Dordogne: From The Vineyards of Bordeaux to Medieval Sarlat
Self Guided Tour - 9 Days / 8 Nights, Approx. 342km
Experience beautiful scenery as you ride through the Bordeaux and St Emilion “grands crus” famous vineyards before reaching the Dordogne area. Stop during the day to taste the wine from these villages.
The pretty Dordogne valley offers a rich and flavoursome regional cuisine, enchanting castles, flower- filled villages and beautiful ever-changing landscapes. As you cycle, following the twists and turns of the Dordogne and Vezere Rivers, you are constantly rewarded with superb views – a hill top chateau, a turreted manor house surrounded by walnut trees until you reach the charming medieval town of Sarlat.
These areas are also famous for their outstanding gastronomy especially the prized truffle.
Your JourneyDay 1: Arrive Bordeaux, a city of history and trade, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage area. Day 2 Bordeaux – Cadillac 49 km Ride on a cycle track through the quiet and beautiful countryside of the Gironde’s area to Créon, a typical fortified village. Then continue through the vineyards of Cadillac past Loupiac and Saint Croix du Mont. Day 3 Excursion to Sauterne vineyards 46 km Cycle through forest and vineyards to Chateau Yquem, icon of Sauterne wines. Visit cellars then continue through the vines to the resting place of Toulouse Lautrec. Return to Cadillac. Day 4 Cadillac – Saint Emilion 50 km Cycle through the heart of ‘Entre-deux Mers’ vineyards, from the Garonne to the Dordogne River and further on till you reach the prestigious wine village of Saint-Emilion. Day 5 Saint Emilion – Bergerac 68 km Follow on and off the Dordogne River to reach the charming 18th century village Sainte-Foy-la-Grande with its half-timbered houses and quaint streets. Continue along the splendid routes crossing the Montbazillac vineyards, overlooked by its majestic chateau. Arrive Bergerac. Day 6 Bergerac – Les Eyzies 61 km Continue along the Dordogne River to the beautiful and picturesque village of Limeuil, at the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère rivers, an ideal swimming or canoe spot in an outstanding natural environment. Proceed to Les Eyzies, a village built on a cliff with numerous pre-historical remnants. Day 7 Les Eyzies – Sarlat 26 km or 54 km The long route takes you via the cave of Lascaux 11- the world’s most famous prehistoric cave paintings that line the ceilings of Lascaux , (tickets must be booked in advance as the number of visitors per day is restricted ). Otherwise meander through pretty country to reach the famous medieval town of Sarlat. Day 8 Sarlat – Domme – La Roque Gageac – Beynac – Sarlat 42 km + 5.6 km Ride a quiet cycle path to the ancient walled town of Domme, perched high on a cliff with panoramic views across the Dordogne Valley. Stroll around the bastide town of Domme, a medieval masterpiece of cobblestone streets, honey-coloured homes with flower-filled courtyards. Leave Domme and stop for a visit in the village of La Roque Gageac, an ancient river harbour carved in the cliff before reaching Beynac with its impressive, crag-top chateau. Return to Sarlat. Day 9 Departure Your tour concludes. TerrainModerate with a few steep climbs. |
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