The Great Dordogne & Rocamadour Bike Loop

This loop going through 3 departments has so much to reveal that in all honesty, it was not easy for us to find a name for it! We could just as well have called it “the route of the most beautiful villages in France” - no less than 11 of the 164 classified French villages are in your roadbook! - or even “journey between prehistory, the Hundred Years' War and timeless villages” but that would have been to ignore the natural treasures, which are as outstanding! Deep chasms, spectacular underground caves and vertiginous cliffs are all integral part of the postcard. As for the landscapes, between the lush valley of Dordogne and the mineral environment of the limestone plateaus of the Lot (the famous Causses!), passing through the green Limousin meadows, they again present a great richness.

But what makes the region so charming is undoubtedly also this prodigious marriage between nature and humans that seems to have been perpetuated since prehistoric times. With the paintings in the Lascaux caves - which are nicknamed “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory” - the bar is set quite high from the beginning. But on the surface too, the generosity of nature has been put to good use: troglodyte villages carved right into the rock, bastides and fortified castles built on top of rocky outcrops, the clinging sanctuaries on the cliff of the religious city of Rocamadour, or quite simply, the innumerable dry stone walls that mark out the causses ... Even today, the region seems to have known how to stand up remarkably well against the concrete fever that plagues so many other places. It is therefore not surprising that it contains the highest national density of villages classified "most beautiful villages in France".

Finally, gourmets will not fail to lick their lips either: both the Dordogne the and Quercy regions are jewels of French gastronomy. Apart from its emblematic black truffles and foie gras, don't miss omelettes with porcini mushrooms, duck breast and confit, terrines of foie gras, caviar, goat cheese, walnut tarts, strawberries, Sarladaise potatoes… a real land of plenty! To taste it, in addition to the good tables, there is nothing like stocking up at one of the many traditional markets, rivalizing in picturesqueness.

As a result, cycling is certainly an excellent way to not gain weight at the process… as much as it will allow you to connect these different sites via small winding roads and off-the-beaten-path trails, discovering some hidden treasures along the way.

The route has been designed to give you time to discover the richness of the heritage of the Périgord, Lot, and Corrèze without rushing, and on days dense with interesting sites, the stages have therefore been lightened accordingly. While there are some hills to climb, cycling remains undoubtedly one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the terroir in all its grandeur, and the route is generally accessible to a wide public.

Bon voyage !

Day 1: Arrival at Sarlat

By train or by car, reach Sarlat-la-Canéda, capital of the Périgord Noir, whose old medieval town is a true architectural treasure. To fully enjoy the city, try to get there not too late!

Day 2: Sarlat - Souillac - Rocamadour (56/63 km (35/39 mi) - Elevation gain: 550/710 m (1804/2329 ft))

You'll leave Sarlat via a well-shaded greenway, gradually bringing you along the Dordogne River, where numerous invitations for swimming punctuate the route (the best spots are not always easy to find but are indicated in the roadbook). After about twenty kilometers, you enter the department of Lot, which will also offer its share of beautiful surprises. First, you'll come upon the charming little town of Souillac, whose imposing Romanesque abbey contains a beautiful interior. Then, just before leaving the Dordogne valley, you have the opportunity to explore the Lacave caves, a true underground maze with exceptional mineral heritage. A guided tour allows you to admire the extravagant morphology of its many limestone concretions.

You then ascend the wild valley of the Ouysse on a beautiful gravel path, eventually coming face to face with the ancient fortified mill of Cougnaguet, whose authentic and colossal stone wheel still moves by the power of water today! The mill even has loopholes, but given its isolation, it had to protect itself against highwaymen! A few kilometers further, you'll see the silhouette of what seems to be an imaginary city… Rocamadour!

The natural setting in which this emblematic stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage and UNESCO World Heritage Site is nestled is stunning: the village and the religious sanctuaries that overlook it seem suspended from the high cliff of 150 m. Once settled in your hotel, you will have plenty of time to explore the medieval city at your leisure. In the Notre-Dame chapel, you will meet the mysterious Black Virgin, whose supposed miracles still attract thousands of pilgrims each year.

Day 3: Rocamadour - Causse de Gramat - Padirac Caves - Autoire - Loubressac (34/41 km (21/25 mi) - Evelation Gain : 530/690 m (1739/2264 ft))

It is on the desolate lands of the Causse de Gramat that you ride during the first part of the day. The vegetation on this rocky plateau is indeed quite sparse, offering a unique landscape, where the dry stone walls confirm that you are now on the Massif Central. Many small shepherds' paths allow you to sneak through the causse. A slight detour takes you to a farm where the producer sells his delicious Rocamadour goat cheese.
Further on, an immense cavity over 100 meters deep pierces the rock: you are at the renowned Gouffre de Padirac (Padirac Caves). While it's uncertain when the cave's dome collapsed, a magnificent underground river now allows you to safely venture to the bottom of the caves in a small boat, revealing the splendor of its karstic formations..

You then descend from the causse towards the classified village of Autoire, beautifully nestled at the bottom of a rocky cirque. From the bottom of the cirque, a walk through the forest leads to the sumptuous Autoire waterfall.
Then, you have the choice between going straight up to the perched village of Loubressac - also ranked among the most beautiful - or making a detour to the Castelnau-Bretenoux castle, which, from the promontory on which it stands, constitutes one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture.

Day 4: Loubressac - Carennac - Curemonte / Martel - Collonges-la-Rouge (39/44 km (24/27 mi) - Elevation gain: 480/540 m (1574/1772 ft))

After a few kilometers on a small, relatively flat country road, a short detour leads to the ruins of Taillefer, from where you can enjoy a sublime panorama overlooking the surrounding valleys. Then the road descends towards the charming river village of Carennac (also listed among the most beautiful French villages), located on the edge of the Dordogne River. You then have two options: go through the "most beautiful"village of Curemonte, or take a short detour to the no less pretty town of Martel, which holds its famous weekly market on Wednesdays.

As you progress towards the north, the landscape then becomes gradually more open thanks to the many meadows that dot the region you just entered: Corrèze! Our English friends call it the “Cowrèze”: they are very right, because the emblematic limousine cows are an integral part of the landscape here ! At the end of the day, you finally reach the superstar of the most beautiful villages in France: Collonges-la-Rouge. With its red sandstone houses and slate roofs, this superb and atypical village was destined to be the cradle of the association of the most beautiful villages in France in 1982.

Due to the limited supply of accommodation in Collonges, your accommodation might be in the neighboring town of Meyssac - also in red sandstone - 2 kilometers away.

Day 5 : Collonges-la-Rouge - Turenne - Saint-Amand-de-Coly - Montignac (55 km/34 mi - Elevation gain: 630 m/2067 ft)

After a few kilometres, it is the village of Turenne - also classified - after a good climb, as it is perched atop a hill... but cyclists were not existing in those times! Once the capital of its viscounty, it is now experiencing a revival through tourism. Its white stone houses, narrow hillside streets, and the castle crowning the top of the village indeed give it a lot of character.

You then wander through small bucolic roads with typically Corrèze landscapes for a good part of the day, before swinging back into Périgord. You then reach the no less classified village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly. The village owes its luster to the monumental bell tower-porch of its fortified abbey church from the 12th century, considered the most beautiful in Périgord. With its 30 m (98 ft) high, the bell tower was once a technical feat. Finally, you reach the Vézère valley at the medieval village of Montignac, which will also be your host city for the night.

Day 6 : Montignac - St-Léon-sur-Vézère - La-Roque-St-Christophe - Les Eyzies (26 km/16 mi - Elevation gain: 300 m/984 ft)

Montignac is above all the neighboring town of the site of the internationally famous Lascaux caves, of which only the replica, millimetrically reconstructed, can now be visited, in order to protect the original from tourism. The visit is nonetheless as moving as it is captivating and you will discover the fascinating parietal frescoes, representing animals of the time, painted more than 15,000 years ago!

You then continue on a very enjoyable road along the Vézère Valley, which will leave you time to indulge in other visits along the way - there are many opportunities - and take a dip in the river, or a nap on the bank, depending on your desires.
Also called the Valley of Prehistory, the valley is home to the troglodyte cliff of La-Roque-Saint-Christophe and the troglodyte site of La Madeleine. Some of these sites were inhabited until the 19th century, and on the site of La Madeleine, a real medieval village was embedded in the rock. These places also provided, from time to time, an excellent natural refuge, whether during Viking raids, the Hundred Years' War or the Wars of Religion.

Other possible stops include the Losse Castle overlooking the Vézère, the Maison forte de Reignac (a cliff-castle!) or the peaceful village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. At the end of the afternoon, a few kilometers from Les Eyzies, it is also possible to visit the goose farm "Les Granges", which produces its own foie gras.
Then you arrive finally in Les Eyzies… a village which, despite its very modest size, is nonetheless the world capital of prehistory. Its destiny was indeed changed when the Cro Magnon man was discovered here in 1868! But the area also contains lots of other prehistoric sites and caves, which have thus largely earned Les Eyzies its international status. The village is moreover nestled in an amazing natural site and surmounted by a cliff in which troglodyte dwellings have been built. True to its reputation, Les Eyzies is also home to the interesting National Museum of Prehistory. There are therefore many reasons to try not to arrive too late on site!

Day 7 : Les Eyzies - Saint-Cyprien - Milandes - Castelnaud - La-Roque-Gageac- Sarlat (44/58 km (27/36 mi) - D+ : 620/730 m (2034/2395 ft))

You leave the Vézère valley to join the Dordogne valley some ten kilometers further. On the plateau that separates them, the road winds through beautiful oak forests and clearings and then descends to the charming village of Saint-Cyprien, which you will easily recognize thanks to its impressive medieval abbey church.

You then travel through the famous Valley of the Dordogne and quickly arrive in its most famous part: the valley of the 5 castles. The first you will come across is the Milandes castle, which was inhabited by the singer and dancer Joséphine Baker and her 12 adopted children! Interesting visit!
Barely a few kilometers further on, you will pedal through the former no man's land located between the Beynac castle and the Castelnaud castle, which, each on its side of the river, face each other and clashed many times during the Hundred Years' War which opposed French and English. Whatever your nationality, visiting these castles should be much more peaceful today, so go for it.

Don't miss a visit to the very photogenic hanging gardens of the Château de Marqueyssac which contains more than 150,000 hand-trimmed box trees! As a bonus, a breathtaking panorama of the valley and its castles. And as if that weren't enough, this segment of the Dordogne contains no less than 4 villages labeled the most beautiful villages in France: Castelnaud, Beynac, La-Roque-Gageac and Domme! With their yellow stone facades and many slate roofs, they are not lacking character. The bastide (fortified village built in a checkerboard pattern) that constitutes Domme is however reserved only for the most athletic, as it is located at the top of a promontory overlooking the valley by more than 150 meters (500 ft)!

At the end of the day, you finally reach Sarlat-la-Canéda again... the circle is complete!

This day is so rich in curiosities that it will be impossible for you to visit everything, despite the relatively shortness of the stage. If the gardens of Marqueyssac are a must, the castle of Beynac and Castelnaud substitute each other somewhat (but are nonetheless very interesting), while those that the history of Joséphine Baker intruiges will treat themselves with a visit to the Milandes castle.

If you want to visit all the castles, don't hesitate to come back the next day by car!

Alternatively, on request, it is also possible to split this last stage in 2 (please contact us).

Day 8: End of de tour or extension

End of the tour after breakfast. Possibility to extend your stay in Sarlat.

1. Duration:
   8 days and 7 nights, including the day of arrival and departure. 6 days of cycling.


2. Minimum age: 12 years old. Young kids can be carried in a trailer.


3. Seasonality: between April and October.
   
   Dorodgne and Quercy benefit from a climate halfway between the oceanic climate and the Mediterranean climate, with relatively mild and humid winters and fairly hot and dry summers.
   
   In spring the temperatures are pleasant, but the weather can be quite rainy some years, especially in the beginning of the season.
   
   In summer, the region enjoys the Mediterranean influence and the weather is generally sunny and warm without excess. However, heat peaks cannot be ruled out, making cycling uncomfortable during the hottest hours. The affluence in tourist sites is also at its highest during this period.
   
   The region generally also experiences a beautiful late autumn, with pleasant temperatures until the end of October and a level of sunshine almost as good as in summer. September and October are also the time to harvest the walnuts, porcini mushrooms and chestnuts for which Périgord is famous. In October and November, the trees are adorned with magical colors.
   
   At the end of autumn and in winter, it is quite cool, even downright cold, making cycling less favorable. Many accommodations also have their annual closure at this time.
   
   Note: the weather is subject to strong variations from one year to another. The information described above are only averages.
   


4. Arrival day: any day
   
   You can start this tour any day of the week.
   


5. Arrival and return:
   
   The tour starts and ends in Sarlat-la-Canéda.
   
   If you arrive by train from Belgium, the Netherlands, UK or Germany: get first to Paris. Take then the TGV (high-speed train) at Paris Montparnasse till Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, take the TER (regional train) towards Sarlat.
   Count approx. 5 hours from Paris
   


6. Parking :
   
   You can park for free during your whole trip at the car park of our bike rental partner. If you arrived with your own bicycles, you can also park your car in Sarlat, where you'll find free car parks as well as paid car parks. Our roadbook will give you more information.


7. Supervision:
   
   Self-guided, with telephone assistance in case of mechanical issues. To navigate, you will have a detailed roadbook, as well as GPS tracks of the route via an easy-to-use navigation app. As the navigation is satellite-based, no internet connection is required.


8. Type of route:
   
   Traveling loop (you return to the starting point at the end of the loop).


9. Level: intermediate
   
   Some days, there are alternative routes to the normal route. Thus, you can tailor your ride's duration to suit your mood or the day's weather conditions. No matter which routes you opt for, you won't miss out on any of the biggest touristic highlights of the tour.
   
   
   • Elevation changes: Dordogne, Lot and Corrèze can be quite hilly in places, but you luckily slalom most often between two reliefs, remaining in the valleys of the rivers. To link different valleys together, a few hills will however have to be crossed, but these are also the ones that will offer you the most beautiful panoramas. The route remains accessible to a wide public. Novices and the less athletic may prefer the electric bike option.
   
   
   • Length of the stages: approximately 35 to 55 km (22 to 34 mi) per day, leaving you time to make many visits along the way.
   
   
   • Terrain: over 90% paved roads. Some compact gravel tracks, not requiring MTB tires.
   
   All details are summarized in the table below.
   
   

   Table 1: Kilometers and Height differences

   PERIGORD
   Stage	Variant	Kilometers	Height diff. + (m)	Height diff. - (m)	Estimated time
   Day 1	Arrival in Sarlat
   Day 2 (stage 1) Sarlat - Rocamadour	Normal	56	550	530	4h04
   	Sporty	63	710	690	4h37
   Day 3 (stage 2) Rocamadour - Loubressac	Relax	34	530	370	2h51
   	Normal	41	690	530	3h31
   Day 4 (stage 3) Loubressac - Collonges	via Curemonte	39	480	580	2h46
   	via Martel	44	540	640	3h08
   Day 5 (stage 4) Collonges - Montignac	Normal	55	630	750	3h45
   Day 6 (stage 5) Montignac - Les Eyzies	Normal	26	300	310	2h09
   Day 7 (stage 6) Les Eyzies - Sarlat	Normal	44	620	540	3h19
   	Sporty	58	730	650	4h14
   Day 8	End of the tour

   
   
   
10. Accommodation:
    
    Two comfort categories of are available on this tour:
    
    Standard Category : 2-3* boutique hotels or equivalent guest rooms. At least 2 of them have a swimming pool.
    
    Comfort+ Category: 2-3* boutique hotels or equivalent guest rooms, a majority of them with a swimming pool. Twice, the offer in terms of accommodation being very limited, you sleep in the same hotel as the standard rate, but will have some extra comfort in the room.
    
    Whatever the level of comfort you choose, most of the time you'll sleep in charming accommodation with all the comforts you need. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and some space to store the bikes.


11. Meals:
    
    Breakfasts are included. Lunch and dinner are at your own leisure. During the day, you can eat in the local restaurants (you will find daily suggestions in our roadbook) or have a picnic bought in local groceries.
    Half board is not available on this trip but you will always have a few restaurants within walking distance from your accommodation (when the hotel itself doesn't have a restaurant).


12. Luggage transport:
    
    You only carry your day's belongings during the cycling stages. Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to another by us, you find them at the end of the day at your accommodation. It is also possible to carry your belongings with you in bicycle side panniers, as long-distance cyclists do. In this case, you get a discount.


13. Travel Documents:
    
    A detailed roadbook (Dutch or English), a topographical map of the route and GPS tracks (via our navigation app) will be sent to you before your departure.
    
    The roadbook, which you'll also receive in hard copy, contains not only a description of the route, but also a wealth of tourist and cultural information, restaurant suggestions and places to buy food along the way.


14. Bicycles:
    
    We offer quality bikes for hire, fully equipped and adapted to the type of terrain.
    
    Equipment includes a smartphone holder, a waterproof pannier, a lock, a repair set and (on request) a helmet.
    
    An electric bike can be hired for this trip.
    
    If you wish to bring your own bike, remember to check all the parts of the bike beforehand (wear and tear of brakes, tyres, sprockets, chain, etc.) to ensure that it is in technical order for a ride of 300 km (ca. 185 miles). The bikes suitable for this trip are trekking bikes (hybrid bikes), mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes. Road bikes (tyres too thin for the gravel sections) and city bikes (insufficient number of gears) are not suitable.


15. Cancellation and assistance insurances:
    
    In order to guarantee reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay or in the event of problems (e.g. health, accident, theft, lost luggage, ...) during the trip, you can opt for a cancellation (CAP Explorer - premium cancellation) and/or assistance insurance (CAP Exporer - premium assistance). To learn more about our proposed insurances, click more info or ask us.

The price of the tour and the bike rentals is given in below tables:



The base price includes:

• A detailed roadbook in English or Dutch, produced by us during our scouting trip (Paper booklet + PDF)
• The GPS tracks of the route via our navigation app
• A topographic map of the tour
• 7 nights in 2-3* hotels or equivalent guesthouses
• 7 breakfasts
• The transport of your luggage between the accommodations
• Luggage tags
• Telephone assistance in the event of a mechanical problem
• Tourist taxes
• Registration fees

Possible options:

• On-site rental of a bicycle with or without electric assistance
• The single room supplement
• The comfort+ supplement (accommodations or rooms with extra comfort)
• Additional nights in Les Eyzies or Sarlat
• Visiting the Gouffre de Padirac (early booking recommended - € 22/adult, discounts for children)
• Visiting the Lascaux IV caves (reservation required - € 22/adult, discounts for children)
• Optional insurances: cancellation and/or assistance

The price does not include:

• The trip from your home to the meeting point, as well as the return.
• Lunch and evening meals
• Personal expenses
• Entrances to tourist sites
• Anything not listed in “the price includes”

Other:

• If you wish to transport your luggage yourself from one accommodation to another, you benefit in this case from a discount that depends on the group size (90 €/person for a group of 2). Additional bicycle side bags will then be provided to you.
• Children and large groups benefit from discounts (see above tables). The children discounts apply if there are at least 2 adults and that the family stays in family rooms (rooms with 3 or more beds) when available.
• A 'solo traveller' supplement of 190 € is counted for individuals doing this tour alone.

    Christine and Rita, 46 and 60 years old

"Professional individuals who love their profession. They are dedicated and attentive to their clients from start to finish."   August 2023

    Serge and Marianne, 61 and 64 years old

"Every year, we spend a week cycling and choose the operator based on the destination. This time, we went with Cyclodyssées to explore the Périgord Noir. Perfect organization. We appreciated Joseph's professionalism and great availability, who, among other things, helped us solve problems with our personal bikes even though it wasn't within his area of responsibility since we hadn't rented bikes. We definitely recommend Cyclodyssées, and in the future, we will certainly consult the routes offered on their website."   June 2023

    Isabelle and Jean-Pierre, 61 and 68 years old

"Back from a tour in the Dordogne, we are thoroughly satisfied with this wonderful experience. Our contact, Joseph, has always been very responsive during our interactions. Cyclodyssees is a very reputable organization. I recommend without hesitation."  May 2023

    Véronique and Yvan, 64 and 65 years old

"For a first bike trip, it was a great discovery! What decided us was the possibility of renting an electric bicycle for me, not having the same physical condition as my husband who took his own bike! Some days the stages are longer, but they are compensated by softer days with sites to visit (gouffre de Padirac, caves of Lasceaux, troglodyte villages, etc.), which was perfect for a first cycling experience! Thanks to Cyclodyssées!"   October 2022

    Hubert and Geneviève, 50 and 45 years old

"Despite the heat wave, it was a very good trip... I must say that on a bike, you get more air than on foot! No day is the same, and that was a real plus, for us who were more used to follow rivers and canals by bike. 10/10 also for the roadbook, we can totally do without the "Lonely Planet"!"  August 2022