Classic bike (AT)
£186 for 6 days
Highlights
Description
The Dordogne Valley is one of France's quiet treasures: fortified medieval towns, golden-stone villages, and a landscape that rewards slow travel. This route runs from Agen, known for its prunes and Belle Époque charm, through the bastide towns that once marked the front line between England and France, and into the heart of the Périgord Noir.
Expect long, easy days in the saddle past castles, cliffside villages, and some of the best food in France: black truffles, foie gras, duck confit, and walnuts. By the time you reach Sarlat, one of the country's best-preserved medieval towns, you'll understand why this region keeps cyclists coming back.
Select the tour you are interested in to view the itinerary.
Make your way to your hotel in Agen, a city with over 2,000 years of history. Settle in, then explore the medieval streets and elegant boulevards, the Fine Arts Museum, or the lively market for local specialities like foie gras and the famous Agen prunes. Roadbook and bikes will be waiting for you. Overnight in Agen.
Example accommodation: Hôtel Agen Stim'Otel
Leave Agen for the medieval bastide of Villeneuve-sur-Lot through beautiful countryside. Along the way, stop at the Foie Gras Museum to learn the secrets of its production, then continue to Penne d'Agenais, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Overnight in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
Example accommodation: Hôtel Moulin de Madame, Villeneuve-sur-Lot ****
Ride to Monflanquin, another bastide classified among France's most beautiful villages, then through woods and forest to the fortress of Gavaudun, on the border of the Périgord and Lot Valley. Continue to the fortified castle at Biron before finishing in the medieval bastide of Monpazier, full of character and surrounded by Perigord chestnut and oak woodland. Overnight in Monpazier.
Example accommodation: Hôtel Edward 1er, Monpazier ***
Today's route follows the Route des Bastides, discovering thirteenth-century English bastides and remarkable religious monuments along the way. Take time to admire the cloister of Cadouin, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before finishing in the heart of the Périgord Noir, the most celebrated corner of the Dordogne.
Example accommodation: Auberge de la Petite Reine, Siorac-en-Périgord ***
Immerse yourself in the heart of the Périgord Noir and discover some of the valley's most beautiful châteaux, including Les Milandes, Castelnaud and Beynac. Ride alongside the Dordogne river through medieval villages, including the cliffside village of La Roque-Gageac, before continuing towards the gastronomic capital of the region for duck, foie gras and truffles.
Example accommodation: Hôtel le Compostelle, Sarlat ***
Cycle into the Vézère Valley, the capital of prehistory, with the chance to explore caves, rock shelters and prehistoric sites along the way. Finish with a last night in the beautifully preserved medieval village of Sarlat.
Example accommodation: Hôtel le Compostelle, Sarlat ***
Depart after breakfast.
We recommend flying to Agen and returning from Sarlat.
£186 for 6 days
£318 for 6 days
Included with bike hire
Getting to the start (Agen)
By plane: The easiest connection is flying into Paris (CDG or Orly) and taking the train onward. Direct TGV trains run from Paris Montparnasse to Agen around 14 times a day, with the fastest journey taking about 3 hours 30 minutes. Bordeaux is also a useful hub, well served from UK airports, with regional trains connecting to Agen from there.
By train: From London, take the Eurostar to Paris, change at Paris Montparnasse, and you can be in Agen in approximately 7 hours door to door. Agen station is a 10-minute walk from your first hotel.
By car: Paris to Agen is around 385 miles, taking roughly 5.5 hours via the A10/A62 motorway. Allow for tolls on French autoroutes. Bordeaux is an alternative base for car hire, around 75 miles from Agen.
Getting back from the tour (Sarlat)
By train: There are around five direct trains a day from Sarlat to Bordeaux, taking about 2.5 hours. From Bordeaux, TGV trains to Paris take around 2 hours. Sarlat station sits about 1km south of the old town — a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
By plane: Fly home from Bordeaux, which is around 2.5 hours from Sarlat by road or train and has excellent UK connections. Bergerac Airport is a closer option, around 45 minutes by road, with seasonal services to UK airports.
By car: The drive from Sarlat back to Paris takes around 5.5 hours via the A20 north to Brive-la-Gaillarde, then the A89/A10. Bordeaux is around 2.5 hours and a good option if you flew in that way.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
Guided • 7 nights
Easy
From £1,250
Only 6 dates left
