This is a self-guided hotel-based cycling tour starting and finishing in Souillac in the valley of the Dordogne River. The hotel accommodation is half-board (except for two nights) and luggage is transported daily to the next hotel. We cycle on tiny lanes and byroads, initially following the river, which winds through a landscape of steep green wooded hills, patchwork fields and terraced slopes. The route follows the South bank of the Dordogne on a quiet road heading south from the ancient town of Souillac, through tiny sun-baked villages to the world famous precipice clinging town of Rocamadour, followed by a day to explore and shop in the Renaissance town of Sarlat-la-Canèda and visit some of the many chateaux which tower above the river here. Amongst these are Beynac and Montfort, Castelnaud with a Museum of Mediaeval Warfare, Les Milandes once the home of Josephine Baker, and the fortified Bastide-town of Domme. 
Reaching St. Cyprien you turn North to Les Eyzies, nestling beneath towering cliffs at the confluence of the Dordogne's tributary the Vézère and the little River Beune. After a day here to take in some pre-historic caves, and perhaps to picnic on the willow-hung banks of the river, follow the R.Vézère upstream and North West, riding beneath the troglodytic site of La Roque St. Christophe, and lunching beside the golden stones of St. Leon, (a canoe trip is a possible diversion here). Take time to visit the beautiful chateau of Losse on the way to Montignac and the world-famous painted caves of Lascaux. Turn and head back South East via the chateau of Salignac and the Italianate gardens of the Manoir d'Eyrignac to Souillac astride the Dordogne.

Season

April to mid-October.

Level of Difficulty

Grade Moderate. A reasonable standard of fitness is required. Daily stages 25-52km. Average 39km (24 miles). Total distance 230km approx. Hilly terrain with ascents and descents up to 300m/1000 feet.

The Bikes

Road bicycles with flat handlebars are provided, equipped with a handle bar bag, water bottle, tool kit, rear carrier with elastic (bungee), pump and lock. Helmets are available on request, but for fitting and hygiene reasons we recommend that you bring your own. You should also bring your own water bottle for the same reasons.
Cycle hire fee 90 Euros per week payable at the start of the tour.

Maps & Route Notes

We provide all the necessary maps which cover the whole route and show considerable detail. We also provide specially written route descriptions. 

General Information

Hotels: The hotels described are our usual choice of accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used and if these are of a different standard you will be informed at the time of booking.

Baths/showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space. Some hotels/guesthouses may however have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests.

Breakfast: In countries such as France is usually coffee and toast/bread/croissant, if you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before. 

Special Dietary Requirements: It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Single Supplements: are payable on most of our tours.  The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. 

Solo Traveller Supplements: are payable when the cost per bag of moving luggage increases.

Language: When travelling in less frequented areas you will not necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you are experiencing a different culture, buy a phrase book and try to learn a little of the local language!

Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting your arrival. However don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask someone if you need assistance.

Route Notes: Please note that one set of route notes per room booked is included in the cost of the holiday. If you require more sets of notes then there is a charge of £25 per set ordered.

Insurance: All clients must have appropriate cover for the activities included for the duration of our trip.

Accommodation

Country hotels on a bed and breakfast basis with 5 evening meals included. These are of mainly 2-star category, all of whom have a reputation for good food. 

Nights 1 and 7. Souillac: A comfortable hotel (**Logis) in town centre with a good restaurant and a delightful garden where you may dine on sunny evenings. 

Night 2. Rocamadour: An attractive hotel (**Logis) within the old citadel 

Night 3 & 4: Sarlat: A lovely hotel (**Logis) near the centre with a swimming pool open in high season. Dinner is not included on the second night, so you can eat in-house or choose from a wealth of possibilities in the old town.

Night 5. Les Eyzies. An old-established family-run hotel (*** Logis) with swimming pool in the centre of this interesting and historic town. The hotel itself has been part carved into the rock face and is in a commanding high street position.

Night 6. Montignac: A comfortable hotel (**) near the centre of this superb riverside town. The chef has a strong reputation for good food and the hotel is also equipped with its own swimming pool.

Night 7: Souillac: As the final night’s dinner is not included, you can take the opportunity to sample one of the many excellent restaurants in the town.

Arrival

The starting point of the tour is at Souillac, reached by frequent trains via Brive. Brive is reached by direct non-TGV trains from Paris (and Toulouse). Examples of convenient direct trains on Saturdays are as follows, but you need to check for your dates:
Paris Austerlitz dep: 10.18      13.52 
Brive arr:                  14.18      18.00
Toulouse Matabiau dep: 11.18     13.22 
Brive arr:                        14.18     15.34
Although not a TGV route advance seat reservations are strongly advised.

Alternatively book Land Only and use cheap flights such as Ryanair London (Stansted) – Rodez, Limoges via St.Denis pres Martel, (but infrequent trains back to Rodez mean you may need to allow for a night’s stop here).

A new airport has opened in Brieve La Gaillarde and Cityjet fly there from London City.

For all train times you can check the French Railways website at www.sncf.com. Check all train times before travelling. 

Itinerary Guide

Note: suggested stopping places for lunch are not necessarily open daily or throughout the year. You are advised to enquire at the previous evening's hotel before planning a 'sit-down' lunch stop.

Day 1. Arrive in Souillac. 

Day 2. Souillac to Rocamadour: 32 kms (20 miles)
A gentle start to the week by heading due south towards the villages of Lacave and Cales and then dropping down into the spectacular valley that runs towards the citadel of Rocamadour. You enter the town and wonder at the magnificent architecture.

Day 3. Rocamadour to Sarlat: 50 kms (31 miles)
It is gently downhill for the first 6 miles of today, followed by a brief climb, and then another long trip down to the Dordogne floodplain. You cycle along the broad tree-lined Dordogne, passing the elegant Chateau de Fénelon, which can be visited. A former railway track ensures a gentle gradient as you enter the Renaissance streets of Sarlat.

Day 4. Sarlat Circular tour 32 kms (20 miles) (optional)
Sarlat combines fine Renaissance architecture and delightful specialist shops in what is nevertheless a bustling little county town. Spend the morning here before cycling across the Dordogne via the fairytale chateau de Montfort, to the fortified mediaeval town or "bastide" of Domme, perched above the river. Return via the ancient village of La Roque Gageac, built into the riverbank.

Day 5. Sarlat to Les Eyzies 48 kms (30 miles)
Leaving Sarlat, cycle through woods and fields to visit the Chateau de Beynac, which towers above the Dordogne on the North bank, glowering at the Chateau de Castelnaud, which has an interesting Museum of Mediaeval Warfare. Crossing the river here you continue past Les Milandes, a chateau made famous by the dancer Josephine Baker. At St. Cyprien you turn North to reach the River Vézère and the village of Les Eyzies, nestling beneath white cliffs pock-marked with the dark openings of caves.

Day 6: Les Eyzies to Montignac 32 kms (20 miles) (+ optional canoe trip)
Continue along the Vézère, to canoe beneath the dramatic troglodytic cliff-face of La Roque St. Christophe, inhabited from pre-historic times until the 17th Century. At the pretty village of St. Léon, a Romanesque church is built on the foundations of a Roman villa. Continue to the ancient town of Montignac, which has existed astride the Vézère since pre-Roman times.

Day 7.  Montignac to Souillac  43 kms (27 miles)
Cycle out to visit the famous caves of Lascaux, which have been called "the Sistine chapel of Pre-historic Art". Continue past the carved stone houses of St. Geniès, and the Chateau de Salignac. The Italianate gardens of the Manoir d'Eyrignac can be visited en route for Souillac.

Tour Ends

The tour ends at Souillac on the morning of day 8 . Return by train to Brive and non-TGV train onwards to Paris Austerlitz (about 4 hours) or to Toulouse (2 to 2.5 hours). 
Example Times:
Brive dep:                09.30    14.38
Paris Austerlitz arr: 13.40     18.51
Brive dep:                       07.33     11.59
Toulouse Matabiau arr:   09.48     14.11 
Train times subject to change. Timetable changes at the end of August and mid-December. Check times before travel.

For all train times you can check out our links on the website at www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk or visit the French Railways website at www.sncf.com. Check all train times before travelling.