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 Resources Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive Les Eyzies

We will arrange collection from Angouleme train station and transfer you to Le Moulin de la Beune in Les Eyzies.

Our host, George Soulié, specialises in local cuisine and was awarded a ‘Toque’ by influential French restaurant guide Gault et Millau.

Day 2

Les Eyzies to Beynac (56 kms)

Our cycle starts by following the Vézère to its meeting with the Dordogne at Limeuil. This beautiful bastide town was once a strategic crossing point, but more importantly it’s a great place for a swim! After lunch in Limeuil, we follow the Dordogne upstream, passing the Château de Milandes and Chateau Castelnaud on our way to Beynac, a small riverside village below the magnificent fortress of Beynac. We stay at the Hostellerie Maleville in Beynac, and dine by the banks of the Dordogne

Day 3

Beynac ~ Payrac (48 kms)

Today we visit a couple of spectacular sites and venture into the wilds of France. The intrepid may walk up to Chateau Beynac, but everybody should visit Castelnaud as we cycle past, with its impressive museum of medieval warfare. From Castelnaud we follow the Dordogne through Roque Gageac to Domme, a beautifully walled bastide atop a memorable hill – but the views are worth it! Your afternoon ride takes you on tiny back-roads through empty farmlands (with the opportunity of strawberry scrumping in season), through the limestone causes on your way to Cales.

Day 4

Cales ~ Loubressac (43 kms)

Today starts with a wonderful downhill to a fascinating fortified flour mill – the owner will almost certainly offer you some homemade eau de vie – say ‘Yes’ your peril!. A long but gentle climb brings you to Rocamadour, a spectacular town clinging to the side of the Alzou gorge. Your next stop is the famous cave of Padirac, with a boat trip 700 feet beneath the ground that takes you underneath a 250-foot Stalactite. Amazing! Tonight we stay at Loubressac, a truly beautiful village.

Day 5

Loubressac ~ Gluges (44 kms)

A lovely, easy ride starting with a slight uphill, then a dramatic descent through the beautiful gorge of Autoire heading for St Céré. From here you return to the Dordogne and follow it downstream to the tiny village of Gluges nestled beneath imposing cliffs.

Day 6

Gluges ~ Sarlat (61 kms)

This morning you can choose to canoe down the Dordogne and meet up with your bikes after a couple of hours on the river. In the afternoon you follow the south bank of the Dordogne, taking a cycle path along an old railway line into Sarlat-la-Caneda. Though it’s busy, Sarlat is particularly beautiful, especially the medieval centre with its honey-coloured stone. You stay at the Hotel Compostelle and can eat in style at the Restaurant Criquettamu's in the heart of the old town.

Day 7

Sarlat ~ Les Eyzies (53 kms)

A morning cycling through the beautiful countryside will take you via a coffee stop in Marquay to the prehistoric fortress of Roque St. Christophe, perhaps the most spectacular visit of a pretty spectacular week. Your last ride is a gentle 10km back to Les Eyzies, the chance to enjoy a cold beer on the banks of the river at the Moulin de la 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
  • Chain Gang Cycling jersey
  • Vineyard tasting fees
  • Set transfer to from Angouleme/Perigueux train station 

E-bikes available for €175 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 (Dordogne group, 2017)

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 (Dordogne 2015)

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 (Dordogne Group tour August 2016)

2024 GROUP TOUR  
€2180 per person sharing
+€435 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. 
Bordeaux airport. Take the train from Bordeaux to Les Eyzies, and we'll arrange collection from the train station. 

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 ,  on self Guided tours you can arrive at any time at our designated train stations.

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

Les Eyzies de Tayac image 1Les Eyzies de Tayac image 1

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

Gluges image 1Gluges image 1

Sarlat

Day 6: Hotel Compostelle

Sarlat image 1Sarlat image 1

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available



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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

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 €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing 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.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • 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.