Biking, walking and canoeing along the most beautiful river in France
The Dordogne is often called the most beautiful river in France. Our tour to this land of the castles of Richard the Lionheart features the most famous and spectacular section of the river, studded with castles and cave art. The walking, pedalling and canoeing are all perfect, and a plenitude of sights and attractions rounds out your vacation. This tour to the southwest serves as a delightful introduction to France, but also suits experienced adventurers.
Rocamadour, France
Day 1
Lacave, France
Day 2
Souillac, France
Day 3
Carsac-Aillac, France
Day 4
La Roque-Gageac
Day 5
Domme, France
Day 6
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Day 7+8
Gourdon, France
Day 9+10
| Start any date between Apr 1 and Oct 31. |
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| Custom trips are also available and can start any date, call or email for details. |
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate
Rides: 45 km daily (30 mi)
Hikes: 10 to 16 km daily (6 to 10 mi)
Canoe : The canoeing is appropriate for skilled beginners and up. There are some sections of fast water with possible eddies, but there are no rapids or waterfalls and no portaging is ever required. Typically the canoeing fills about 4 to 5 hours of the day.
TerrainSome hills every day of minor to moderate difficulty
CostClassic Accommodation: US $3,650
Single Supplement: US $910
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $260
Racing Bikes: US $360
E-Bikes*: US $400
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Getting There
The tours begin in Rocamadour, about 550 km south of Paris.To reach Rocamadour you need to change trains in Brive-la-Gaillarde and the whole trip takes close to seven hours. Note that you could also take a train to Souillac then our area manager would transfer you to Rocamadour.
Please note: French law prohibits anyone who does not know how to swim from canoeing or boating. If you are selecting an itinerary that includes canoeing, all members of your group must know how to swim. Please also remember that babies and small children are not allowed in canoes.
Should water conditions render canoeing unsafe, our canoe rental companies will not permit you to canoe. In most cases we have no advance knowledge of this, but wherever possible we will provide you with alternate activities and route descriptions.
Rocamadour
Arrival in the ancient pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, a near-vertical village overlooking the isolated Ouysse ravine.
Hike Distance: 4 km
Lacave
The route to Lacave traverses the causse, a wild limestone plateau with stone walls and black-eyed sheep. You’ll walk through remote river canyons, along the same paths followed by pilgrims a thousand years ago.
Hike Distance: 16 km
Souillac
Leave the Ouysse River Valley for the larger Dordogne. Pass the Belcastel and the Chateau la Treyne and through delightful villages. Arrive in Souillac, a bustling town with a delightful Romanesque abbey church. Soak in the atmosphere of the Café de Paris, where refugee poets and artists congregated during the war.
Hike Distance: 11 km
Carsac
Today you’ll see the Dordogne from a whole new angle as you canoe to your next destination. From the water you’ll see castles and charming villages, as well as the cliffs and woods that surround them. Arrive at Carsac-Aillac, a picturesque village with houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Carsac also has a small Romanesque church from the 11th-century.
Distance: 12 to 20 km
La Roque Gageac
More canoeing is on the agenda today. Pass the spectacular castle of Montfort, plus lots more of the well known scenery of the Dordogne: walnut groves, cliff faces, quaint villages. Pause for a walk to spectacular Domme, then continue to La Roque Gageac, your base for two nights.
Distance: 10 to 12 km
Domme
Enjoy a full day to explore the region. Wander through Sarlat, with its charming winding streets and magnificent buildings. Visit Beynac, then Castelnaud castle with its medieval warfare museum. Feast your eyes on the unforgettable view from the golden hilltop village of Domme.
Ride Distance: 60 km, elevation gain: 620 m
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Enjoy spectacular views of the Dordogne valley as you follow winding roads through the forests and villages of the Périgord Noir. Pause at St-Cyprien, dominated by its massive Romanesque church, then head to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, sometimes referred to as “The World Capital of Prehistory”.
Ride Distance: 33 km; elevation gain: 355 m
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
On a day ride from Les Eyzies you’ll explore the Vézère River valley. This is the land of the most famous prehistoric sites, including caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit Font de Gaume, Abri du Cap Blanc, and the lovely village of St-Léon. Go as far as Lascaux.
Ride Distance: 44 km; elevation gain: 355 m or 42 km; elevation gain: 385 m
Gourdon
Savour the beauty and tranquility of this charming landscape as you follow gentle river valleys through the green hills of the Bouriane to Gourdon, a beautiful town with a charming medieval quarter of narrow streets and golden limestone houses.
Ride Distance: 67 km; elevation gain: 450 m or 90 km; elevation gain: 685 m
Depart
Take a final stroll through Gourdon before heading off on your next adventure.
This charming 17th century chateau, located 4.5 km in the countryside from Rocamadour, has large gardens and pool, and the rooms are furnished with period furniture. Excellent restaurant on site. Member; Hotels de Charms ; Chateaux & Hotels Collection.
This luxurious hotel is in a beautiful and peaceful location by the L'Ouysse river. There is a pleasant pool and beautiful grounds and a wonderful restaurant with excellent cuisine. Member: Châteaux & Hôtels Collection
This 3-star hotel was a former coach inn and has been tastefully restored to provide comfortable lodging in a calm setting. The hotel boasts an excellent restaurant where you will taste the gastronomy of the Quercy-Périgourdin.
This modest family-run auberge in the village of Carsac has basic, but comfortable rooms and a restaurant on site where 3 generations serve. *If you are booking Classic and wish to upgrade to a more upscale property, the Villa Romaine is an option.
Situated in one of the most beautiful villages in France, this hotel is a converted mansion that offers spacious and comfortable rooms enjoying views over the river. Enjoy delicious meals in the spacious dining room and relax on the lovely, intimate terrace.
Hotel du Centenaire combines the warmth of a family home with the elegance of a charming hotel. Situated in the quaint commune of Les Eyzies, this hotel is rich history and offers exquisite gastronomy.
This is a 3-star hotel with spacious rooms, harmoniously decorated and well equipped with modern comforts. There is a delightful restaurant in the hotel.
Tour Reviews
“The tour directions were easy to follow and provided interesting information. The bikes were great. Loved the saddle bags for jackets and such, as well as the bag on the handle bar which could be unclipped and taken along to see the sights. The hotel Pont de Louysse in Lacave was fabulous. The grounds with their varied outdoor garden rooms and beautiful flowers were spectacular. We sat outside around the pool and also beside the fallen bridge. It was very poetic. Our room was beautifully decorated with French country bed linens and antiques furniture. The large bed was heavenly. The food at their restaurant was probably the best we had during our entire stay in Europe – it was superbly prepared and presented, and it tasted so good that I will always remember it. The hotel in La Roque Gageac, La belle Etoile was also lovely. We had a well-appointed room overlooking the Dordogne river and could watch the cruise boats and canoes going up and down as well as people moving about. The hiking and canoeing were beautiful and well within our abilities. The Area Manager transported our bags daily and brought and picked up our bikes. He was very prompt and efficient. He was also generous enough to allow Marie to ride with him on the last day. We were blown away by the natural beauty of the area, the chateaux, the castles, the caves and rock formations, and the staggering amount of pre-history. Each fortified town seemed more amazing than the next. Our trip took us through rural towns and hillsides where we ate apples and figs from wild trees and blackberries from hedges. We also got to taste the bountiful harvest of walnuts just lying on the grounds. And the meals were incredible. They are serious gastronomes in the southwest France!”
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