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.
Location
Rocamadour
Rocamadour, France
Day 1
Lacave
Lacave, France
Day 2
Souillac
Souillac, France
Day 3
Carsac-Aillac
Carsac-Aillac, France
Day 4
La Roque-Gageac
La Roque-Gageac
Day 5
Domme
Domme, France
Day 6
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Day 7+8
Gourdon
Gourdon, France
Day 9+10
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED INÂ REGULAR TRIP
9 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 3 dinners
Luggage transfers
Canoe rental
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Specifics
TRIP DATES
Start any date between April 1 and October 15
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
10 days / 9 nights, 2-3 days walking, 2 days canoeing, 3-4 days cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Rocamadour / Gourdon
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Rides: 45 km daily average (30 miles)
Shorter or longer rides possible. The length of the trip can be customized. Please call or email us for more details.
Walks: 10 to 16 km daily (6 to 10 miles)
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.
TERRAIN
Some hills every day of minor to moderate difficulty
COST
Classic Accommodation: US$3,375
Single supplement: US$850
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$415
E-Bikes: US$720
The price of e-bike rentals takes into consideration the additional cost for delivery and pick-up as we source the best available in the region, which may not be convenient to the trip start and/or finish.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions before making your reservation, please contact us.
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.
1
Day 1
Rocamadour
Arrival in the ancient pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, a near-vertical village overlooking the isolated Ouysse ravine.
Hiking Distance: 4 km.*
2
Day 2
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.
Hiking Distance: 16 km.*
3
Day 3
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.
Hiking Distance: 11 km.*
4
Day 4
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.*
5
Day 5
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.*
6
Day 6
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.*Â
7
Day 7
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.*
8
Day 8
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, gain 385 m.*
9
Day 9
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 nedieval quarter of narrow streets and golden limestone houses.
Ride Distance: 67 km, elevation gain 450 m or 90 km, gain 685 m.*
10
Day 10
Take a final stroll through Gourdon before heading off on your next adventure.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Classic
Les Vieilles Tours, Rocamadour
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.
Pont de l’Ouysse, Lacave
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
La Vieille Auberge, Souillac
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-PĂ©rigourdin.
Le Relais du Touron, Carsac
This 3-star hotel with restaurant is located in the peaceful surroundings of a large park and just 700 m from the village of Carsac-Aillac. There is a lovely pool and gardens to enjoy.
Hotel La Belle Etoile, La Roque de Gageac
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, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
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.
Hostellerie de la Bouriane, Gourdon
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.
Trip 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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