Eight
days, cycling with flat and hilly options. Quiet
roads through lush river valleys and beautiful
stone villages, with visits to castles, and caves
displaying pre-historic paintings.
These river
valleys have been populated for millennia,
for very obvious reasons; their beauty and
fertility are unsurpassed, and the profusion
of châteaux suggests the passionate history
of this coveted landscape. Cycling from one
medieval village to another, you will marvel
at how little things seem to have changed with
the passage of time. Behind the lazy riverbanks
and cliffside villages, chestnut and oak forests
hide entrances to caves whose walls have been
decorated by stone-age artists. Words fail
to convey how moving seeing these 20,000 year-old
paintings can be. Despite their age, they still
display deep knowledge of the human condition.
“Picnics
were outstanding!”
–
Nancy Peters, Dordogne
Starting near the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère
Rivers, you will cross from Rocamadour to the Célé
and Lot Rivers, and finish near their confluence in
St.Cirq-Lapopie
This trip stands out
as being exceptional. The cycling is virtually perfect,
on quiet and consistently beautiful routes. The lodging
is so comfortable your toes will curl, and the culinary
temptations will fuel you for each day’s interests
and pleasures. If you dream of pampered cycling in
France, this is the trip for you!
The
Details:
“We
loved our cycling trip in France – the scenery
– the people – the fabulous hotels
– the food… and the TLC provided by
our guide. He was there for us every mile…
I can’t say enough about his contribution
to the success of our trip. Thanks to one and all
for helping us make memories that will last a lifetime.”
–
Susan and Don Katz, Dordogne
Guided
Cost:
C$4495 US$4285
(per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, light
picnic lunches, 4 dinners, Font de Gaume admission, route
notes, maps, luggage handling, van and guide support)
Route Notes: 30 - 80km
daily. Relaxed riders enjoy level cycling
with some van transfers. Advanced riders
can stray from the riverbanks for the hilly
options, and diversity of exploration.
There is an abundance of fabulous cycling
here!
Bordeaux train station.
14:00, day one. TGV (high-speed train) from Paris
CDG airport takes 3½ hours.
Finish:
Cahors train station,
09:00 day eight. Regular train connections available
to Toulouse, Bordeaux, or Paris. Train to Paris
CDG airport takes 5 hours.
2010 Guided
Dates:
Apr 24-May 1; May 22-29;
Sep 25-Oct 2. Call to check for updates or add
a new date.
2010 Self-Guided Dates:
You Choose!
2011 Guided
Dates:
Call to check for updates.
All details and pricing are subject to
change without notice.
The Plan:
-
Day to Day Itinerary -
Day
1: Pick up in Bordeaux at 14:00 for van transfer
to Tremolat. Optional pickup at the train station in nearby
St. Emilion – a charming golden cobble-stoned town, famous
for macaroons as well as for exceptional wines. D
Lodging:
Le Vieux Logis, Tremolat, www.relaischateaux.fr/vieuxlogis
Day 2: 29, 62, or 83 km;
flat or hilly options. Cycle from Le
Bugue to the ancient and lovely town of Limeuil at
the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère
Rivers, then on through Le Bugue to Les Eyzies de
Tayac. Visit the famous Grotte de Font-de-Gaume,
with its awe-inspiring prehistoric paintings. Return
to Tremolat for an exquisite dining and lodging experience.
BL
Lodging:
Same as last night
Day 3: 63 km.
Ride to pretty Vitrac and the clifftop village of
Domme, via St. Cyprien and riverside Le Rocque Gageac,
with its homes beneath and carved right into cliffs
at the water’s edge. A visit to medieval Sarlat
is optional. Rest in an exquisite hotel where every
room has an eagle’s view of the river below,
or a magnificent country estate, where you can choose
to dine in superb French style. BL
Lodging:
Hotel de l’Esplanade, Domme, www.hotels-restau-dordogne.org;
or Domaine de Rochebois,
Sarlat, www.rochebois.com
Day 4: 54 km.
Ride to the fortifies vertical town of Rocamadour,
following the banks of the Dordogne. You’ll
stop at the magnificent Montfort Castle panoramically
overlooking a bend in the river below. Stop in Souillac
to see the amazing bas-relief carvings in the cathedral
and visit Les Grottes de Lacave, before finding the
secluded hotel where you’ll rest for the next
two nights. BLD
Lodging: Domaine
de La Rhue, Rocamadour, www.domainedelarhue.com
“…the
best trip ever taken, I loved the entire experience.”
– Yolande Hall, Dordogne & Lot
Day 5: 73 km loop ride.
Early visit to La Gouffre de Padirac, a magnificent
cave system partially explored by boat, then cycle
to Loubressac, one of the most beautiful villages
in France, and Carrenac. Return via St. Sozy and
Meyronne. These are all outstandingly charming villages,
surrounded by gorgeous farm estates, and filled with
beautiful old stone architecture steeped in historic
charm. BD
Lodging:
Same as last night
Day 6: 72 km on exceptionally
quiet roads. Morning exploration of
the medieval village of Rocamadour, which houses
the Christian relic scholars believe is the body
of Jesus’ friend Zacchaeus. Leaving Rocamadour,
meander through quiet rural countryside to the valleys
of the Lot and Cele Rivers, where beautiful houses
are perched on the sides of cliffs, and farmland
abounds. BL
Lodging:
Château de Mercues, Cahors, www.chateaudemercues.com
Day 7: 50, 60, or 120
km. Cycle downstream to visit to Les
Grottes de Peche Merle and its 25,000 year old paintings
(that’s not a typo!). Continue to the fantastic
village perchée of St.Cirq-La Popie and back,
enjoying the quiet and pretty roads and towpaths
on the banks of the Lot River. Afternoon transfer
to your château for a sumptuous final night
with dinner. BD
Lodging:
Same as last night
Day 8: Morning departure, and transfers
to the train station in Cahors.
Home 
The
Details: 
Day
1: Pick up in Bordeaux at 14:00 for van transfer
to Tremolat. Optional pickup at the train station in nearby
St. Emilion – a charming golden cobble-stoned town, famous
for macaroons as well as for exceptional wines. D