Bike Tours France
2012
April 5th F
April 19th S/B
June 6th F
July 15th
July 29th F
Sept 23rd
S/B =
Short Break
F = Full
Lot & Dordogne Discovery
Bike Tour France
7 days/6 nights
The Lot & Dordogne Discovery bike tour invites you to explore and discover both the beautiful sweeping landscapes of the Lot and the rugged, dramatic cliffs and valleys of the Dordogne.
Magnificent mediaeval chateaux, ancient dwellings carved into the rocky cliffs and pretty, perfectly preserved bastide towns beautifully illustrate the amazing prehistoric mystery and the fascinating meievil history 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.
On this cycling tour you stay with us for the whole week, so you can relax, unpack and unwind from the moment you arrive.
The following itinerary provides some detai lof what to expect. We are very flexible and 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!
Email us to check availability or find out more
Download this page as a pdf
Day 1
(Sunday)
Welcome
We meet you at either Bergerac airport 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.
(Monday)
Spectacular sites along the River Dordogne.
This is a mostly flat route following the river valley
to give you a nice gentle introduction to your cycling holiday week.
Your first day takes you into the Dordogne to discover fairytale chateaux, historic riverside towns and dramatic cliff-top views. 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, 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
(Tuesday)
Vers and Lot river valleys to St Cirq Lapopie
You'll start by cycling east across stunning countryside and along lovely wide, shady, forest roads before joining the Vers valley to cycle south towards the River Lot. This road has stunning views as you sweep between the high limestone rocky outcrops that line the valley.
You then join the Lot valley and cycle to the pretty small towns of Vers, St Gery and Bouzies before crossing the river and climbing up to St Cirq Lapopie. St Cirq is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France and is definitely worthy of this accolade. Its maze of steeply sloping, narrow, cobbled streets is lined with pretty, interesting, old houses, whose stone or wood frontages date from the 13th to 16th centuries.
You will have time to enjoy a well-earned beer at one of the many cafes as well as to explore this lovely village. As we return home you'll have the option to visit the Grottes de Pechmerle to see the prehistoric cave paintings of early man.
Cycling distance is approximately 24m/39k
Explore ancient Sarlat with its beautifully preserved medieval centre.
Today you will again be transported back to the middle ages as you visit Sarlat in the Dordogne, one of the best preserved medieval cities in France.
To get there you'll cycle through pretty sleepy villages and quiet countryside as well as on a cycle path that follows the old railway cutting along the Marcillande valley. It makes for a nice easy relaxing cycle route with virtually no traffic.
Have lunch in one of Sarlat's many restaurants and cafes and then explore the maze of narrow lanes and ancient streets around the cathedral and medieval cité, with amazing sights to see around every corner.
We'll drive you home at the end of the afternoon for another delicious dinner.
Cycling distance is approximately 19m/32k
(Thursday)
Enchanting 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
(Friday)
Lot Valley, vistas and villages - and wine tasting!
In the afternoon you'll continue southwards and make your way towards the Lot River Valley and the pretty town of Luzech. You'll get there via the amazing views from the Col de Crayssac and the spectacular downhill, switchback sweep of the route de Cevenne - a thrilling ride!
You can then meander through the AOC Cahors vineyards (along the Cahors Wine Trail and Lot Valley Cycle Route) and the chateaux of Caix, Parnac, Caillac and into pretty Douelle. Here we'll meet at a riverside bar before driving to a chateau for some wine tasting and then returning to Mas de Flory for your final fabulous dinner.
Cycling distance is approximately 29m/46k
(Saturday)
Au revoir
We wish you bonne route and hope you enjoyed your stay - a bientot!
Biking tours start on a Sunday and finish the following Saturday and include all of the following:
- Accommodation as stated in 'Our hospitality'
- 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
Youtube Slideshow of this tour
HD Video of Rocamadour
See our other biking tour:
Lot Valley, Vistas and Villages
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Lot Cycling Holidays © 2008 - 2012
Mas de Flory
Degagnac 46340
France
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