Our tour to the Lot Valley takes you to La France Profonde, or âDeep Franceâ â a hidden land of stunning beauty and a surprise at every turn. It is away from the tourist crowds, but an astonishing number of internationally acclaimed sites dot this quiet landscape in southwest France. In its January 2001 issue, Travel & Leisure declared the Lot Valley one of the 100 âfabulous places (and things)â of 2001!
Location
Gourdon
Gourdon, France
Starting Location
Monpazier
Monpazier, France
Day 2
Maroux
Maroux, Carves, France
Day 3+4
Cahors
Cahors, France
Day 5
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France
Day 6+7
Gourdon
Gourdon, France
Day 8+9
Whatâs Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED INÂ REGULAR TRIP
8 nights lodging
All breakfasts and 2 dinners
Luggage transfers
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
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Any start date between April 1 and October 15
We recommend you to start your tour on a Monday so that you can see the market in Cahors held every Saturday.
We recommend you to start your tour on a Monday so that you can see the market in Cahors held every Saturday.
Custom trips also available and can start any date. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
9 days / 8 nights
ARRIVE / DEPART
Gourdon
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Daily distance 45 km or 30 miles average. Extra km possible.
TERRAIN
Some hills every day of moderate difficulty
COST
Classic Accommodation: US $3,025
Single Supplement:Â US $760
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$370
E-Bikes: US$640
E-bikes are generally available but are on an âon request basis â 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, weâll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable. Â
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, please contact us.
Getting There
You start in Gourdon, located about 550 km south of Paris.
Gourdon is on the main Paris-Toulouse rail line, a five-hour trip with no change of trains.
1
Day 1
Arrival in Gourdon, a lovely town with a charming medieval quarter of narrow streets, and a 14th century Gothic church. Our area manager will give you the bikes and a briefing for the tour.
Ride Distance: 8 km, elevation gain 95 m.*
2
Day 2
Head through the Bouriane through Daglan, St-Pompont, and Besse. Your destination is Monpazier, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved bastides of the Perigord. Bastides were fortified towns built in a grid pattern and surrounded by ramparts.
Ride Distance: 63 km, elevation gain 359 m or 35 km, gain 171 m.*
3
Day 3
Pedal past mighty Biron castle, besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1211, then enter the department of Lot-et-Garonne. Ride into the VallĂ©e de Gavaudun, where high cliffs pocked with caves loom over the river valley. Pause at the village of Gavaudun, perhaps climb to the old crenelated keep on its rocky spur. Soon youâll arrive at Mauroux where youâll stay two nights.
Ride Distance: 42 km, elevation gain 314 m.*
4
Day 4
Todayâs highlight is Bonaguil castle, the majestic fortress on the border between the PĂ©rigord and Quercy and one of the best examples of 15thâ and 16th-century military architecture in France. You can also ride to Villefranche-du-PĂ©rigord, a beautiful bastide town.
Ride Distance: 45 km, elevation gain 252 m.*
5
Day 5
Pedal through Puy LâĂveque, on one of the most picturesque sites on the Lot, and into the vineyards, famous for their dark red wines. Pass the feudal castle of La Coste and look for the carved doors in Douelle, then arrive in Cahors, an ancient city dating back to Gallo-Roman times. Be sure to visit the beautiful medieval bridge of ValentrĂ©.
Ride Distance: 57 km, elevation gain 328 m.*
6
Day 6
Todayâs ride is short, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular views and explore St-Cirq-Lapopie, perched on 100-foot high cliffs. Youâll stay here for two nights.
Ride Distance: 36 km, elevation gain 265 m.*
7
Day 7
Visit the Grotte de Pech Merle, full of wonderful prehistoric paintings, then ride into the tranquil and green Célé Valley, dotted with beautiful old villages and the remains of chùteaux. Return to St-Cirq-Lapopie.
Ride Distance: 86 km, elevation gain 220 m.*
8
Day 8
Leave the Lot Valley and the dry limestone causse to return to the green hills of the Bouriane. Watch for the ornate dormer windows, unique to the Bouriane. Todayâs destination is Gourdon.
Ride Distance: 73 km, elevation gain 538 m.*
9
Day 9
Enjoy a final stroll around Gourdon before departing on a new adventure.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Classic
Hostellerie de la Bouriane, Gourdon
This is a 3-star hotel with spacious rooms in the center of town, harmoniously decorated and well equipped with modern comforts. There is a delightful restaurant in the hotel.
Hotel Edward, Monpazier
This beautiful and well kept Chateau has rooms with stunning views of the PĂ©rigord hills or the medieval village of Monpazier. There is a swimming-pool with a large terrace in the enclosed garden. Member, Chateaux & Hotels Collection.
Hostellerie Le Vert, Mauroux
This secluded seventeenth century inn is surrounded by vineyards. The bedrooms are all comfortably and tastefully modernized and there is a pool and landscaped grounds. The restaurant serves excellent local cuisine.
Hotel Terminus, Cahors
With the rich décor, the hotel has a very elegant feel. The rooms are tastefully decorated and the staff is friendly and helpful. The restaurant is excellent and has an exceptional wine list.
Auberge Le Sombral, St-Cirq-Lapopie *Casual Inn
This pretty, yet modest hotel is nestled in the heart of St. Cirque and has just 9 guest rooms and a dining room serving regional specialities open Friday and Saturday evenings.
Trip Reviews
âWe thought the accommodations were very good. Very much liked staying in the places in Gourdon & Maroux as they are 100’s of years old & very comfortable. Staff was knowledgeable & helpful. Info provided was excellent. Routes along the rivers, taking in castles & chateaus were excellent…This was our 8th self-guided tour & we were very satisfied.â
“Years ago, we made the mistake of booking with a local outfit in another region of France thinking we could save some money. The roads they had us on were busy, and route instructions impossible to follow. We are glad to have found Randonnee. Everything was perfect this trip. Weâll be back.”
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