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The Dordogne |
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A Leisurely cycling holiday exploring one of France’s most appealing regions |
Ref: EX-DFD
8 days
from £699 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
Lithuania
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Highlights: Beautiful landscapes - Flexible cycling - Historic Rocamadour - Excellent food - Castles and museums
The Dordogne river heads west to the Atlantic through one of France’s most scenic regions, creating a varied landscape of gentle valleys and uplands.
Historically the river was an important highway for transporting goods and on this trip it is never far away as you cycle through the countryside at your own pace. It is easy to understand the appeal of this region - a combination of beautiful views, sleepy villages, fine French food and delicious wine makes it impossible to resist. The starting point for the circular tour is the mediaeval town of Souillac, and from here the routes head out to explore the two types of landscape that define this region: the upland limestone ‘causse’ dotted with ancient farms and dry-stone walls, and the shadier wooded valleys and lowlands, perfect for the widespread walnut groves - you should try the local walnut oil which has a beautiful flavour. As the road winds through cool oak woodland, the mediaeval castles, walnut-oil mills and Rocamadour cheese farms, and the many welcoming cafes and bistros, provide ample diversions to hinder your leisurely progress. On most days there is a choice of short or longer route - detailed in the trip notes.
Optional activities and excursions:
The cycling routes will take you to the points of interest mentioned, but entry is optional and not included. Cycle routes are described, but you may devise your own diversions from these routes if there is something of particular interest that you wish to visit (please note that we cannot be responsible for the routes you take if making any such diversions, or for anything that may arise during them). There is an optional free day in Carennac this is an attractive little mediaeval village on the banks of the Dordogne, ideal to explore on foot. The hotel has a pool (open air, seasonal), and there is a museum in the town.
This trip departs on any day from 01 April to 30 September using Eurostar via Paris to Souillac. Please call or email us for availability and bookings.
Trip Profile:
Is this trip for you? The vast majority of the riding is on easy tarmac roads. Routes switch from the river valley to the plateau, so you should expect some uphill sections, with a few sizable hills. Routes are devised to use quiet roads as far as possible, but there are some busier stretches - however, French drivers are used to cyclists. Most days have a choice of a long or a short route, and there is one possible rest day. Cycling distances range from approximately 27km to 65km.
Group & Staff:
min. 1, self-guided; luggage transferred and emergency telephone assistance provided.
Accommodation
7 nights are spent at 2- and 3-star hotels in twin or single rooms. Except for Souillac, the hotels are situated in small villages; in Souillac the hotel is in the centre of the town. Precise details of hotel reservations can not be confirmed prior to booking, however where possible we use hotels of charm and local character.
Food: All dinners are included except for the second evening in Carennac. The hotel restaurants provide very good meals with a local flavour and should satisfy your gastronomic needs. Foie gras with walnut salad, mounds of goat’s cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, rich truffles and fine desserts are the sorts of things to look forward to, and for lunch you are free to make your own picnics from the local markets and shops, or relax in a restaurant - it’s up to you. |
Day 1 | Travel from London Waterloo on Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, cross Paris on the Metro to Gare d’Austerlitz (ticket not included) and take the local railway to Souillac. Taxi to hotel. Those booking land-only arrangements start the trip at the hotel in Souillac. | Day 2 | Collect your bike from the shop near to the hotel and set off on the first ride, through Martel, the town of the seven towers, to Gluges at the base of a 120m cliff. 28kms short route, 43km long option.
| Day 3 | The long route (68kms) can include a detour to visit a walnut mill, and continues through Collonges la Rouge, once an important point on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. The overnight stop is in the old village of Carennac. Shorter option is 27 kms.
| Day 4 | The day is free for your own exploration on foot or by bike. The hotel has a pool (seasonal). In Carennac Chateau a museum houses a permanent exhibition about the Dordogne River and the region.
| Day 5 | The castle of Castelnau Bretenoux is today's highlight - one of France's most remarkable feudal castles, built in the 11th century from red stone and containing a beautiful collection of old furniture and artefacts. The smaller Chateau de Montal can also be visited on the way to Loubressac. Short option 32 kms, longer alternative 56kms.
| Day 6 | Riding over the causse takes you first to Autoire, set in a beautiful valley, and on to the Gouffre de Padirac, a cave over 100m deep. Both short and long routes (33kms or 48kms) lead to Rocamadour, dramatically located on the side of a high cliff, and another important pilgrimage site.
| Day 7 | One route only today, 35kms. A working watermill in the Ouysse valley makes an interesting diversion before crossing the Dordogne and returning to Souillac. Bikes are returned to the cycle shop, and a final French dinner is enjoyed.
| Day 8 | Taxi to the railway station, local train to Paris, Metro across Paris (ticket not included), and then Eurostar to London Waterloo. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip at the hotel in Souillac. |
Departures Between | Price from | Departures in April, October | *£699 | Departures in May, June, September | *£699 | Departures in July and August | *£719 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Bike hire €85 (approx. £60), paid locally.
Single room supplement £125 (compulsory if traveling alone)
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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The Dordogne
A Leisurely cycling holiday exploring one of France’s most appealing regions
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