Teachers' Travel              HF Holidays
2010
Independent  Bicycle Tours

Dordogne, France

 

Dordogne Independent Cycling  Tour Details
Cycle at your own pace through the most beautiful countryside of Europe. Luggage is shipped from inn to inn. You have a map and detailed route instructions plus as a local representative who can be called for assistance.

The Dordogne Region is located in south-western France and is known for its cuisine as well as its historic sites. This cycling holiday starts and finishes in Souillac in the valley of the Dordogne River. Cycle on tiny lanes and byroads, initially following the river, which winds through a landscape of steep green wooded hills, patchwork fields and terraced slopes. This area of France is rich in scenery, architecture, history - and of course has a famous gastronomic reputation, as this is the home of the truffle!
Cost:                               675 UK    based on double.
Single supplement:        234.50 UK    

Start Dates: any day from April to mid October. Duration: 7 nights.

Included: Breakfast daily, accommodation, luggage transfer, bicycle hire.

Tour Profile: Moderate. This holiday follows mainly quiet roads with some sections on busier roads. There are some hills on this tour, but generally over short distances and with wonderful views.

 Accommodation - You will stay in comfortable 2 and 3-star hotels along the route. Here is selection of some of the accommodation used on this holiday to give you an idea of the standard to expect.

Arcantis Grand Hotel, Souillac - This 3-star hotel has en-suite rooms, restaurant and bar.
Hotel La Couleuvrine or Hotel Saint Albert, Sarlathese - are both 2-star hotels located in the heart of Sarlat. The Hotel La Couleuvrine has en-suite bedrooms and a restaurant in its medieval dining room. The Hotel Saint Albert offers en-suite rooms, restaurant and a bar.
Auberge le Trefle à 4 Feuilles, Siorac-en-Périgord -  In a typical stone building, this small hotel has comfortable en-suite rooms and a restaurant serving lunch and dinner menus.
Hotel le Moulin de la Beune or Hotel Le Cro-Magnon, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac - The Moulin de la Beune is a 2-star hotel (formally a mill) idyllically situated on the banks of the river Beune, offering comfortable accommodation. The Hotel Le Cro-Magnon is a 3-star hotel with a pool, and has been a stage coach inn since 1850. The Cro-Magnon man was discovered in the hotel's outbuildings in 1868.
Le Relais du Soleil d’Or, Montignac-Lascaux - In the centre of the town, this 3-star hotel has 32 en-suite rooms, a restaurant, bar and outdoor swimming pool.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Souillac and explore the old quarter.

Day 2:  (19 miles)  Follow the Dordogne along quiet roads and a cycle path to the town of Sarlat. Stop en route at the impressive feudal fortress of Chateau de Fénelon.

Day 3:  Spend a free day exploring Sarlat’s cobbled streets and admiring the Renaissance buildings. On Saturdays, there is a vibrant market.

Day 4:  (25 miles) Cycle to the fortified hilltop town of Domme with its wonderfully preserved gateways and walls. Continue to the ancient village of La Roque Gageac, nestled into a cliff and one of the most beautiful villages in France. Overnight in Siorac-en-Périgord.

Day 5: (22 miles) Discover the village of Les Eyzies at the heart of this beautiful area. Visit the nearby Font de Gaume caves which boast over 200 prehistoric paintings.

Day 6: (20 miles) Continue along the Vézère valley beneath the cliffs of la Roque St. Christophe. Spend the night in ancient Montignac, home of the world-famous Lascaux cave paintings.

Day 7: (27 miles) Visit the replica cave paintings, then return to Souillac past the limestone village of St. Geniès and the beautiful 18th century gardens at Eyrignac.

Day 8: Departure day.

 The Bikes  You will be provided with a 21-gear bicycle with a bicycle bag and lock. You will be supplied with a repair kit.