What is the difficulty level?

Moderate to sporty. Daily distances 52–100 km. Hilliest day: 940 m climbing to Saint-Cirq Lapopie.

What accommodation is provided?

Mostly 3-star hotels with some 4-star. All nights include breakfast, one dinner included.

What bikes are available?

Touring bikes, e-bikes, and gravel bikes.

Yes, starts and ends in Bordeaux.

April to October. Higher prices Jun 15–Sep 15.

The Heart of Southwest France by Bike

Southwest France / Bordeaux / Dordogne / Lot

Illustrative image, AI-generated or AI-modified: The Heart of Southwest France by Bike

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Images marked “AI” on this page are AI-generated or AI-modified. We apply the mark to every image, including photographs supplied by tour operators, because the types cannot always be told apart. Images illustrate the area and atmosphere of the tour, not the accommodation or services included.

from€1,808

Trekking bikeE-bikeGravel Bike10 days / 9 nights783 km5/5ChallengingLoop

Self-guided
Solo-friendly

Short Description

Ride through the soul of southwest France on this ambitious 9-night self-guided tour from Bordeaux. You will follow the Roger Lapébie cycle path to the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Saint-Émilion, cross the Périgord Noir to prehistoric Les Eyzies and medieval Sarlat, then reach the sacred cliff-top city of Rocamadour. From there the route traces the Lot valley to Saint-Cirq Lapopie, voted France's favourite village, before winding back through the Graves and Pessac-Léognan appellations to Bordeaux.

Tour Program

Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux
Check in at your hotel in the heart of UNESCO-listed Bordeaux. Receive your bike, documentation, and road book.

Day 2: Bordeaux – Saint-Émilion (52 km; +272 m)
Depart from Place des Quinconces along the Garonne quays. Cross the Pont de Pierre and join the Roger Lapébie cycle path through Entre-Deux-Mers to world-famous Saint-Émilion.

Day 3: Saint-Émilion – Bergerac (72 km; +200 m)
Ride through UNESCO-listed vineyards to Castillon-la-Bataille, through the bastide of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, past Monbazillac château, to Bergerac on the Dordogne.

Day 4: Bergerac – Sarlat (86 km; +711 m)
Follow the Lalinde canal to Limeuil, continue through the Vézère valley to Les Eyzies. Optional extension to Lascaux caves. Finish in Sarlat, the gastronomic capital of Périgord Noir.

Day 5: Sarlat – Rocamadour (53 km; +438 m)
Leave Sarlat on a greenway along the Dordogne. Optional detour to La Roque-Gageac and Domme. Continue through Lacave to the sacred city of Rocamadour.

Day 6: Rocamadour – Saint-Cirq Lapopie (65 km; +940 m)
Follow the Vagabonde cycle route through the UNESCO Geopark des Causses du Quercy. Ride the Ganil towpath carved from the cliff to Saint-Cirq Lapopie, voted France's favourite village.

Day 7: Saint-Cirq Lapopie – Fumel (95 km; +670 m)
Cross the magnificent Pont Valentré in Cahors. Pass Château de Cayx, Puy-l'Évêque, and the fortress of Bonaguil before reaching Fumel.

Day 8: Fumel – Meilhan (100 km; +225 m)
Ride through Le Temple-sur-Lot with the world's oldest water lily nursery. Continue through Clairac and Tonneins to Meilhan, perched high above the river.

Day 9: Meilhan – Bordeaux (90–100 km; +250 m)
Ride through Sauternes and Graves vineyards. Pass La Brède, birthplace of Montesquieu, and Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Return to Bordeaux via the Pont de Pierre.

Day 10: Departure
Departure after breakfast.

Tour details

LoopSelfguidedMinimum 1 personMinimum age 16 years

✅ What is included in the trip?

🏨 Overnight stay and breakfast
🍽️ 1 dinner (drinks excluded)
💼 Luggage transfer
🗺️ Maps
📞 Local telephone assistance 7/7
📲 GPS or navigation APP

❌ What is not included?

🍽️ Meals and drinks not listed as Included
✈️ Journey to/from the starting point
🖼️ Entrance fees and extras not listed
🚎 Transfers not listed as Included
🛡️ Travel insurance
🌎 Tourist taxes

🙋 Common questions

What is the difficulty level?
Moderate to sporty. Daily distances 52–100 km. Hilliest day: 940 m climbing to Saint-Cirq Lapopie.
What accommodation is provided?
Mostly 3-star hotels with some 4-star. All nights include breakfast, one dinner included.
What bikes are available?
Touring bikes, e-bikes, and gravel bikes.
Is this a loop tour?
Yes, starts and ends in Bordeaux.
Best time?
April to October. Higher prices Jun 15–Sep 15.