Cycling in the Dordogne

[gavgav]

Hello all,

I’m looking to arrange a cycle touring holiday in France, during late Summer 2027 for a big birthday.

Initial thoughts are beginning in Bordeaux and a 5 day circular tour into the Dordogne, for approx 50 miles per day.

Would love any advice on where to go, not to go, accommodation, etc, etc.

Thanks

 

[gavgav]

Anyone?!

 

[wakemalcolm]

Have you tried cycling UK? Apparently some of the people on there ride bikes n stuff. They have a fairly active touring sub forum.

 

[lifeonabike]

Dordogne rewards planning around vertical metres rather than distance. At 50 miles a day the distances are easy, but the châteaux sit on limestone bluffs and the valley roads keep climbing out and dropping back in — reckon on 700-1,000 m a day on the Sarlat side.

A clean five-day loop from Bordeaux: train out to Bergerac (bikes go on the TER regional services, no reservation needed), then Bergerac - Trémolat - Sarlat - Souillac and back west along the Dordogne through Beynac and Lalinde. The stretch between Trémolat and Sarlat is the best riding of the week, and the Cingle de Trémolat meander is worth timing for morning light.

Where not to go: avoid the D703 in August. It's the tourist artery and the drivers are on holiday. The parallel lanes on the north bank are slower and far better.

Late summer 2027 is a good call — September is still warm and the coach traffic at Sarlat and Rocamadour thins out after the 20th of August.