Tour Summary
Tour Dates: You may begin this tour on any day except Sunday. See
Schedule for blackout dates and
additional tour scheduling details.
Location: The
region of France known as Black Périgord, black for the darkness created by its
large tracks of thick forests. Its long history is everywhere in evidence --
from its medieval villages with their looming castles, largely unchanged after
500 years, to the prehistoric cave dwellings with their 55,000 year old murals.
The Dordogne River, long the embattled border between France and England,
continues to separate the castles of the once rival nations. But you won't find
hostilities now. Instead you'll enjoy tranquil cycling along the quiet, scenic
roads that connect the splendidly preserved 15th century villages.
This tour feature 4
nights in Sarlat. The train trip from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport to Sarlat
requires about 7 hours. Because of the time required to make the return trip to
Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport from Montignac, plan to layover at least 1
night in Paris on the back-end of your tour.
Tour Type:
Hub & Spoke Tour available with
standard support.
Terrain: The terrain of this area consists primarily of rolling hills --
from gentle to wicked. The most popular day trip (the castle circuit) however,
requires no long climbs. If you're into serious cycling, this tour includes
plenty of options to test your meddle!
Length: 3 days /
4 nights. Ride as many days as you like. Day trips include options for adding
distance and challenge. Day trips can also be shortened.
Distance:
Choose from 8 day-trips ranging from 16 - 42 miles (25 - 68 km) in length.
Highlights:
Experience prehistory
firsthand as you explore the Font de Gaume cave, offering some of the
world's finest prehistoric cave paintings, and Les Eyzies with its much-renowned
museum, cave, and cliff-dwellings.
Tour magnificent
medieval castles (English guided tours available) set along the scenic
shores of the Dordogne River.
Marvel at some of the
world's most beautiful gardens (often located on the grounds of the
castles).
Enjoy free wine
tasting opportunities nearly everywhere along your route.
Sarlat, perhaps
the most extraordinarily restored medieval village in Europe.
Delight over some of
France's finest wines and tastiest cheeses and fois gras!
Day Trip Descriptions
Base: Sarlat
Sarlat is practically a living museum of the 15th century, Sarlat's Golden
Age. In fact, its entire medieval center has been granted protected status to
preserve its historical grandeur. Sarlat's tiny medieval streets are lined with
a vast array of wonderful restaurants offering cuisines from around the world,
laid back sidewalk cafés, lively bars and exciting galleries, boutiques and
shops. Located in a valley amidst the splendor of the rolling hills of the
Périgord countryside, a more appealing or wonderful base location could be
hardly imagined.
Spoke 1:
Prehistoric Artists
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Very hilly with climbing required throughout. |
|
Distance: |
54 km / 33
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip takes you through the dense Périgord forests to some of the world's most
notable sites for prehistoric cave art. The route is absolutely gorgeous through
wooded hills and pristine landscapes. Noteworthy sites along the route include
the village of
Les Eyzies,
known as the capital of prehistory, with its Museum of Prehistory, the Grotte du
Font du Gaume (cave paintings), and the
Abri de Cap Blanc, known for its prehistoric sculptures. |
Spoke 2: The
Heights of Black Périgord
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Hilly with intermittent breaks in the form of fairly flat stretches. |
|
Distance: |
68 km / 42
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip takes you through the dense Périgord forests to
St. Cyprien, a beautiful village overlooking the Dordogne valley;
Belvès, a medieval bastide commanding tremendous views and considered one of
the most beautiful villages in France; and then on to the left-bank Dordogne
castles. Splendid scenery, quiet roads, and castles are the hallmarks of this
day's ride. |
Spoke 3: Bucolic Beauty
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. The easiest of the longer rides, the terrain is flat or gently
rolling for the most part, with an occasional climb to permit you to enjoy
panoramic views of your surroundings. |
|
Distance: |
41 km / 25
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip features tiny, quiet country roads and the opportunity to visit aquatic
gardens and the
Castle of Fénelon. Most of the ride is wooded, passing through an occasional
little village. Villages of note include Carsac, St. Julien, and Carlux. |
Spoke 4: Salignac
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Challenging climbs at the beginning and end of the ride, but lots of
gently rolling and flat terrain in between. |
|
Distance: |
48.5 km /
30 miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip takes you past numerous castles that dot the wooded landscape of this
sparsely populated part of Périgord. Villages include St. Crépin, Salignac,
Borrèze, and St. Nathalène. |
|
Option: |
Optional side trip to the
Jardins d'Eyrignac, France's most visited garden owing to its
incredible beauty. |
Spoke 5: Dordogne Castle Circuit
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Mostly flat with a few gentle climbs. Of course, if you elect to
tour any of the castles you'll be passing on the circuit, a fairly steep, but
short, climb up to the castle awaits you. |
|
Distance: |
53 km / 33
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip takes you on a loop along both sides of the castle-studded Dordogne River.
Along your way, you'll pass the following castles: Château la Malartrie,
Castelnaud,
Château des Milandes, Château Feyrac,
Château de Beynac, and
Château de Marqueyssac.
Don't worry about touring all the castles you'll be passing. Some are closed to
the public altogether and thus can be only appreciated from the exterior; and
others only open their extraordinary gardens to the public. However, the
interiors of at least three of the castles are open to the public (see Spokes 6
and 7). Along your route you'll also pass through the riverside village of
la Roque-Gageac which, due to its unique setting, enjoys a subtropical
microclimate. If you need to rest awhile, you can hire a boat in la Roque-Gageac
for more relaxed touring along the river. |
Spoke 6: Right Bank Castles
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Mostly flat. |
|
Distance: |
36 km / 22
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip is designed for those who wish to spend the day touring in depth the sights
on the right-bank of the Dordogne. These sights include the
Château de Beynac, (offering the best guided tour on the right bank), and
the gardens of the Château
de Marqueyssac. Finally, this route also includes the riverside village of
la Roque-Gageac with its Troglodytic cliff dwellings, magnificent views,
unique microclimate and relaxing boat rides along the Dordogne. |
Spoke 7: Left Bank Castles
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Mostly flat. |
|
Distance: |
43 km / 26
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip is designed for those who wish to spend the day touring in depth the sights
on the left-bank of the Dordogne. These sights include the
Castelnaud castle, (offering the best guided tour on the left bank), and the
Château des Milandes and its gardens. Milandes was for decades the home of
Josephine Baker, a Black American entertainer who captured the hearts of Europe
in the 1920s. She purchased the castle as the home for her "rainbow tribe," the
many children of all races that she adopted.
|
Spoke 8: Domme
|
Route: |
Begins and
ends in
Sarlat. Mostly flat until the climb up to Domme, about 3 km of climbing. |
|
Distance: |
25 km / 16
miles |
|
Description: |
This day
trip's destination is the bastide of
Domme,
a magnificently preserved fortified medieval village commanding an awesome view
of the Dordogne Valley. One can easily spend a half-day exploring its sights and
attractions. |
|
