Dordogne & West Coast

Tour dates: May 30th - June 7th, 2025

Duration: 7 days, 7 nights

Distance: 284km

Grading: Intermediate (see below)

What’s included:

Fully guided
Bike supplied (including extras). Electric Bike also available
night’s accommodation
Breakfast and snacks each day
Local Transfers
Canoe Hire

Overview

The Dordogne comes close to offering everything that travellers head to France for: beautiful chateaux, traditional French cuisine, a spectacular landscape of vineyards, dense forests, winding rivers and picturesque fortified villages such as Beynac and La Roque Gageac. Charming towns such as Bergerac, Sarlat and Domme are also a must see and what better way to visit this amazing part of the world than by bike! This tour is a vast exploration of the Aquitaine region of France starting in the charming city of Bordeaux and then heading west taking in the famous vineyards and vast beaches of the Atlantic Coast. We'll wind our way through the world renowned vineyards and beautiful villages of this region, hugging the banks of the Dordogne river along the journey. You will get the opportunity to spend a leisurely day canoeing down with the tide of this magical river and sampling the finest food and drink of this magnificent hidden gem of France. This is a very diverse and beautiful tour that really allows you to immerse yourself in all the cultural goodies that France has to offer. If you've forgotten what the outside world is like and are itching to get out, then this one's for you!

Day 1 - Bordeaux to Soulac-sur-Mer

After a night in the picturesque city of Bordeaux, we take a morning train to the town of Lesparre-Médoc. From Lesparre-Médoc we venture north up through this areas famous wine country (passing many beautiful wineries along the way) towards our destination for the night. We end the day in the oceanside town of Soulac-sur-Mer for a taste of some real local seafood, caught fresh that day, whilst sitting back and watching the sunset!

Day 2 - Soulac-sur-Mer to Paulliac

We start off the day following the stunning Atlantic Coast, taking in the vast and expansive west coast beaches. This is a relatively flat day to start with along the coastline. There are opportunities to take small breaks at various stages throughout the day and we will make the most of the beaches stopping for lunch on the beach where you can take a swim if you wish. Following lunch we head inland back to wine country and into Paulliac before heading back to Bordeaux to stay for the night. This is a real mix of a day experiencing seaside towns and the inland wineries of the region. The day will be topped off by sampling some of the local food and world famous Bordeaux wine!

Day 3 - Bergerac to Limeuil

The day starts by taking the direct train to the renaissance town of Bergerac, with it’s charming alleys and half-timbered houses. Here we will stop for the night and enjoy this town of immense Art and History. We take a beautiful greenway along the Dordogne River to leave Bergerac where the journey starts to drift into the very picturesque sections of the river, here you really get to experience some of the beautiful and tranquil riverside villages that make the Dordogne so famous. We wind along the river taking in the sights and sounds and continue along the Vézère Valley known as the “Vallée de l’Homme (Man’s Valley), with its many prehistoric sites listed as UNESECO World Heritage Sites. Eventually settling in the medieval village of Limeuil, listed among the most beautiful villages of France, with its stone houses and brown tile roofs typical of the Périgord Noir. Its a charming and refreshing stop for the night.

Day 4 - Limeuil to Vitrac

Joining the river again on this very scenic day we ride through villages such as La Roque Gageac - Arguably one of France's most beautiful and quaint villages. It’s in a stunning position with little to suggest that much has changed there in the last 300 years, La Roque-Gageac is truly the perfect picture postcard village and definite highlight of the day. We visit Chateau Milliard, a grand century Chateau and end of the day in Vitrac.

Day 5 Rest Day - Option to: Vitrac to Domme Bike Ride and/or Canoe and Relax

This is a relaxing day where you have the option to canoe down the Dordogne River, gaining a different perspective on the water as opposed to from the banks. In the late afternoon, following the canoe it’s a very short and relaxing day on the bike, as we complete a short climb from Vitrac to the hillside town of Domme . There are lovely views here as it occupies a splendid position high above the Dordogne river. The village is ideallic and the views are a bonus as is the cave system that sits right underneath the main square. It’s a beautiful place to relax whilst watching the sun set.

Day 6 - Vitrac to Sarlat-la-Canéda

Today is a circular style ride starting in Vitrac and ending in the neighbouring town of Sarlat. We follow the beautiful Voie Verte (french for greenway route) - this is a lovely, protected route, with the path often cutting through the valley below ground level along a shady embankment. As we head further north we explore the stunning Châtau du Puymartin and Eyrignac Gardens, which are listed as historic. These gardens are a green masterpiece of fauna and sculptures over an area of 200 hectares. We end up in the town of Sarlat, labelled as the city of Art and History. This is where we bed down for the night and sample a meal in one of the renowned local restaurants.

Day 7 - Sarlat-la-Canéda to Bordeaux

After breakfast in Sarlet we board the train back to Bordeaux where you can relax and reflect on the 2 and a half hour journey. Once in Bordeaux we will explore the city by bike, riding along the quayside, which is well-known as one of the most magnificent waterfronts in the world. Bordeaux was awarded UNESECO World Heritage status in 2007 for its 18th century facades and buildings. We will peruse the streets for the day and enjoy the scrumptious local treats the city has to offer.

  
    Day
    Route
    Distance (Km)
  
    Day 1
    Bordeaux-Soulac-sur-Mer
    55

    Day 2
    Soulac-sur-Mer-Paulliac
    63

    Day 3
    Bergerac-Limeuil
    45

    Day 4
    Limeuil-Vitrac
    38

    Day 5
    Vitrac-Domme + Canoe and Relax
    20

    Day 6
    Vitrac-Sarlat
    43

    Day 7
    Sarlat-Bordeaux
    20

    Total
    284

Grading

Moderate Adventure (3/5). Overall the cycling is very manageable with an average of around 50km per day for five of the seven days and only around 20km’s for the other two days. The first two days are flat terrain along the coast. Days 3, 4 and 6 are the most challenging with some undulating terrain and some decent hills thrown in. Days 5 and 7 are short days in term of distance as we are using Vitrac as a base on day 5 - exploring the local sights and we will make sure to challenge those who would like it as there are some hilly terrain that will challenge all. Day 7 is easy riding as we explore the streets of Sarlat and Bordeaux before setting off home either that evening or the following morning, depending on individual travel arrangements. Riders should have a good level of fitness and experience riding a bicycle, as well as be competent with trail and loose gravel riding on both a mountain and hybrid bike.

Logistics

The trip commences at a designated hotel in Bordeaux on the morning of the first day.

You will be provided with two panniers (totaling 25litres) to be fitted to your bike to carry all your belongings for all days except day 6. The panniers provide ample space, but please pack light and make sure you bring a soft foldable bag.

On the morning of day 1 we will be catching a train to the seaside town of Lesparre-Médoc and then spend the first two days riding down the coastal and inland areas of the Medoc region west of Bordeaux. On day three we travel 1hr30mins by train to the renaissance town of Bergerac and commence our ride winding along the Dordogne River into the heart of this region, staying that night in the medieval town of Limeuil. We will use Vitrac as a base for the next two nights to explore the area and it’s surrounds by bike, explore the river by canoe and experience local culture. On the last day we return to Bordeaux from Sarlat and explore the streets of this historic city. You then have two options for going home; fly out late that evening, after a short taxi ride from our accommodation; or, fly out the following day. Please indicate your preference at the start of the tour so suitable arrangements can be made. Participants should be aware that the tour involves multiple train trips to allow for the best experience possible.

What to budget for?

FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED. You will need to arrange a flight to arrive in Bordeaux the night/day before your first day's riding.
Other meals are not included - Budget for around £15 per day
Traveller’s Insurance (compulsory, click here for more info)

What to bring?

Travel as light as possible! Personal luggage will need to be carried for 6 of the 8 days of riding in panniers provided. Weather is usually very good in this region in July, so generally pack for good weather. A full list of items to bring will be provided after you book.

Prices

Earlybird Single £1,795*
Earlybird Twin £1,595pp*
Full Payment - Single £2095
Full Payment - Twin £1,895pp
Deposit £750

*Earlybird prices are limited to four spots per tour - Available until May 20th