DORDOGNE CASTLES CYCLE TOUR

This cycling tour is for a maximum of 9 people and held over 3 nights at the most charming accommodation, at or close to the wine tasting cellars or chateau. The Dordogne wine region, close to but different from Bordeaux, benefits from the sun of the south balancing a basically Atlantic climate. It is a land of romantic castles, of battle-torn history between rival religions, of elegant manor houses and Romanesque churches, and of course the cooking of the Périgord, world-famous partner for the regional wines.  Book a tour

Flights are not included in our tours, but we will take care of you from your arrival at the airport, assuming that you are able to make the pick-up time. There will be one airport collection, usually at 12:00pm. Otherwise, you can make your one way from the airport via taxi and/or public transport. See *transport* links below for more information. On arrival, you will be greeted with a welcome cocktail where your tour will be presented, followed by your first wine-tasting event 

The tour will be held over a period of 3 nights, meeting at Bordeaux airport, returning by minibus to the airport on the afternoon of the fourth day. We will be staying in a charming self-catering or bed and breakfast type villa.

Mountain bikes will be provided from the accommodation allowing 2 full days of cycling on beautiful off-road trails and quiet lanes, stopping off for castle visits, refreshments and returning to the accommodation each day.

There will be time to chill-out before going for wine-tasting sessions and gastronomic evening meals, allowing the delights of the rich Perigord culinary region to be sampled along with the wine in local gastronomic restaurants.

On the last day, we will visit wonderful prehistoric caves close to Les Eyzies with 12000-year-old cave paintings, (the only site with coloured paintings still open to the public), before returning to the airport by minibus.

The full programme is shown below.

Programme – Dordogne tour

 DescriptionLeisureModerateAdvanced
Day 1
  • Flight from your departure point.
  • 12:00 Airport pickup and minibus transfer from Bordeaux to Sarlat
  • check-in to the accommodation, typically a comfortable villa with pool.
  • first wine-tasting session
  • a gastronomic restaurant meal.
   
Day 2
  • Breakfast.
  • Transport to start location and bike allocation/fitting.
  • Morning ride.
  • Picnic lunch and visit castles
  • Afternoon return ride
  • Wine-Tasting event at wine cellar or Chateau
  • Return to the accommodation – freshen-up and relax, games, pool in summer, etc.
  • Evening Meal
  • Morning ride: 25km
  • Afternoon ride: 15km
  • Morning ride: 50km
  • Afternoon ride: 30km
  • Morning ride: 60km
  • Afternoon ride: 40km
Day 3
  • Breakfast.
  • Transport to start location.
  • Morning ride.
  • Gastronomic Light lunch and  Castles visit etc
  • Return Afternoon ride
  • Return to the accommodation – freshen-up
  • Evening Meal at the accommodation.
  • Morning ride: 25km
  • Afternoon ride: 15km
  • Morning ride: 50km
  • Afternoon ride: 30km
  • Morning ride: 60km
  • Afternoon ride: 40km
Day 4
  • Breakfast and Checkout from the accommodation, luggage to reception.
  • Travel to Les Eyzies – Prehistoric Cave paintings visit
  • Drop-off  Bordeaux airport 14:00 approx.
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