Backroad cycling France

Discover the heart of Périgord and Dordogne on this short centre-based tripRef CN49

Riding along the Dordogne and Vézère Rivers, we discover the exceptional heritage and beautiful countryside of the Périgord Noir. Quiet back roads and tracks take us through majestic forests and meadows, leading time and again to exceptional monuments and buildings, most notably the castles of Commarque, Puymartin and Beynac. Each village is as pretty as the last, inviting us to explore the winding streets that take us on a journey back in time… The famous Périgord gastronomy adds a welcome ingredient to this rich and wonderful circuit...

Self-guided tour: from 295€ - Details Duration : 5 or 4 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
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+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
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This tour is E-bike compatible

Highlights

  • Beautiful scenery, exceptional heritage, and delicious cuisine
  • Gentle rolling hills, offering a relaxed itinerary
  • The same accommodation all week, ideally located, offering comfort and flexibility

Description

Comments

  • This trip exists in 2 versions : V1=1 wheel / V2=2 wheels
  • Special offers for private groups. Please ask us for a quotation.
  • E-bike rental possible for this tour. See details in practical information.

Detailed itinerary

Centre-based tour in the Périgord-Dordogne

5 days/4 nights (arrival day + 4 cycling days)

Why a centre-based tour? Certain areas are well adapted to centre-based tours, where you stay in the same accommodation all week, but ride a different itinerary each day. The Périgord is particularly well suited to this type of tour, as its cultural and natural attractions are concentrated in a relatively small area. Our accommodation is in the heart of the Périgord, and offers a number of off-the-bike activities.

One of the major benefits of a centre-based tour is the flexibility it offers:

  • You choose which days to do particular rides, depending on the weather or your energy levels
  • Option to take a day off to relax or pursue another activity
  • Avoids the hassle of packing your bags each morning, allowing you to settle into your accommodation
The accommodation

Your accommodation for this centre-based tour is a 3* hotel with heated swimming pool in the valley of Vézère. It is set in a quiet countryside and disposes of a large park (around ten hectares!), sheltering different kinds of wildlife : deer, fox, hundreds of birds, to the delight of children and wildlife photography lovers. A well-being area with a heated pool, spa and sauna is at your disposal. In the morning, a rich buffet breakfast awaits you in a separated building overlooking the pool and the park. And in the evening, you can enjoy delicious regional specialties prepared from local products, if you choose to dine at the hotel. Ideally located halfway between the medieval town of Sarlat, the cave of Lascaux and Les Eyzies, the world capital of prehistory, this traditional family-run hotel is an oasis of calm.
The comfortably furnished rooms are available in two different categories and spread over two buildings. The price of our package includes accommodation in village side rooms ("côté village"), located in the main house in the heart of the village. The cosy rooms dispose of large double beds or two twin beds, with a shower or bathtub. They are all equipped with television, safe, free Wifi, and a courtesy tray.

Comfort version: Comfort park side rooms, are located in the building adjacent to the beautiful park ("côté parc"). Most of the rooms have a balcony or a private terrace overlooking the valley and the surrounding countryside, and air conditioning, in addition to the basic equipment (television, safe, free Wifi, and a courtesy tray).

The programme

Below is a summary of the programme and different loops we propose during your stay:

  • Day 1: Arrival day
  • Day 2: Loop 1 - Discover the Périgord countryside, the villages of Valojoulx, Montignac and La Chapelle Aubareil, as well as the Lascaux Caves.
  • Day 3: Loop 2 - The valley of the Vézère and the Castel-Merle archeological excavation site.
  • Day 4: Loop 3 - The ghost of the "White Lady'' at the castle of Puymartin, dry stone huts and heritage sites.
  • Day 5: Loop 4, an unforgettable day, with a visit of Sarlat, and a ride in the fabulous Dordogne Valley, end of services at the end of the day

Distances covered:

  • Level 1: between 25 and 35 km per day with an average of 500 m of altitude gain.
  • Level 2: between 35 and 50 km per day with an average of 800 m of altitude gain.

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.

Dates

This tour can be booked anytime from early April to end of October.

Costs and services self-guided tour

Price per person for a group of:

A single-room supplement will be automatically added in the case of odd-numbered groups.

The price includes:

  • 4 nights in a 3* hotel with swimming pool, in double/twin rooms with en-suite facilities
  • 4 breakfasts
  • Carefully designed itineraries with routes for 2 physical levels
  • Our navigation app for smartphones, a detailed road book including maps (digital format) and GPS tracks
Standard and comfort rooms

The rooms "côté village" are located in the main house in the heart of the village and offer comfort in a relaxed decoration. The rooms "côté parc" are located in a building directly in the hotel's own park. Most of them have a balcony or a private terrace overlooking the valley and the surrounding countryside.

Dinners

This tour is offered without dinner. Our hotel has a very good restaurant, but you can also go to nearby Sarlat (15 km - 20 minutes by car) for some variety. Option for dinner possible - see additional services.

What is not included:
  • Lunch and dinners
  • Bike rental
  • International flights
  • Supplementary services
  • Your transfer to the meeting place (see paragraph below)
  • All services mentioned in extensions
  • Insurance, assistance
  • Drinks at the accommodation
  • Visits to museums, monuments and sites
  • Additional travel related to changes in the programme due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under “the price includes".

Supplementary services

Single room accommodation, 5 days (4 nights) 235 € / 

Single room accommodation, 5 days (4 nights), côté parc 295 € / 

Half board

If you wish, we can book the dinners (generally around 30 € per person, including starter, main course, and dessert, excluding drinks) and/or the picnics (generally around 10 € per person, excluding drinks) for your trip. Meals are to be paid directly to the hotel. A fee of 25 € per booking applies, to be added in the booking form.

dinner reservations 25 € / 

Extra nights

Extra night in Tamniès in 3* hotel, standard single room, including breakfast 150 € / 

Extra night in Tamniès in 3* hotel, standard double room, including breakfast 85 € / 

Extra night in Tamniès in 3* hotel, superior single room, including breakfast 185 € / 

Extra night in Tamniès in 3* hotel, superior double room, including breakfast 105 € / 

Bike rental: see below

Bike rental

Standard bikes and e-bikes are available for rent.

Standard bike (4 days) 140 € / 

E-Bike (4 days) 270 € / 

Delivery and collection fee (from 1 to 8 rental bikes) 100 €

All bicycles are equipped with mudguards, a puncture repair kit, and a rear rack (rear panniers free of charge upon request).

Please indicate your height on your booking form.

Electric bikes offer pedaling assistance, greatly reducing the effort needed to cover a given distance compared to a classic "human-powered" bicycle. They offer an alternative solution in two cases: 

  • You do not feel able to complete a level 1 wheel (lowest level) circuit. With electric assistance, this trip becomes accessible. 
  • You would like to complete a circuit with a person who is fitter than you and you are worried that you will be unable to keep up, or that the other person will find your pace too slow.

Private groups / Custom tours

You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.

  • If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
  • If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.

For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435  or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.

Booking procedure / Cancellation

How to book

In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.

Last minute booking

All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.

Expert advice
  • Unsure which tour to book?
  • Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
  • Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.

Tour confirmation

In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.

Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.

In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.

Balance payment

Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.

Cancellation

In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:

  • More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium

Full details of our sales conditions are available here

Travel insurance

It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.

You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:

  • I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
    This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.

Recommendation:
If you choose to take out a travel insurance policy with another insurance company, please check that the search and rescue coverage is suitable: area covered, expenses included, risks covered (as an indication, a minimum cover of 15 000 € is recommended). Please note that credit card insurance rarely offers this type of coverage.

Getting there

By train: From Paris Montparnasse station to Sarlat-la-Canéda train station (about 5h by TGV train).
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

Then you'll need to book a taxi transfer to Tamniès.

By plane:

  • From Bordeaux airport: join the Bordeaux train station and head to Sarlat-la-Canéda train station.
  • From Toulouse airport : join the Toulouse train station and head to Sarlat-la-Canéda train station.

Then you'll need to book a taxi transfer to Tamniès.

By car:
Route planner: en.mappy.com

Route navigation

You will receive an email 2 weeks before departure, containing all the information necessary for your upcoming tour, including the following navigation tools:

Our dedicated smartphone app

Follow your route with comfort and ease! Thanks to the Velorizons navigation app, download the full trip itinerary to your smartphone, view route maps and profiles, access the list of booked accommodation, services and useful contacts, and use the integrated route guidance (visual and vocal) for navigation.

See the mobile app presentation video

To benefit fully from the app navigation system, we strongly recommend attaching your smartphone to the bicycle handlebar using a dedicated mount. An example can be viewed here.

Velorizons app compatibility
Operating systemAndroidAppleWindows PhoneBlackberry
CompatibilityVersion 8.0 minimumiOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equippedNon compatibleNon compatible
A detailed Road Book

Your tour road book will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The road book contains:

  • Full colour maps with highlighted routes,
  • Step-by-step route description,
  • Route profiles
GPS tracks

Tour GPS tracks will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The tracks are in .gpx format, compatible with all GPS devices/apps.

Car sharing

If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.

Groupe size and guiding

For guided trips we limit the size of our groups from 5 (min) to 12 (max) persons  in order to ensure security and conviviality.

You will be guided by English-speaking French mountain bike guides.

No size limitation for self-guided trips.

Accommodation

We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality. For more details, please see the "Costs and services" section.

For private groups and self-guided tours it is possible to choose alternative accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.

Food

"L'art de la table"

We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals.  Fresh and local produce will be served wherever possible.

Depending on the meals included in your chosen tour:

  • Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation
  • Cold picnics for lunch (mixed salad, bread, cold meats, cheese and fruit). Each participant carries his picnic in his daypack
  • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)

Please check the "Dates & Prices" section for meal plan details.

Baggage

During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.

Health

We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday.

Our / Your state of mind

- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.

- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.

Bike and plane / train

If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any TGV and SNCF trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.

Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.

Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.

Your equipment

Equipment provided by France Bike Trips on guided tours:
  • A group first-aid kit
  • A bike repair kit and tools
Personal equipment to bring:
Baggage

All your luggage must fit in two bags: a daypack and a travel bag.

1/ Daypack

This is the bag you will keep with you each day whilst riding. This bag should not be too large (up to 30 litres).

It will contain: a picnic lunch, camera, waterproof and extra clothing, etc.

Each day, your guide will advise you on what to bring in your bag according to the route and the weather.

2/ Travel bag

This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It should contain all the belongings you will not use during the day.

IMPORTANT: Your luggage transported from one accommodation to the next must fit in a single bag and must not exceed 20kg.

List of equipment to pack in your bag the day of departure:
For your head
  • A cap or other head protection against the sun
  • A hat or headband
  • A bike helmet.
For your upper body
  • Two base layers (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
  • A warm shirt or a sweatshirt
  • A fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
For your legs
  • Two good quality cycling shorts
  • Trousers
  • Casual short
  • A swimsuit.
For your feet
  • Comfortable sports shoes 
  • Sports socks
  • Sandals (not obligatory, but nice during breaks and in the evening...).
For your bike

If you rent a bike from France Bike Trips, this material is not necessary.

  • 2 spare tubes and a puncture repair kit
  • Lubricant for chain and derailleur
  • A pump
  • A spare derailleur hanger
Various
  • A pair of cycling gloves
  • A bike lock
  • 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or Camelbak)
  • A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin; Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.

Self-guided formula

Self-guided tour "user guide"

Active autonomy: what you need to know for our self-guided tours

In order to achieve the planned tour programme, you must:

  • Guide yourself with the highlighted maps and road book;
  • Choose suitable start times adapted to the lengths of the daily stages as well as your own riding pace, and leave an adequate safety margin of time;
  • Obtain daily weather forecasts from your hosts, and take into account the weather conditions when planning journey times;
  • Arrive at the booked guest houses and hotels listed in the programme on the given dates; 
  • Bring the necessary personal equipment to carry out the tour. France Bike Trips equipment list constitutes the necessary minimum;
  • Carry insurance policies and emergency telephone numbers with you at all times;
  • Be familiar with basic first-aid steps;
  • In the event of any problems during your trip, contact France Bike Trips (contact information in your travel documents). Possession of a mobile phone that works in France is strongly recommended.

Self-guided tours are undertaken without a guide and at your own risk. France Bike Trips cannot be held liable for any route error, misconduct, personal imprudence, inadequate planning or inappropriate reactions in the event of incidents.

Any programme change of your own initiative is under your responsibility and at your expense. 

Having said this, with our advice and good preparation, you should be able to look forward to a wonderful, trouble free holiday. Enjoy your trip!

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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


Phone number: +33 458 140 435

Contact us

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.

Please type in your email address in order to access tour details and description

Your email will not be communicated to any third party or company outside France Bike Trips / Velorizons. You may receive occasional emails from France Bike Trips, with the possibility to unsubscribe at any time. CNIL (French National Commission for Data Protection and Liberties)