Start Dates

May 30th
July 4th
July 18th
Sept 12th

Dordogne - History, Mystery & Chateaux

Price: £995/1099€

The Dordogne History, Mystery and Chateaux cycling tour allows you to explore and discover this land of amazing prehistoric mystery and wonder and the fascinating history of the middle ages in magnificent mediaeval chateaux, hill-top castles and pretty, perfectly preserved bastide towns.

On this cycling holiday you stay with us for the whole week, so you can relax, unpack and unwind from the moment you arrive. Then, each day from the comfort of 'home', you can explore a fresh part of the widely varying terrain of this stunning region. From lush river valley to gently rolling countryside, to shady green forest and rocky limestone causse, our routes sweep the meandering and undulating quiet backroads to reveal amazing new vistas around every bend.

The following itinerary provides an outline of what to expect. All distances can be reduced or lengthened according to your preferences and you can always opt to take a day off and have a rest from cycling if you wish - the beauty of a single-base holiday!

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Itinerary

Day 1
(Sunday)
Welcome

We meet you at either Sarlat or Gourdon rail station and drive you to Mas de Flory, your home for the week.
Relax and unwind with a glass of fizz while you settle in and later enjoy a long, lazy and delicious gourmet meal 4 courses with plenty of wine and coffee to finish and meet your fellow guests for the week.

Day 2
(Monday)
Spectacular sites along the River Dordogne.

After a substantial buffet breakfast you'll be fitted with your bike and have time to check that everything is comfortable before setting off at your leisure for your first cycle tour.
This is a mostly flat route following the river valley
to give you a nice gentle introduction to your cycling holiday week.
Fairytale chateaux, open countryside and riverside towns greet you in the Dordogne.
As a cyclist, you'll want beautiful scenery - and the Dordogne certainly delivers. Discover picturesque villages perched on the river banks such as the spectacular, historic riverside settlement of La Roque Gageac, the magnificent Chateau de Beynac towering high on the cliff top and pretty Domme, perched high above the river and beautifully preserved from the 12th century.
Cycling distance is approximately 27m/43k

Day 3
(Tuesday)
Monpazier - Belves - Castelnaud

Today you ride quiet, sweeping backroads across to Monpazier, a typical bastide town founded in the 13th century by King Edward 1st; it has remained remarkably unchanged during its seven hundred year long existence.
Next you'll cycle to Belves, a seven-belfried medieval city perched high on a hilltop which was fortified in the 11th century because of its strategic position. The ancient market square is today surrounded by bars and cafes and makes a great lunch stop.
After lunch you'll make your way to Catelnaud with it's dominant medieval chateau built across the river to face its rival the Chateau de Beynac, which you visited yesterday.
Cycling distance is approximately 39m/62k

Day 4 (Wednesday)
Explore ancient Sarlat with its beautifully preserved medieval centre.

Today you will again be transported back to the middle ages as you visit Sarlat, one of the best preserved mediaeval cities in France. Explore the streets around the cathedral and the streets to the north of the old town - you will soon become lost in the maze of narrow lanes, with something new to see around every corner.
Cycling distance is approximately 20m/32k

Day 5
(Thursday)
Enchanting Rocamadour

Cycle through the stunning regional park, le Causse du Quercy, through valley roads with spectacular views en route to amazing Rocamadour.
Carved dramatically into the limestone cliffs, this ancient village clings precariously to the hillside, presenting a visually magical site. It has been a destination for religious pilgrims for the last thousand years and is now the site for a monastery as well as a point on the pilgrimage to St Jaques de Compostella in northern Spain. You'll have plenty of time to explore before we drive you back to Mas de Flory where you can relax before another great meal.
Cycling distance is approximately 30m/49k

Day 6
(Friday)
Lacave to Padirac and pretty villages

Some of the most beautiful natural scenery of the week awaits you today as you cycle further north in the Dordogne.
Lacave is your first stop and in this pretty village you could visit the impressive caves with their underground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites. Also included on this cycle tour is the Gouffre de Padirac with its stunning underground chasm and the lovely typically french country villages of Carennac, Loubressac and Autoire. The quiet undulating roads sweep across the stunning landscape revealing breathtaking panoramic vistas at every turn.
Cycling distance is approximately 30m/49k

Day 7
(Saturday)
Au revoir

After a leisurely breakfast we'll drive you to Gourdon rail station or Bergerac airport to meet your homeward connection.
We wish you bonne route and hope you enjoyed your stay - a bientot!

Cycling holidays start on a Sunday and finish the following Saturday and include all of the following:

Accommodation as stated in 'At Mas de flory'
Breakfasts and 4-course evening meals with wine
Bike hire, routes and maps and full cycling support as stated in 'Cycling Holidays '
Transfers to and from Gourdon rail station or Bergerac airport, as required