghold during the Hundred Years War. You can visit the castle, then we bicycle back to Sarlat.

Distance: 26 km (16 miles) - plus about 12 km (7 miles) by canoe. Meals: B, D

Day 7: Tour Ends In Sarlat

Highlights: You're on your own now, prepared to face Bordeaux and a few more castles and wineries. Have fun!

Meals: B

Region:

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Use of a Quality 27-30 Speed Bicycle
• Six Nights Accommodations
• Four Dinners with Wine and Six Breakfasts
• One Wine Tasting

NOTES

What to Expect: Some of the best cycling routes in France through lush landscapes. World-renowned cuisine, superb medieval villages and fascinating historical sites. Quiet roads over varied terrain; short, steep climbs from the river valley to limestone plateaus; riders may shuttle portions of two or three days.

Total Distance: 264 km (163 miles)

Daily Distance: Average per riding day 53 km (33 miles)