Join us as we cycle and paddle through the stunning Dordogne Valley, also known as the Périgord Noir. This carefully curated journey takes you off the beaten path into a land of golden-stone medieval villages, prehistoric cave art, and majestic cliffside châteaux perched high over the meandering river.
Our route follows quiet country lanes through lush green valleys, hazelnut groves, and oak forests. Along the way, we trade our bikes for paddles to glide downstream past towering fortresses, explore the legendary pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, and visit the haunting cave paintings of Lascaux.
Every detail of this luxury active holiday is designed to showcase the very best of southwest France. Savor exquisite regional cuisine and rest each evening in exceptional, hand-selected boutique hotels, culminating in a spectacular final night at a 5-star riverside château.
Rated 1 out of 4 our Leisure tours are designed for active people who are looking to combine easy miles on the bike with rest and relaxation. E-bikes are available on all of our tours. Rides are up to 50 km with occasional small climbs.
Welcome to the pastoral heart of southwest France! We meet at Brive-la-Gaillarde train station for our private transfer to our first hotel in the historic riverside village of Montignac, nestled on the banks of the Vézère.
After fitting your bikes, we head out for a light warm-up ride to the visitor centre housing the spectacular Lascaux Caves exhibition. Here, haunting prehistoric cave art dating back 15,000 to 20,000 years is displayed in a breathtaking, high-tech installation.
In the evening, we gather for our first three-course gourmet dinner to raise a glass to the magnificent cycling adventure ahead.
The day begins with a short, gentle climb to warm up our legs before we find rolling, quiet backroads. Our first stop is Roque Saint-Christophe, a fascinating cliffside dwelling carved directly into the limestone rock, used continuously from prehistoric times through to the Middle Ages.
Following our visit, we cycle to the exceptionally pretty village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. Listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, this peaceful gem has a population of under 500, artisan workshops, and a medieval donjon, making it the perfect stop for a leisurely lunch.
We return along the River Vézère, passing the majestic Château de Losse perched high over the water, leaving plenty of time to explore Montignac’s cobblestone streets before another local dinner.
We leave the Vézère Valley behind, following quiet, winding backroads through oak forests and hazelnut orchards to reach the capital of the Périgord Noir: Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Sarlat is one of Europe’s most spectacular medieval towns. Largely untouched by the Hundred Years’ War, its labyrinth of golden-stone streets, Renaissance palaces, and quiet courtyards feels beautifully frozen in time. Spend the afternoon wandering through Sarlat’s bustling market squares and cafes.
In the evening, we meet in the central square for a guided walk to our host restaurant for a classic regional dinner.
Today, we trade our bikes for paddles to experience the Dordogne from a completely different perspective! Floating downstream, we glide past towering cliffs and the majestic fortresses of Castelnaud and Beynac.
We dock our canoes at the spectacular cliff-hanging town of La Roque-Gageac, giving our legs a stretch and enjoying a morning coffee in a truly dramatic riverside setting.
A fresh picnic lunch on the grassy banks of the river caps off our canoe adventure before we cycle back to Sarlat. Tonight, you are free to dine independently and explore Sarlat’s lively local culinary scene.
With our legs rested, we embark on our longest ride. We climb steadily out of Sarlat on a dedicated, traffic-free cycle lane before joining a peaceful converted railway path winding toward the buzzing local cafe at Saint-Julien-de-Lampon.
We cross to the south side of the river, heading upstream past Souillac to enjoy a fresh picnic lunch. Leaving the river behind, we climb through dramatic limestone landscapes to reach the legendary village of Rocamadour.
Clinging directly to a sheer cliff wall over the Alzou River, Rocamadour has been a major pilgrimage site since the 10th Century. We explore the sacred Cité Religieuse and its historic chapels before a hearty local dinner.
Today, we cycle across the Causse de Gramat, a quiet, limestone plateau where the only sounds are cicadas and sheep bells. Our first destination is the spectacular Gouffre de Padirac, a massive 75m-deep chasm leading to a river flowing 103m underground, which we explore by boat and on foot.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a glorious ride on sheltered roads through the medieval village of Gluges before arriving at our spectacular final night base: a magnificent historic château perched directly over the Dordogne River.
We gather at the château for a final, unforgettable farewell dinner to toast our incredible week in the Périgord Noir.
Sadly, the tour has come to a close. Let us know your departure plans and we will organsie any necessary transfers for you.
FULL SUPPORT
Enjoy full ride support from our professional guide team & support vehicle.
The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition, electrolytes and water, as well as a full set of tools to resolve any mechanicals. On selected days the support crew will serve a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic location en route. Enjoy local foods chosen to keep you feeling energized and healthy.
Eat Sleep Cycle guides are experienced riders from all walks of life united by a love of cycling who’ll help to keep the group safe, motivated and savouring the trip of a lifetime.
All guests will receive access to our digital Road Book and routes, giving everyone the flexibility to ride at their own pace.
Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change
The Hotel & Restaurant Le Relais de Montignac-Lascaux is a gem nestled in the heart of the Périgord Noir. With its prime location
in the heart of the small town of Montignac-Lascaux, and benefiting from free private parking, our establishment offers an unparalleled accommodation experience.
This charming hotel is ideally located in the Périgord Noire: at the entrance to Sarlat, between listed
monuments, markets, restaurants, street entertainment and shows. Despite the proximity to the
city, the hotel is very quiet, the rooms are well soundproofed, so you will spend a very peaceful
night.
Located in the heart of the Medieval City, the old part of the hotel occupies a former 15th century mansion which belonged to Jehan Le Valon, Commander in the order of the “Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem “. It was from 1860 that this building became a small inn operated by the Jouclas-Menot family.
Set in a 14th-century castle on the banks of the Dordogne River.
Bike hire is not included in the tour. Add bike rental to the trip from €60 per day.Bikes shown here are examples and are subject to availabilty at the time of booking. We’ll let you know the available options in your size when you book with us.
Originally from Canada, Susan has called France home for many years after meeting her husband on a cycling holiday. A passionate recreational cyclist, she loves sharing quiet roads, beautiful scenery and local culture with guests. Chatty, welcoming and endlessly enthusiastic, Susan is happiest when everyone is enjoying the ride—whether that’s discovering a hidden village, stopping for coffee, or celebrating the day’s adventure with a delicious meal and, of course, a well-earned glass of rosé.
After more than 20 years working in Formula One, David swapped the high-pressure world of motorsport for life in the French Alps. He moved to France to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle and spend more time exploring the mountains by road and trail.
A keen road and former mountain bike racer, David has been guiding since 2008 and loves sharing his favourite routes, local knowledge and passion for great food and wine. Alongside his wife, Susan, he enjoys creating relaxed, memorable cycling holidays where guests feel welcome from day one. Thanks to his engineering expertise, he’s also always happy to make sure your bike is running as smoothly at the end of the day as it was at the beginning.
France has a way of pulling cyclists in. Maybe it’s the sweep of the mountains, the quiet backroads through vineyards, or the simple pleasure of rolling into a sunlit village for a coffee that somehow tastes better than anywhere else. Our cycling holidays in France are built around those moments. You can take on iconic climbs straight from the Tour de France, spin between châteaux, or wander through river valleys at a gentler pace. Whatever your riding style, we craft tours that feel personal, supported by local knowledge, great food, and the kind of atmosphere that turns a good trip into an unforgettable one.
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