Bordeaux to Sarlat cycling tour: between vineyards, castles and Dordogne river | 9 days
9 days / 7 days riding / ref. BS1 9J / Difficulty Sustained / Linear tripper person
Your cycling tour from Bordeaux to Sarlat:
From the great wines of Bordeaux reach the medieval Dordogne castles.
A 7-stage cycling tour offering fascinating sceneries, from the vineyards of Bordeaux, St Émilion and Sauternes to the most impressive mediaeval fortresses of Dordogne: Beynac castle and Castelnaud castle! The meandering Dordogne river leads you through amazing landscapes to La Roque Gageac and Sarlat, the splendid capital of the Périgord Noir.
Tour highlights
- Cycle through the great wines of Bordeaux
- The breathtaking views of the “5 castles valley”
- The medieval towns of St Émilion and Sarlat
- Take some short breaks for (foie gras!) tasting
Day 1Arrival in Bordeaux
Discover Bordeaux, with its numerous green and flowered open spaces, its exceptional heritage, and its quality of life naturally punctuated with gastronomic pleasures and night parties. Enjoy its remarkable renovated Garonne river banks.
Day 2Bordeaux – Cadillac | 47 km
For your first bike stage, leave easily the town centre to ride on an original and rustic cycling path which will lead you through the heart of ‘Entre-deux Mers’ vineyards to Créon, a typical fortified village of the area, then to the former Sauve-Majeure Abbey. Then continue through the vineyards of Cadillac to old village’s surrounding walls, overlooked by a beautiful castle.
Day 3Excursion to Sauternes vineyards | 46 km
Another loop for your papilla and your adventure in the vineyards : After a ride between forest and vineyards, the Chateau Yquem appears … veritable icon of the Sauternes wines ! A honey flavour for a sweet white wine highly appreciated by wine’s lover ! From the deep cellars to the small routes between vineyards, ride on the path of a soil renown through the entire world. Then en route you have the opportunity to stop at the Toulouse Lautrec resting place before coming back to Cadillac.
Day 4Cadillac – St Emilion | 49 km
Ride through the heart of ‘Entre-deux Mers’ vineyards, from the Garonne to the Dordogne river. After a stop at medieval chateau of Rauzan, continue to explore the Bordeaux vinyards by reaching the famous village of Saint-Émilion. Discover this World Heritage site, the fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.
Day 5Saint Emilion – Bergerac | 67 km
Cycle once again through the famous St Emilion vineyards before reaching the Dordogne river. There you will enjoy the charming 18th century Sainte-Foy-la-Grande village with its half-timbered houses and sunny streets. From here, follow the splendid routes going through the Montbazillac vineyards, overlooked by its majestic chateau. Stop in Bergerac, city of art & history settled on the Dordogne river banks.
Day 6Bergerac – Les Eyzies | 60 km
Leave the Renaissance city center of Bergerac to follow the meandering Dordogne river up to the beautiful and picturesque village of Limeuil. At the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vézère rivers, this medieval village offers an ideal swimming or canoe spot in an outstanding natural environment. Continue to Les Eyzies, a amazing village built on a cliff and capital of Pre-History!
Day 7Les Eyzies – Sarlat | 23 km or 53 km
On the long version of this stage, from Les Eyzies, you will enjoy the beautiful landscapes until Montignac in order to the well known Lascaux Cave which are one of the most important prehistoric sites thanks to their numerous prehistorical paintings and caves.
Ride the scenic routes through the ‘Sarladais’ country to join the famous medieval town of Sarlat. This city with its cobbled streets, old roofs, and warm stone walls give an exceptional heritage. Sarlat is also well known by gourmets for its delicious local products (such as ducks ‘foie gras’ and truffles). Enjoy its market where you can smell, taste and discover all these treasures.
Day 8Excursion to La Roque Gageac & Beynac | 40 km
A last bike excursion to discover the most beautiful views over the Dordogne area, with its numerous medieval villages and chateaux. First ride on the peaceful cycling path, then go to the charming Domme village, offering an amazing view over all the valley and the river. Then continue to La Roque Gageac, old river harbour pressed up against the cliff before visiting Beynac with its impressive 12th century chateau perched on a rocky peak! Then come back to Sarlat.
Day 9Departure during the day
Good to know!
You will have the possibility to shortern some bike stages by taking the train!
Please consult “more info“.
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 8 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
1 dinner (drinks not included)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 7 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 7 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (8 nights included)
•
Transfer from Sarlat to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
• 8 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
1 dinner (drinks not included)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 7 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 7 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (8 nights included)
•
Transfer from Sarlat to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 50%
from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
TREK hybrid bike - 27 speed gears
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar bag with map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided
CUBE e-bike
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar bag with map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided
Practical details
- Rental bikes will be available from our local partner.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.
Your journey
Tour description:
Roads with little traffic and some cycling paths through vineyards to leave Bordeaux.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Bordeaux – Cadillac : 47 km / elevation gain : 450m / elevation loss : 441m
- excursion to Sauternes vineyards : 46 km / elevation gain : 396m / elevation loss : 393m
- stage Cadillac – Saint-Emilion : 49 km / elevation gain : 462m / elevation loss : 394m
- stage Saint-Emilion – Bergerac : 67 km / elevation gain : 226m / elevation loss : 263m
- stage Bergerac – Les Eyzies : 60 km / elevation gain : 544m / elevation loss : 524m
- stage Les Eyzies – Sarlat (short version) : 23 km / elevation gain : 431m / elevation loss : 340m
- stage Les Eyzies – Sarlat (long version) : 53 km / elevation gain : 985m / elevation loss : 901m
- excursion to La Roque-Gageac and Beynac : 40 km / elevation gain : 410m / elevation loss : 407m
GPX files:
Besides the maps, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
Good to know!
You will have the possibility to shortern some bike stages by taking the train!
On this document you will find the time schedule of all the train stations of the train line Bordeaux > Sarlat: see the train schedules.
How to arrive in Bordeaux
By train:
From Paris Montparnasse station >> Bordeaux St Jean station (about 2h10 by TGV train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane:
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest – Line 1 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes
- From Bordeaux-Mérignac airport:
– Shuttle transfer (30 minutes) to town center (Bordeaux St Jean train station).
www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
www.30direct.com
Return
If you have to come back to the start point:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility)
– Sarlat train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (about 2h40 by train).
– Sarlat >> Bordeaux (by taxi).
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports :
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike eturn costs are on your responsibility)
– Sarlat train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by train) >> Paris Montparnasse train station (by TGV train).
– Sarlat train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 Station (by TGV train).
Close Airports:
– Toulouse airport: www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/en
– Bordeaux airport: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en