Difficulty Rating : 6 Start : Les Eyzies Finish : Les Eyzies Terrain : Flat or slightly undulating, mainly on dedicated paths Daily Average : 40km Weekly Average : 304km Tour Type : Group Teaser : The Dordogne is one of the most spectacular and fascinating areas you are ever likely to visit.
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The Dordogne is one of the most spectacular and fascinating areas you are ever likely to visit. Dominated by one of France's longest rivers it has sculpted stunning river valleys, towering cliffs and gorges, which in turn has shaped the wonderful culture and history of this unforgettable place.

It boasts some of the world's most dramatic caves, navigable underground rivers and stalactites more than 250 feet in length. It is also known as 'The Capital of Prehistory', with many of the best examples of early settlement and prehistoric art. Everywhere you look there are great castles and fortified towns and villages built into cliff faces.

The cuisine of the Perigord is among the most famous in France, particularly as the home of the truffle and of fois gras, and for a cuisine based entirely on ducks, pigs and geese. If you are interested in prehistoric forts, cave paintings, medieval castles, huge caves and rural scenery then this tour is for you!

The tour includes a collection to and from Angouleme / Perigueux train station to the first and last hotel ( set times on the group tour )

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arriving in the Dordogne

However you decide to travel, we arrive in the Dordogne at Les Eyzies on Saturday evening. Part of the charm of the Dordogne is that, for centuries, it was cut off from the outside world and remains amazingly unspoilt. It is still hard to penetrate and for that reason you should be prepared for an early evening arrival followed by a quick freshen-up before dinner.
We stay at Le Moulin de la Beune, one of the highlights of our entire tour where we can be sure of a warm welcome from Phillippe and Zhanna. This delightful hotel sits on the banks of the river Beune, just upstream from where the Beune joins the Vézère, and we will eat tonight from some of Philippe’s Périgord specialities in the Restaurant au Vieux Moulin.
Les Eyzies is a small village of 900 people, but it styles itself the Capital of Prehistory - and with some justification.
As well as the National Museum of Prehistory, Les Eyzies boasts the settlement of Cro Magnon, where the earliest example of homo sapiens, or thinking man, was discovered. Nearby is one of the oldest sculptures in the world, a 20,000 year-old fish at the Abri de Poisson, and the Font de Gaume, site of some of the most important cave-paintings in the world.
The paintings of Bison and Deer at Font de Gaume are the only polychromatic paintings still open to the public anywhere in the world. It’s very, very difficult to visit the caves, especially as a group. But we’ll see plenty of pre-historic action during our week.

Day 2

Beynac (56 kms)

Time to get on your bike. Today we follow the Vézère to Limeuil where it meets the Dordogne. On the way here we will pass through Le Bugue which is a great place to have our first coffee stop and pick up supplies for a picnic on the river bank if we choose to. Picnic or not, we’ll have lunch in Limeuil, a beautiful bastide town, and where the rivers meet is a great place for a swim. Before lunch we’ll have a brief stop at the church of St Martin, built in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart to placate a vengeful God following the assassination of the Archbishop of Canterbury by Richard’s father, Henry II of England.
In the afternoon we follow the Dordogne along quiet roads and pass the Châteaux of Beynac and Castelnaud facing each other across the Dordogne. Fans of Josephine Baker may be interested to see her old home at theChâteau des Milandes. We finish the day at Beynac, a picturesque village beside the Dordogne dominated by its castle set on a cliff 500 feet above. The castle was once visited by a certain Richard The Lionheart and is well worth a look. You can reach it by an absurdly steep path called the Basketmakers path - but not very quickly, and I dare say not very often if you can help it.
More recently, Beynac played host to the river scenes from the movie Chocolat. We will stay tonight in the Hostellerie Malevile and eat in the family’s restaurant perched on the bank of the Dordogne.

Day 3

Our First Real Climb (48 kms)

On Monday morning, we visit Château Castelnau, the perennial enemy of Beynac. Although both châteaux were held by the English and French armies, nobody ever held both at the same time, and Castelnau has a fascinating medieval warfare museum dedicated to this period of history.
A short ride upstream from Beynac, we pass La Roque Gageac, an amazing town built into the side of a cliff beside the Dordogne, rated as the third site in France and originally built as a prehistoric fort. We also get our first shot at a decent hill on the way up to Domme.
Domme sits 450 feet above the Dordogne and has famous panoramic views of the river. Known as the 'Acropolis of the Périgord', Domme was a key battleground in both The Hundred Years War and The Wars of Religion.
It is still surrounded by a medieval wall and is one of the best preserved of all the Bastide towns. (medieval towns built in south-west France and usually easily recognised by their well-planned, grid system of streets) It was used to imprison the Knights Templar in the 14th century, and on top of all this is the site of some interesting limestone caves.
From Domme to Payrac we go cross-country on tiny roads and see barely a soul. This is beautiful riding countryside where you will be assailed by the scent of strawberries, plums, blackberries and figs.
Today is a tough day - 30 miles – and probably the hilliest of the week but the swimming pool in the hotel at Calés and the superb food this evening are welcome and well-deserved.

Day 4

Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac (44 kms)

As we leave Calés this morning, down a simply breath-taking descent, notice how the landscape has changed from the lush farmland of yesterday to the arid limestone causses on the way to Rocamadour. At the base of the first descent is the ancient fortified mill of Cougnaguet. This enchanting pocket of French history gives us a fascinating insight into the lawlessness of this region during the 13th century.
Leaving the mill, we can head across country on the old pilgrim’s way into Rocamadour, one of the most spectacular towns in France, clinging to the side of a cliff hundreds of feet above the Alzou Gorge. The town developed around the site of a 13th century hermitage, and is now ranked as the second site in France. Michelin gave Rocamadour 3*** - worth a journey in itself - and it is unforgettable.
The afternoon is easier than this morning's climb but you can make up for this if you choose to use the stairs rather than the elevator when we visit the Gouffre de Padirac, a massive cavern leading to an underground river with spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations. Another Michelin 3*** attraction, and although the staff are bad even by French standards of customer service, the Gouffre de Padirac is unmissable. The underground journey, including a boat trip along the river will last around an hour and you should ensure you have
something warm to wear.

By the time we emerge from the cave, it is usually late afternoon, and a 5-mile cycle ride brings us to the Hotel
Lou Cantou in Loubressac, and the tender mercies of the Cayrousse family. Loubressac sits on the edge of the
Causses, and we get beautiful views across both the Dordogne and Bavé valleys.

Day 5

Valley of the Dordogne (48 kms)

There is an excellent downhill cycle ride into the village of Autoire and on the way here we should certainly stop at the overlook and admire the superb Cirque d’Autoire, a limestone horse-shoe dominating the valley. From Autoire we head across country into St Céré where, two Wednesdays each month, there is a great food market- great for picnic fodder. Out of St Céré we pass the huge and ruined castle at Castelnau and arrive back at the Dordogne. We follow the Dordogne downstream to Carennac, rated by some as the most beautiful village on the Dordogne, and a great place for a picnic.
After Carennac the road twists and turns as it follows the Dordogne, we cross the river a couple of times and pass the spot where the underground river from the Gouffre de Padirac enters the Dordogne. We pass several minor châteaux on our way to Gluges, where the pool catches the late afternoon sun and offers a perfect end to the day.
Although we cycle more than 30 miles today, it is the easiest 30 miles you're ever likely to ride with the disappointing exception of what always seems to me like a wholly unnecessary hill just before Gluges. But you’re not too far from a beer at journey’s end.

Day 6

Sarlat-la-Caneda (57 kms)

This stretch of the Dordogne cuts right through the limestone causses offering spectacular gorges and cliffs. Our route criss-crosses the river using back-roads to avoid some unseemly hills, but nearly everybody misses the first stretch altogether, opting to canoe downstream to Pinsac. This stretch of the river is home to kingfishers and herons.
After lunch we follow tiny backroads from Souillac to Sarlat-la-Caneda, entering the town on a cycle path built on a disused railway. One look at the traffic queues in Sarlat will make you very happy you cycled here.
Our hotel is the Hotel Compostelle, a beautifully modernised hotel near the heart of the old town. Sarlat is so well preserved that it also rates 3*** from Michelin. During this week you could be forgiven for imagining thatMichelin give 3*** away like confetti. But if you look at their guide books for other regions, you can see that there are hardly any sites awarded 3***. It’s just that the Dordogne valley really is that good.
Tonight we stroll into the labyrinthine old town to Les Jardins d'Harmonie for a meal that, I think, rivals even Monday’s dinner in Calés. You will have to judge for yourselves

Day 7

Sarlat ~ Les Eyzies (35 kms)

This is the last day of our cycling holiday, so we've put in a ‘couple of hills’. Do you remember how we described Monday as ‘probably the hilliest day of the week’? Well, today is why we inserted the probably but it’ll be okay – Friday’s route is just to show you how fit you've become. Once we leave Sarlat we turn onto tiny country roads that lead to the hilltop town of Marquay and beautiful views across the Vézère and Beune valleys.
Descending to the Vézère we've arrived back in prehistory territory. We pass the Abri de Cap Blanc with its sculptures on the way to the amazing prehistoric fort at La Roque St Christophe. This village was carved out of overhanging galleries in a 900 metre limestone cliff. It was continuously inhabited from 50,000 BC until the 16th century at which point it was destroyed by the English. (Sorry everyone.)
There are records of the settlement in Roman accounts - although they never managed to capture it - and also in 16th century government record in Paris where details of the fireplaces were kept to levy 'hearth taxes'. This place is incredible - for me the most amazing site we visit all week. You can identify the church, rings cut in the roofs to hang food, and even safes and water stores.
Les Eyzies is another 5 miles, and if we haven’t been able to visit the Font de Gaume, there is the National Prehistory Museum to round off a real prehistory day.
Sadly, this is the end of our cycling holiday in the Dordogne, and we have definitely earned a beer or several sat at Le Moulin de la Beune on the banks of the Beune.

  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • All evening meals
  • Luggage transfers
  • Route notes and maps
  • Tour guide that accompanies the group
  • Bike hire, with panniers, water bottle, helmet, etc.
  • Details of all hotels and restaurants
  • All routes available in GPS form
  • Set transfer to from Angouleme/Perigueux train station 

E-bikes available for €190 supplement

We use Trek 7300 FX Hybrid 24 speed touring bike with aluminium frame and Shimano gear system.

One this tour the guide cycles with you, however each person has their own route details. There is no “sag” wagon as such but we can arrange to collect the weary!!
The maximum group size on these tours is fifteen people and one, sometimes two guides.

Comfortable cycling clothing – padded cycling shorts and cycling gloves are invaluable.
Training shoes are fine for cycling.
Hat, sunglasses, suntan lotion, swimwear.
Casual clothes for evening. You may be grateful for something warm with long sleeves.
Helmets, though not obligatory in France, are highly recommended. To be sure of comfort we suggest you bring your own helmet, however, in the event that you need a helmet, they are provided.

What a wonderful trip. Every morning the day was before us like a Christmas present waiting to be unwrapped and we were never disappointed. The day always started with a nice breakfast and then an overview of the day. We had about 30 minutes after breakfast to pack and get ready for the day. The roads we travelled were filled with the most beautiful scenery which included rivers, small towns, farms with fields of sunflowers, corn, tobacco, herds of dairy cattle as well as the plentiful walnut and fruit orchards.
After our afternoon ride, we would arrive at our hotel - each one more charming than the last was; our luggage was always waiting for us. Dinner was always fabulous.
I would give this trip 10 stars out of 10.
Nancy Webb

I had a truly wonderful trip. The region was beautiful and the route was perfect. I also very much enjoyed the meals at the end of the day.
Christina Nelson

The Dordogne tour was wonderful. Wonderful scenery, great company, lovely hotels and delicious food. We cycled through the most stunning countryside. Bernard was an excellent guide. Thanks so much
Tess McLaughlin

2025 GROUP TOUR  
€2080 per person sharing
+€455 single room supplement ( if travelling on your own we will endeavour to find a roommate for you )

Self Guided Tour Information

Self guided not available at the moment

How to get to the start point:

Local airports: Bordeaux and Angouleme Cognac Airport are well placed. 

All details on trains in France are available through the website RailEurope.com. (If you drive you can leave your car at the first hotel.)

On arrival at Angouleme train station you will be met by a tour representative and brought by minibus (90 miles/approx. 2 hrs) to the starting point at Les Eyzies de Tayac. These are the only transfers that we arrange, so it is very important that you are on the right train.
Note: On the group tour the times shown are the only transfers we arrange.

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.    As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

Les Eyzies de Tayac

Day 1 & 7: Le Moulin de la Beune

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Beynac

Day 2: Hotel Maleville

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Cales

Day 3: Le Petit Relais

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Loubressac

Day 4: Hotel Lou Cantou

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Gluges

Day 5: Hotel Les Falaises

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Sarlat

Day 6: Hotel Compostelle

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Tour Date Options

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If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
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  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.