Cycling through the forests, fields, and riverside villages of the Perigord is a journey back in time. Vineyards, market towns, renaissance and medieval castles, 13th century bastides, 12th century churches, troglodytic sites and prehistoric cave art...World class rides and spectacular views are assured.
Classic Tour (6/7 days)
Day 1: Les Eyzies to Lalinde.
Itinerary:
Limeuil - this old fortress village was for many centuries a port and safe haven for heavy barges. Limeuil's role as medieval arsenal and watchtower was established due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers.
Trémolat - with its 12th century Romanesque church, lunch in a café or restaurant.
Lalinde - one of the earliest bastides founded by the English in the 13th century. These fortified towns were designed for the defence and colonisation of the Perigord, as well as economic units.
distance: 40km. Overnight in Lalinde.
Day 2 (optional) : Vineyard Loop Ride.
Itinerary: West of Lalinde, through the undulating vineyards of the Bergerac wine region, to the Château de Monbazillac. This noble castle stands as a fine symbol for the famed vineyards that bear its name. The castle visit features a wine museum in the cellars and wine tasting, of course. After lunch in Monbazillac, there are many other vineyards producing red, white, rosé, and sweet wines on your route that can be visited for additional tastings. distance: 55km. Overnight in Lalinde.
Day 3: Lalinde to Cadouin or Montferrand.
Itinerary: Molières - the unfinished English bastide. St Avit Sénieur - with its massive fortified church. Monpazier - founded in 1285 by Edward I, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, Monpazier is the finest example and best preserved bastide in the region. Cadouin - this charming village in a remote valley of the Bessede forest grew around a 12th century Cistercian abbey.
distance: 45km. Overnight in Cadouin or Montferrand.
Day 4: Cadouin/Montferrand to Siorac/Coux et Bigaroque.
Itinerary: Option 1: Via Caesar's Camp, (50 B.C.) to Belvès - the hilltop medieval village. St Laurent la Vallée to Siorac. distance: 50km.
Option 2: Via Urval - with its medieval village bread oven, to Siorac, for an afternoon canoe trip.
distance: 20 km. Overnight in Siorac or Coux et Bigaroque.
Day 5: Siorac/Coux et Bigaroque to La Roque Gageac.
Itinerary: Château des Milandes - this 15th century Renaissance castle was eventually purchased by Josephine Baker, where she sought to create a "World Village", adopting children of different race, religion, and nationality. Château de Castelnaud - 13th century medieval castle with a museum featuring war in the middle ages. Domme - hilltop bastitde situated high on a rocky crag overlooking the Dordogne valley.
distance: 40 km. Overnight in La Roque Gageac.
Day 6: La Roque Gageac to Marquay/Tamniès
Itinerary: Château de Beynac - a formidable stronghold, with its 13th century keep, was one of the 4 baronies of the Périgord in the middle ages, and home to Richard the Lionheart. Meyrals - lunch in this artist's village (visits are welcome). Château de Commarque - "The forgotten fortress", inhabited since prehistoric times, and recently renovated and opened to the public.
distance: 45 km. Overnight in Marquay or Tamniès.
Day 7: Marquay/Tamniès to Les Eyzies.
Itinerary: La Roque St Christophe - this vast troglodytic site has been inhabited since the upper Paleolithic Age (40,000 years ago). La Madeleine - this important site gave its name to the Magdalenian Period (18,000 - 8,000 years ago). Rouffignac - its remarkable grotte features galleries adorned with engravings and paintings of horses, ibex, rhinoceroses, bison, and a great number of mammoths, including the "Patriarch".
distance: 50 km. Overnight Les Eyzies.
For longer or shorter tours, please contact us by email for suggestions: aquitainebike@gmail.com
Other Touring Options (for those who prefer less hotel changes)
2 nights in Les Eyzies, loop ride to prehistory and trogloditic sites.
Les Eyzies to Lalinde, via Limeuil and Trémolat.
2 nights in Lalinde, loop ride through the Bergerac vineyards.
Lalinde to Siorac, via St Avit Sénieur, Monpazier, and Cadouin. 2 nights in Siorac or Belvès, loop ride to Château des Milandes, Château de Castelnaud, La Roque Gageac, and Domme.
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3 days based in the VézèreValley (Les Eyzies), loop rides to prehistory sites, riverside villages, troglodytic sites, and medieval market towns.
3 days based in the DordogneValley (Siorac or Belvès), loop rides to bastides, medieval and renaissance castles, inspiring views.
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We post these tours as starting and finishing in Les Eyzies, which has regular train connections from the stations of Paris Austerlitz (via Limoges), or Paris Montparnasse (via Bordeaux). Tours can also start from Lalinde, which also has a train connection to Bordeaux, and is 20 km from Bergerac airport.
To reserve or for more information, please contact
Day 1: Les Eyzies to Lalinde.
Day 2 (optional) : Vineyard Loop Ride.
Day 3: Lalinde to Cadouin or Montferrand.
Day 4: Cadouin/Montferrand to Siorac/Coux et Bigaroque.
Day 5: Siorac/Coux et Bigaroque to La Roque Gageac.
