Diverse Directions
Self-Guided Cycling Tours in France

Black Périgord Tour

Tour Overview

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Tour Dates: You may begin this tour on any day. See Schedule for blackout dates and additional tour scheduling considerations.

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 is based in Sarlat, a 7.5 hour train ride from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport. Because of the time required to make the return trip to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport from Sarlat (7+ hours), your should plan to layover at least 1 night in Paris on the back-end of your tour. The train trip from Sarlat to downtown Paris requires about 6 hours.

Tour Type: Hub & Spoke Tour

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: 4 days / 4 nights or 6 days / 6 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!

Pricing Details

Note: All prices are US dollars.

6-Day Version Price - US $450.00 per adult & $275.00 per child*

4-Day Version Price - US $335.00 per adult & $200.00 per child*

     *Children age 16 or younger traveling with 2 adults.

Discounts are available for parties of 5 or more adults.

The tour price includes:

• Tour Documentation: Route instructions, map, Pre-trip Preparation Guide, On-Road Quick Reference Guide, and Sights Guide.

• Bike Rental for 4 or 6 Days: Excellent quality 27-speed hybrid or mountain bike with handlebar bag, map carrier, cyclometer, water bottle cage, rear rack, lock, repair kit, and helmet. Optional pedal cages. Road / racing bikes are available for a supplemental charge.

• Delivery and Pick-up of your rental bike

• English-Speaking Support Staff

• Reservation of your Accommodations

• Shipping and Handling Charges for US customers

• Basic SAG Support: If you choose not to cycle on one or more days due to weather, illness, etc., AND you notify your Diverse Directions support representative in advance so that you and your bikes can be transported along with your luggage, no additional charges will apply.

The tour price does NOT include:

• Hotels: Because you are free to select from a wide range of hotels -- from charming and basic 2-star to 4-star luxury (where available) -- the cost of your hotel accommodations is not bundled into the tour package price. See our Accommodations Options page for the price ranges of each category of hotel. A list of accommodations options for this tour, with website links, is available upon request.

• Meals: You are free to determine your own budget for meals. A wide variety of options are available -- from creating a picnic from provisions obtained at a boulangerie / patisserie, to dining at bistros and restaurants, or taking meals at your hotel (where available.) Please note that breakfasts are NOT included in France hotel rates. However, hotels with restaurants often offer a demi-pension option, which includes the cost of your room, breakfast, and dinner at a reasonable price.

• Transportation from your home to Sarlat and from Sarlat to your home.

• Personal expenses

• Insurance

• Shipping and Handling Charges for non-US customers. A shipping & handling charge of US $15.00 will be added to tour package orders outside the US.

For Diverse Directions' payment terms, cancellation policy, and all terms & conditions, please see Terms & Conditions.

When you are ready to book your tour, please complete and submit our secure Tour Order Form.

Sarlat, Your Base

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.

Day Trip Descriptions

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.

When you are ready to book your tour, please complete and submit our secure Tour Order Form.

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