The Heart of Southwest France by Bike

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 above the Garonne.

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.