Bicycle Touring in France Along the Dordogne

Bicycle touring in France along the Dordogne and Lot Rivers is popular with Europeans bicycle touring on their way to other regions.

For Canadians and Americans the area makes a great two or three week journey. This is a very hilly region and you can expect to use your low gears.

Bicycle Touring in France, Lot River Valley

Start in Toulouse and take the train or an easy one day bicycle tour to Cahors. Pick up lunch and see the ancient Pont Valentre before heading to the quiet and very narrow roads in the hills just south of the town. As you bicycle tour along the River Lot you will past through ancient tunnels and fields of sunflowers. An a night or two in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a village built on the side of a hill with cobblestone streets and stone houses and hotels to match. Rick Steve, the PBS TV host states, “beg, borrow or steal a night in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.

Continue along the Lot River valley passing houses built right into the stone cliffs under reaching Figeac. Your bicycle tour crosses the Gramat Causse to Rocamadour.

Traveling from the Lot to the Dordogne Rivers

Continue bicycle touring in France by cycling to Rockamadour. This is a religious center built into the cliffside of a deep ravine. A great village to base yourself for a few days for some hiking, a visit to Gouffre de Parirac caves or a day bicycle tour to medieval Carennac, considered by many to be the prettiest town in France.

Leaving Rocamadour you cycle through the hilly terrain before reaching the Dordogne River. Continue past walnut plantations under reaching the bicycle path into Sarlat. The Saturday market covering several blocks is well worth a visit, as is the cathedral.

Bicycle Touring in France, Dordogne Region

Your Bicycle touring in France takes you to the Dordogne region where a little to the north is Montignac, home of some prehistoric caves painting, a popular attraction. Loop south and follow the river to La Roque St. Christophe, ancient cliff dwellings, well worth a visit. A great place to stop your bicycle touring for the night is in Les Eyzies.

Your journey then takes you to Cadouin, where there is a bicycle museum including many exhibits from the early days of the Tour de France.
Castles from the 100 Year War.

You are bicycle touring again through stands of walnut trees, some even dropping on the roads as you cycle by on your way to arcaded Monpazier and Belves, built on a hillside. Besides local foie gras and wine, you will find walnuts in salads, desserts and many dishes.

Then its on to Beynac during your bicycle touring in France, where part of the movie Chocolat was filmed. High above the town is a French castle with dungeons. A short cycle down the road and away the river you come to the English Castelnaud with an impressive museum of combat from the middle ages, catapults and great views looking back at the French castle. If you look the other way you see the current vineyards covering the slopes.

Nearby, and up an impressive hill, is the town of Domme where you can either continue to Bordeaux or cycle to the nearby town of Souillac to take the train back to Toulouse.

There are few signed bicycle routes in France so take along a copy of Cycle Touring in France: Eight selected cycle tours which includes the Dordogne area, I am glad I did.

Bicycle touring in France, particularly the Dordogne region with quiet roads stopping to enjoy the wonderful food and wine is a joy!

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