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Welcome to Hooked on Cycling Holidays and our cycling holiday in the Dordogne and Lot Valleys. Our cycling holiday in this wonderful French region is available as a 7 night self led level 2-3 tour which can be started on any day of the week. This region of France is a wonderful location for your French cycling holiday with major River valleys clad in green woods and forests. Often as though hanging from cliff edges you see many sandstone fortified villages. Great Chateaux and romantic ancient villages are just some of the delights to see on your French cycle tour. Our road based French tour in the Dordogne and Lot Valleys has become a very popular cycling holiday for us. In this region the lush green landscape is broken by the Dordogne , Lot , Tarn and Cele rivers . Here many villages dating back to the 12th century lie perched on cliff faces over looking the sparkling rivers below. Beautiful sandstone coloured houses stand out from the green pastures of the surrounding scenery . History is on every corner with ancient castles , mansions , churches , prehistoric caves and old villages to explore. The roads are small and quiet making each days cycling a pleasurable experience with the French climate. Spend time to explore the bustle of the French villages on market day where local tradesmen and farmer trade their wares . The region is also filled with many prehistoric treasures where you can sit back and believe time has stood still. One item you must also not forget and that is the wonderful French food with many local delights to flavour. The regions best known specialties are ‘Fois Gras’ truffles and preserved meat ‘confit’. The wonderful soil and climate also make the region ideal for fruit , the Dordogne is France’s highest producing region for strawberries. The famous wines of the region are the wonderful red wines of Cahors and Bergerac. Join us on your biking vacation in France.
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Available daily from April - October
Level 2-3 self guided tour
Day 1
Arrive in Gourdon .If you have time explore this medieval town with its old houses and little streets. From the rear of the hotel you can see the medieval town with its sandstone  coloured church.
Day 2 Gourdon to Rocamadour 43 miles 70km
A splendid pilgrimage route will lead you through a canyon to Rocamadour perchedhigh on the hillside. Wonder at the historic town with its monastery and many ancient buildings . Cycling across the Gramat limestone plateau which is an arid region with specific flora , its a land of Orchids intermingled with ancient villages. Time appears to have no effect in this area. Shepherds stone huts called Cazelles are seen in the fields , these are some 3000 years old and are circular shape with conical roofs of flat stones. Rocamadour itself is a maze of tiny streets an steps on different levels. If you fancy wildlife then head across the valley to the wildlife park with monkeys roaming around the public areas!.
Day 3 Roccamadour to Sarlat 38 miles 62km
Ride down the Dordogne valley among other grand sites. First a Byzantine abbey in the heart of Souillac city. From Souillac we continue downstream passing Fenelon Castle. The Chateaux raised a few hundred metres above the river is an amazing place to visit. After your visit continue beside the river before taking the climb to the Bastide town of Domme. The viewing area of the town overlooking the valley is the location of photos of the Dondogne River that most popel see. Why not viist the caves or just stroll around the ancient town. After your visit a quick descent before the final easy climb to Sarlat. Sarlat possibly one of the busiest towns of the region is stunning to explore. Take one of the guided tours run by the tourist information office and learn about its history. Visit the cathedral and walk the many tiny cobbled streets.
Day 4 Sarlat Loop ride 0-31miles 0-51km
Firstly today you return to the Dordogne River and you visit to La Roque. On the opposite side of the River is Domme and Castlenaud with its grand castle. Indeed this route can be called the Castle route due to its high density of awesome castles in this area. Some are now residences , others are fortified , some are museums . La Roque again a superbly pretty village with its houses reflecting in the river and its ancient cave houses high on the cliffs. After your visit you continue passing a Chateaux with large sculptured gardens and onto Castlenaud. Castlenaud has an internet museum illustrating medieval weapons and armour. We then continue downstream with a visit to ChateauxLes Milandes. Now crossing the Dordogne you make your way back on the undulating road to Sarlat.
Day 5 Sarlat to Les Eyzies 25 miles 40km
Today you will cycle through to Les Eyzies which appears to be the capital of prehistoric times with its caves and many prehistoric findings.To reach this prehistoric site we will take you via Chateaux Puymartin and Commarque.
Day 6 Les Eyzies Loop Ride 19-30 miles 30km-50km
Today you cycle in the Vezere valley which is inscribed on the Worlds Heritage Site list , the scenery is breathtaking and its preserved due to its many historic findings of national and world interest. On the days ride you can visit two prehistoric sites Abri de Cap Blanc and La Roque St-Christophe. The ride to Cap Blanc is cycle of 9 km one way. This i s a nice optional extention before or after the main ride. The main ride you cycle to the very charming village of St. Leon, past La Roque St. Christophe for an additional 30 km, the scenery is stunning.
Day 7 Les Eyzies to Gourdon 39 miles 61km
You ride through the green hills of the Bouriane, leaving the Vezere and Dordogne River valleys to return to the Lot Department. Although you will also leave the big and famous sights behind, there is much to see and appreciate on today’s ride. The landscape is lovely, and the visits we suggest are off the beaten path, and offer a more intimate glimpse into the history and culture of the region. The regular route is approximately 60km, mostly through river valleys, with only a few slight hills.
Day 8
Your tour is complete after breakfast .
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What is Included
- 7 Nights Bed and Breakfast
- 2 / 3 star hotels and country Inns
- 5 Evening dinners
- Information Pack
- Welcome meeting
- Luggage transfers
- Routes and Maps
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Extras
- 24 speed Rental Cycle
- Cost before and after tour
- Extra nights
- Single Supplement
- Travel Insurance
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Tariff 2009
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Tour Code : DORDOGC
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Single occupancy
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2 persons minimum
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Price per person based on two persons sharing double/twin room
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£624
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Bike Rental
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£66
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How to get there
By Car
To Gourdon where car parking is available
By Plane
By Plane to Toulouse airport where on arrival transfer by train
By Train
To Gourdon station which is connected to Paris Austerlitz station and serviced by high speed TGV Train , Paris to Gourdon in approx. 3.5 hours.
To view our other Cycling holidays in France
Click below to view our
Walking Holiday in France
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