FRANCE - DORDOGNE VALLEY

CHATEAUX & VINEYARDS ROAD CYCLE TOUR
(8 Days)

Ride the quiet country back roads of the Dordogne Valley.
A tranquil area rich in history, tradition, and hospitality.

The area provides an unrivalled network of small country roads to enjoy rural France.

Enroute through the beautiful French countryside we take time to visit local wineries, quaint villages, and grand castles.

Biking Profile

100% asphalt roads. Average 25 miles per day.

6 full riding days on undulating quiet country roads.

There are optional ride days with long and short riding options.

Itinerary:

Saturday:
Transfer from Bergerac Airport if required to Le Prince Noir,our base in Fonroque. Prepare your bikes and relax by the pool. Transfer by car to and from the restaurant for your evening meal in the nearby bastide town of Eymet (5 minutes) where you can have your first taste of the local French cuisine.

Sunday:
Circular cycle ride on quiet, undulating roads through the vineyards and villages of the southern Perigord - approx 2 hours. Traditional French Lunch at our local restaurant in Fonroque (only 200metres from the accommodation). Then stroll back to relax by the pool.
In the afternoon we take a 15 minute car ride to Montbazillac Chateau to enjoy a tour of the impressive chateau followed by a free wine tasting. Option to stay at Le Prince Noir and to relax.
Evening meal - Buffet supper prepared by your hosts at your accommodation including wine.

Monday:
Depart our gite and cycle through the rolling countryside of the Bergerac vineyards, on quiet traffic-free lanes to reach the Chateau de Lanquais. We enjoy a tour of this wonderful Renaissance chateau, built by the same craftsmen who built the Louvre in Paris. As you explore the sumptuously furnished apartments you will witness the daily lives of Lanquais' past inhabitants since the 14th century. Then refreshed, we continue on down to the green farmland of the Dordogne valley to cycle alongside the River Dordogne to our overnight accommodation at a comfortable Auberge specialising in traditional French cuisine. Your luggage will be waiting for you. (Approx 25 miles)

Tuesday:
We climb out of the Dordogne valley to Sigoniac where we visit the Neolithic Site showing evidence of stone age dwelling here. We continue to the charming old French Bastide village of Molieres to Cadouin to visit the bike museum. It has the foremost collection in the world of the early bicycle and a reflection of the French passion for 'le cyclisme'. We then climb out of Cadouin to our overnight accommodation at the charming Bastide town of Belves where we will have time to visit the Troglodyte museum showing how people here lived underground between the 13th & 18th centuries!
Moderately challenging hills today although the overall distance is less than 20 miles.
Luggage transferred to your accommodation.

Wednesday:
We descend to the impressive bastide town of Montpazier, an ideal stop for refreshments. We continue on undulating quiet country lanes to the magnificent Chateau Biron, standing proudly on a hillside giving panoramic views of the surrounding Dordogne and the Lot . After a tour of the chateau we ride to our overnight luxury accommodation at the bastide town of Villereal. (Approx 29 miles).
Luggage transferred to your accommodation.

Thursday:
Leaving Villereal we ride off onto quiet undulating country lanes to the pretty bastide town of Issigeac, where we can explore the quaint narrow streets and pause for refreshment. We then cycle through rugged countryside where there is a wide variety of wildlife, including magnificent birds of prey. We pass the sleepy villages and rolling vineyards of the Bergerac region as we return to our base at Le Prince Noir, Fonroque. (Approx 23 miles).
Transfer to and from evening meal in Eymet.

Friday:
Free morning to do your own thing - relax by the pool - cycle to explore Eymet- take lunch at the local restaurant in Fonroque?
In the late afternoon we transport you to a local vineyard where the owner Monsieur Tatard will be happy to share with you his passion for wine (in perfect English!) and talk about wine production through his years of experience as a 'viticulteur'. You will also enjoy a free tasting of his excellent range of wines.
Evening meal at a local restaurant where we all celebrate our week together.

Saturday:
Unless you are extending your holiday with us (ask for details), we ask you to vacate your accommodation by 10.00am. However you can relax by the pool until it's time for us to transfer you to Bergerac airport.

Visit our Base in France (frenchoasisholidays.com)

**We can also provide you with a family / Cycling vacation from our base in the Dordoge - Please contact us for details