Gasgony to the Dordogne

Self Guided 7 Days / 6 Nights

Cycle through medieval bastide towns, past fortified castles and pretty villages such as Monpazier and La Roque Gageac, classified as “ most beautiful villages of France “.
Your route will take you over gentle rolling hills, through fertile valleys and through wild forests - you will be constantly rewarded with superb views – a hill top chateau, a turreted manor house surrounded by walnut trees, quaint villages, until you reach the charming medieval town of Sarlat.
The gastronomy and local food are inherent to both region’s identity. Don’t miss a taste of typical dishes like the prized black truffles, mushrooms, foie gras and duck confit.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Agen halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Day 2 The Lot Valley: Agen to Penne d'Agenais, 45kms:

Follow beautiful countryside roads as you leave Agen and reach the charming medieval bastide of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Take time to visit the Foie Gras Museum, the main square, the towers of Pujols and Paris, half-timbered houses from 17th and 18th centuries and the Cieutat bridge.

Day 3: Penne d’Agenais to Monpazier - 50 kms

Cycle towards the bastide town of Monflanquin, classified as one of “the most beautiful villages in France.” Reach the fortress of Gavaudun then on to Biron, known for its fortified castle. Cycle through a typical Périgord landscape of oak and chestnut forest and old stone walls to reach the remarkable medieval bastide of Monpazier which is the best preserved bastide of the Périgord and of the South West.

Day 4: Monpazier to Cadouin - 45 kms

Follow the ‘Route des bastides’ from Monpazier to discover 13thC English bastides and interesting religious monuments. End your day in the Black Périgord, the most famous tourist area of the Dordogne. It is known for its castles, prehistoric sites, medieval villages and its landscapes.

Day 5: Cadouin to Sarlat - 50 kms

Discover the beautiful castles of the Black Perigord – Les Milandes, Castelnaud and Beynac sited on top of a crag. An ancient river harbour carved in the cliff, the Roque Gageac will amaze you. Sarlat is one of the jewels of the region with its cobbled streets, and old stone walls built during the 9thC around a large Benedictine abbey plus its cathedral and mansions of golden stone, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Day 6: Circuit ride: Sarlat- Les Eyzies – Sarlat - 45 kms

Cycle in the heart of the Vezere valley: capital of prehistory.
Take your pick from caves, rock shelters or the excellent museum in Les Eyzies. This village, built on a cliff, has numerous pre-historic rock dwellings dating back 460,000 years! An optional tour is to Montignac to visit the cave of Lascaux, to see the famous prehistoric paintings that line the walls; nicknamed “the Sistine Chapel of prehistory”.

Day 7

Arrangements end in Sarlat.

Terrain

Moderate. Cycling on cycle ways and small roads through rolling countryside with some steep hills. A good level of fitness required.

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