Dordogne Castles & Caves

Day 1

Transfers are from Brive la Gaillard. Our hotel in Montignac is a stone’s throw from the River Vézère and here we make sure everybody is fitted with their bikes; a limbering up ride will take us up above the River Vézère to the celebrated caves of Lascaux II, where cave art representing the prehistoric civilisation of 15,000–20,000 years ago is hauntingly displayed. Afterwards we head back downhill to the hotel where a quick swim in the pool before dinner might be enticing. Dinner is at the hotel where we will look forward to the week ahead.

Day 2

We follow the River Vézère as it meanders downstream towards its confluence with the Dordogne passing the beautiful Chateau de Losse . This is a gentle introduction to France at its most idyllic. The next stop on our journey is the Roque St-Christophe, a fascinating site of dwellings carved from the cliff face dating back to Roman times and beyond. We then climb out of the valley before descending to the village of les Eyzies, where there is a wealth of prehistoric attractions. After visiting the village we will have lunch in les Eyzies, before hitting the road again to our stop for the night, just outside the market town of St-Cyprien. Our hotel is a converted farmstead with beautiful grounds and stupendous views, - take a stroll in the countryside discovering walnut and fig trees, or just relax by the pool with a cold beer! Dinner is a home-cooked treat – really something special!

Total distance: 47km

Day 3

Today is a busy day! Crossing the Dordogne, we stay on the south side of the river, following tiny roads with a panorama at every turn to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle with its 12th century castle, held by the English in the Hundred years war. From its battlements you can gaze across the river to the Chateau de Beynac, its French-held counterpart., standing on a cliff overlooking the village — the castle is protected by the 150 metre sheer drop to the river below. After visiting the castle we follow the River upstream to La Roque Gageac, a perfect village of ochre coloured stone nestling against the river.

In the afternoon we cross back to the south to visit the bastide town of Domme. The hill-top bastides were built during the 100 Years War as fortified strongholds, built in a grid pattern around a central square. Many of them changed hands several times from English to French control and back again. We then cross the river and head to our hotel in Sarlat-le-Canada, with one of the best-preserved medieval centres in France. We wander into the vieux ville for an aperitif before dinner.

Total distance: 37km (but hilly!)

Day 4

We stay in Sarlat tonight; this gives us plenty of time to visit the splendid weekly market in the morning, with an astounding selection of local produce, beautifully presented, and then to head off for sightseeing. One option today is to take a Canoe trip down the Dordogne, getting a different perspective on the Chateaux we have seen. Other attractions which you might want to see are the gardens of Marqueyssac, and the Chateau of Comarque. On the other hand you might just want to spend the day exploring Sarlat’s magical medieval lanes and alleys. Tonight we dine in the town.

Day 5

Heading back to the Dordogne, we reach it at the Cingle de Montfort, where a tight loop or cingle in the river creates a stunning vista. Crossing the river to pick up some un-trafficked riverside roads, we head upstream to the market town of Souillac for lunch by the Romanesque Abbey-Church. The remarkable carvings on the tympanum of the ruined church are well worth a closer look.

A few kilometres after Souillac we reach Lacave, where an underground train takes us to a guided tour of a series of caverns resplendent with stalactites and stalagmites, reflected in still pools of water. At Lacave we leave the river and head south, climbing through dramatic countryside to our overnight stop at Rocamadour. This spectacular village on the River Alzou has been a place of pilgrimage since the 10th Century, and above the town in the hillside is the Cité Réligeuse, where there are seven chapels.

Total distance: 54km

Day 6

Today we briefly leave the valley of the Dordogne and turn East onto the uplands of the Causse de Gramat, a sparsely populated limestone plateau where the only sounds are the chirruping of the cicadas and the ringing of sheep bells - the landscape a sharp contrast to the lush greens of the river valleys. Our first stop is the Gouffre de Padirac, a 75m chasm leading to a river flowing 103m underground. The underground journey is taken by boat and on foot.

After filling our waterbottles, the second leg of today's ride brings us to Autoire, another contender for the 'most beautiful villages of France' award. This perfect lunch spot also benefits from a spectacular 100ft waterfall.

After lunch, it’s a short ride to the Chateau de Castelnau-Bretenoux, another medieval masterpiece. We then take an easy ride alongside the Dordogne to our final hotel in the charming riverside town of Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne.

Total distance: 52km

Day 7

Breakfast at the hotel is a hearty affair, and there is a chance to check out the colourful morning market in the town's central covered halles before we make our way home.

“We had a great time. The food was exceptional; the guides were the best, they catered to our every need. A superb holiday.”

Carolyn Montgomery, Maine, USA.

“The Dordogne tour is a complete delight – Alan couldn’t have been a better guide.”

Margaret Miller, Victoria, Australia.

“Excellent value, great cycling routes. Can’t wait to do the next one!”

Carole Engelder, Texas, USA.

“Alan was outstanding in sorting out vegetarian meals, and for his wonderful picnics. An excellent tour, enjoyable in every aspect.”

Lea Stogdale, Manitoba, Canada.

“Dear Ruth,

“Carole and I recently returned from our Dordogne Tour and wanted to let you know that we very much enjoyed the trip – even better than lasts year's tour in Provence, though it too was heavenly. The Dordogne tour was in all respects a PERFECT holiday! Much kudos due to Alan and Chris for their attention to every detail.”

“Looking forward to more cycling holidays with FCH!

Eva Moldovanyi, Texas, USA.