Cycling trip from Bordeaux to the Dordogne

BORDEAUX

Arrive to Bordeaux on your own.

From BORDEAUX to SAINTE-RADEGONDE 109km 861m

You leave Bordeaux by following a bicycle path. Rather rolling, this start of the stage allows you to warm up. You continue your journey through the vineyards to Saint Emilion, a Cultural World Heritage Site, with its Roman churches and ruins along the narrow alleys.
Then, on the slightly sinuous small roads, between the vineyards and the prestigious castles, you leave Saint-Emilion to peacefully reach the edges of the Dordogne and Sainte Radegonde.

From SAINTE-RADEGONDE to LES EYZIES DE TAYAC 110km 1439m

You leave the terroirs of the Bordeaux appellation to join the AOP Monbazillac, the pride of the region. This white wine either liquoreux (very sweet) or moelleux (slightly sweet), goes wonderfully with aperitif, parsley cheeses and foie gras. You will find it on your table this evening without a doubt!

Leaving Bordeaux for the Dordogne, the relief changes. The first slopes follow one another and force you to change gears. You flow in these fresh landscapes, crossing authentic Périgord villages huddled around their often fortified steeples. Then, you arrive on the cingles. This is the name we give to the meanders of the Dordogne. The course becomes even more challenging. The steep paths follow one another and burn the thighs. You are rewarded with grandiose views. Your day ends at Eyzies-de-Tayac, a major prehistoric site.

From LES EYZIES DE TAYAC to ROCAMADOUR, DES EYZIES DE TAYAC A ROCAMADOUR 82km 1414m

The first part of the stage up to the Eyrignac gardens is very steep. Be ready from the first kilometers. Along the way, you pass the Chateau de Commarque before reaching the famous gardens. Many interesting stops along the way. A true green jewel of the Périgord Noir, the Eyrignac gardens are sumptuous. Then, pretty villages with slate roofs, Souillac, a pretty town with old well-preserved buildings. After Souillac, you find the Dordogne. The road follows along the river before climbing a hill. It’s a steep climb but what a beautiful panorama as a reward.
You then reach Rocamadour. This vertical village, built in successive steps above the cliff, hangs 150 meters above the Alzou canyon. Suffice to say that the last climb is selective. So among your comrades, who will win the prestigious Rocamadour sign?

• For a few more km 122km 1839m

  After the Lacave cave, you follow the Dordogne and discover the villages of Carennac, Loubressac and Autoire.

From ROCAMADOUR to SAINT CIRQ LAPOPIE 110km 1262m

A beautiful, hilly stage to discover the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park. With 111 kilometers and 1350 meters of elevation gain, this is a menu for the tough.

Today, you leave the banks of the Alzou to reach those of the Lot at Saint Cirq Lapopie.
On the way, you cross the Causse de Gramat, the most important of the Quercy Causses. The greatest wealth of this fascinating territory lies in its numerous stone treasures. Barns, caselles (dry stone huts), low walls, wells, washhouses, crosses, dolmens and menhirs, the landscape is interspersed by this priceless and emblematic small heritage. You arrive in the magnificent town of Figeac at the edge of the Lot valley which you follow up to St Cirq Lapopie.

Hanging on a cliff 100 meters above the Lot, Saint-Cirq Lapopie is one of the major sites in the Lot valley. This medieval village, with no less than 13 historic monuments, is one of the most beautiful villages in France.

From SAINT CIRQ LAPOPIE to GOURDON 86km 692m

From the medieval city of Saint-Cirq Lapopie, you reach the Célé valley. With the exception of a large hill midway through, you arrive without difficulty in Cahors, the capital of the Lot, which combines a southern atmosphere, historical wealth and gourmet pleasures!

After a few kilometers along the Lot, you head north, signing your return to Périgord. The course gets tougher. The climbs are linked as are the descents. It is on these roller coasters that you reach Gourdon. This small town has kept a strong medieval identity. Here, everything invites you to take a leap in history, especially on the occasion of the medieval festivals which resound, at the beginning of August, with the sound of swords and some songs of troubadours.

From GOURDON to SARLAT LA CANEDA 72km 1072m

This stage between Gourdon and Sarlat offers a fabulous playground. On a course in a once again hilly topography, you reach the banks of the Dordogne. From the perched medieval city of Domme, the route follows the Dordogne. You go to Roque Gageac then to Beynac, two villages built on the hillside. After the magnificent Milandes castle, the road rises again in the direction of Sarlat.

• For a few more km 91km 1430m

  Before reaching Sarlat, you make a detour through Belvès, classified as one of the most beautiful village in France.

SARLAT LA CANEDA

End of the stay after your breakfast. Have a safe trip back !