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Between the wodd famous wine regions of Burgundy and Bordeaux lies the
Dordogne River Valley, During the Middle Ages, this tranquil region
passed back and forth between the French and English, who built hundreds
of fortresses along the river. Biking along the same paths
as pilgrims and soldiers of centuries past, we sleep in Medival castles
and dine on the rich flavors of the southwest, including foie gras,
truffles and game.
The landscape of the Dordogne provides miles of scenic and spectacular
biking. The river bursts out of the volcanic rocks of the Massif Central,
runs through the granite platforms of the Limousin, and criss-crosses the
fertile plains. Our week begins in Roumegouse where we visit Gouffre de
Padirac, the charming village of Autoire, and the Cirque d'Autoire, a
natural amphitheater with a breathtaking view of the valley below.We continue on to the fortified town of Loubressac and its Renaissance style Chateau de Montal. The next morning we might join a balloon ride above the dramatic countryside before we pedal on to Rocamadour. An old rail route leads us to the meticulously preserved town of Sarlat. Next, we visit the Valley of the Castles, where we can trade our bikes for canoes and enjoy a lazy ride down the river to see the fortresses along the banks. Castenaud and the bastide town of Domme are just a few of the highlights. Finally, our trail leads us through Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, the capital of prehistory. We explore St-Amand-de-CoIy, Les Eyzies and the wonderful reproductions at Lascaux II.
Our bicycle tours are created as a vacation, not a race. This 8 day tour of the Dordogne gives one a great taste of France. Our riding is on gently rolling to rolling terrain with some climbs. Cycling and Chateaux in the Dordogne is recommended for moderate cyclists, but athletic beginners who would like some stunning scenery and unique cliff-top villages should also join us.
Days 1 and 2 - Meet at the Brive station where your guides welcome you and transfer you to the Chateau de Roumegouse. This ancient castle was converted into a hotel 25 years ago, after having been rescued from near-ruin at the end of the 19th century. A short warm up ride to the Gouffre de Padirac, a chasm that plunges down through the limestone of the Causse de Gramat before forming miles of underground galleries. An aperitif on the terrace is followed by our welcome dinner at the inn.
Off to the charming village of Autoire. En route we can stop and hike to
the Cirque d'Autoire, a natural amphitheatre carved out of the land.
Lunchtime stop in Autoire with time for a crepe or croque monsieur before
we continue on to the fortified town of Loubressac. Built on a rocky
outcrop of land, Loubressac has narrow, winding streets and spectacular
views. After passing through the serene countryside of the Dordogne, we
find ourselves once again at the Chateau de Roumegouse where the pool, an
aperitif and a gourmet dinner await.
Two nights at the Chateau de Roumegouse, a 12th c. castle with manicured
grounds and pool.
Our bike routes: Day I: 8 miles of gently rolling to rolling
terrain. Van transfer back to the inn.
Day 2: 24 miles of moderately hilly terrain.
Day 3 - Our day begins with an optional sunrise balloon ride above
the dramatic cliffs. Back on the ground we cycle on to Rocamadour, a
beautiful village built on limestone rock and dotted with cottages,
churches and a castle. An important pilgrimage during the Medieval Ages,
Rocamadour is home to the 11th c. Black Virgin. (You might opt to climb
the Grand Escalier, a 223 step climb to pay homage!) Next, we have a
fascinating tour of the 15th century fortified water mill, the Moulin de
Cougnaguet. Our gourmet picnic lunch is set out next to the water mill,
where Hubert offers us his homemade digestif after our feast. The
adventurous might choose to bike a dirt road (3.5 miles) for a tasting of
some local foie gras. Late afternoon arrival at the Chateau de La Treyne,
perched on a cliff above the Dordogne River.
Overnight at Chateau de La Treyne, a 14th castle and elegant hotel.
Amenities include beautiful gardens, a pool and tennis.
Our bike route - Day 3:18 miles of relatively flat terrain
with one challenging climb.
Days 4 and 5 - Soon after leaving our hotel we reach Souillac where we take a few minutes and visit the church, an old abbey with the same Byzantine influences found in the better-known churches of Perigueux, Cahors and Angouleme. Leaving Souillac we pick up a beautiful back road along the Dordogne River. The riding here is mostly flat and peaceful. We cross the river and join a bike trail made on the old train line until just before arriving in Sarlat. Sarlat, an exceptional architectural inheritance from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, was selected in 1962 by the French government as a "preservation area". As a preservation area, the town has carefully covered all signs of the modern day. Plumbing, telephone and electrical wires are hidden, and all buildings are deemed of historical importance. Our private walking tour of the town includes the Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral and the former market place.
On Day 5 we cycle into The Valley of the Castles. Since the beginning of
Christianity to the end of the 17th century, this region has been the
stage of many assaults. Because of its history, this section of the
Dordogne has the largest concentration of castles that you will probably
ever encounter. The fortresses include: the I 3th c. Beynac, 15th c. Les
Milandes, and the I 3th c. Castelnaud. The lovely honey-hued Domme is a
bastide town. It's splendid panorama covers the Dordogne Valley from
Beynac to the west and Montfort to the east. For a different view of the
castles, you might opt to take a canoe ride down the river.
Two nights at the opulent Domaine de Rochebois. Amenities include formal
gardens, golf and pool.
Our bike routes - Day 4: 28 miles of mostly flat terrain. Hillier
terrain in the afternoon. Day 5: 35 miles on mostly flat terrain. Some
challenging hills.
Days 6 and 7 - Our sixth day gives us a chance to stroll through the Vezere Valley. We first stop in Meyral to visit a 500 year old cottage and modern art works of Pascal Magis. Next, we visit another local artisan, Guy Weir, where we admire his works over a glass of local white wine. From here we cycle to Les Eyzies de Tayac. Known as 'The Capital of Pre-History" there are a number of amazing sites that surround the village of Les Eyzies. Combining art and archaeology, the 14,000 year old cave paintings at the Font de Gaume are not to be missed.
One cannot leave the Dordogne without first experiencing the marvel of Lascaux II, an extraordinary replica of the original Lascaux caves, discovered by two young boys in 1940. Due to the damaging effects of carbon dioxide and humidity on the paintings (by exposure from all the visitors), Lascaux was forced to close to the general public. Only 200 meters away, Lascaux II has remarkably recreated what feels to be a real cave and precise replicas of Lascaux' I 7,000 year old paintings. This is an amazing opportunity to admire bisons, horses and enigmatic symbols painted in overlapping movement. Next we come to St Genies, a charming village typical of the Perigord with its lauzes roofs, 15th c. castle and Romanesque church. In the afternoon we reach the village and abbey of St Amand-de-Coly, one of the most amazing of this region's fortified churches. Its elaborate defense system, with its Augustinian design, creates a beautifully simplistic interior. Finally, we bike on to a small workshop where a local coppersmith shows us his gleaming pots, pans and utensils.
After an incredible week that has revealed the treasures of the Dordogne
(not to mention the strength of your legs and the determination in your
heart for going up some of those hills) - nothing is more appropriate than
a champagne toast to commemorate it all! One final feast of epicurean
delights in Puy Robert's restaurant to top it all off, and we imagine that
you will bid adieu to the Dordogne with fond and lasting memories.
Two nights at the acclaimed Chateau de Puy. Robert . Puy Robert is
well-known for its Michelin starred restaurant with specialties such as
foie gras and leeks with a vinagrette of Monbazillac.
Our bike route: Day 6: 32 miles of gently rolling to rolling
terrain. Day 7: 33 miles of rolling terrain.
Day 8 - Flaky croissant and pain au choco/ate are served in the beautifully decorated dining room of the Chateau de Puy Robert. Transfer back to the train station in Brive. We highly recommend a layover day in Paris.
Length: 8 days/7 nights
Daily Mileage: 15-35 miles on gently rolling to rolling
terrain. Some hills and climbs.
2002 Dates: May 20-27 / Jun 10-17 / Jul 8-15 / Jul 29-Aug 5
/ Sep 16-23 / Sep 30-Oct 7 / Oct 7-14
Cost: $2650 Bike Rental: $150 Single Supplement; $450
Included:
Start: At the Brive train station at 2:00 pm. 4 hours from
Paris/Care d'Austerlitz by train.
Finish: At the Brive train station by 1:00 pm. 4 hours to
Paris/Care d'Austerlitz by train.
Pre and Post Trip Recommendations; Fly into Paris. Spend one
night in Paris and then train to Brive
(4 hours) the next morning. In order to bike on Day I, you must arrive in
France at least I day prior to
your tour. A few days in Paris are a perfect complement to a visit to the
Dordogne.
Every morning your guides review the day's route and the highlights of the day. You set your own pace. You do not "follow the leader" or need to keep up with the group. We encourage you to slow down, relax and enjoy the day. Most of you will bike our main route, some of you may add on mileage with our optional routes. Your guides are always in the background. One guide sweeps the route by bike, the other sweeps with our van. Sometimes, the van is needed to deliver luggage or to transfer supplies. Don't worry, if you break down or are tired and want a lift, you can reach your guide via the guide's cell phone supplied on every tour.
"And unlike many group ventures, it's an intimate, first-class
affair .. there's no oppressively regimented schedule"-
New York Magazine
"Crazy about cycling? Grab your bike and head for Italy. Wine-taste
your way through Umbria... staying in palatial accommodations...or
view the Venetian countryside, with its Renaissance villas, medieval
towns and red-poppy farms".
- Vogue Magazine
"For folks whose tastes run to small, elegant inns and gourmet
restaurants".
- Travel America
"I discovered one of the best cycling touring companies to ride with
...an impressive company offers trips loaded with amenities and flair
...they thought of everything you may possibly need..."
- Cape Cod Life
" ...5 star accommodations in historic palaces, exquisite unlimited
cuisine prepared by first class chefs and a daily choice of menus make
this a bike lover's dream..."
- Italia Magazine
"Crossing from County Galway to County Mayo was the best bicycle ride
I've ever taken...the trip routes were wonderful: off-the beaten track
roads through lovely landscapes and little to no traffic. The daily
itineraires also got exactly the right balance of distance,
difficulties and vistas".
- Departures Magazine
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