Whether you arrive in Souillac by train from Paris or Toulouse, our local representative will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel located in the heart of the medieval part of Souillac. You are at the crossroads of Perigord and Quercy, two areas of France we highly recommend to all who are explorers at heart. We’ll provide suggestions as to what to see and do, but by no means do you have any obligations to stop. Your first night’s meal will get you in the mood for the days ahead… rich and hearty gastronomy is a part of this region’s heritage!

Today’s itinerary will take you on quiet roads — away from the touristy crowds — through scenic Perigord farmland. On your way, we recommend that you stop by the magnificently landscaped Jardins d’Eyrignac — an ideal spot if you choose to picnic that day — before proceeding through the quaint villages of Salignac and Saint-Amand-de-Coly. Your final destination is the lovely village of Montignac, which rose to fame in 1940 when four schoolkids stumbled upon the entrance of what became known as the Lascaux cave. It contains some of the oldest and best-known prehistoric cave paintings in the world and earns its official UNESCO World Heritage Site designation tenfold. Although the original cave is restricted to a handful of scientists, we recommend you visit an exact replica on a guided tour. Visit the Tourist Office in downtown Montignac to purchase your tickets to Lascaux II for this afternoon or tomorrow morning!

If you’ve followed our recommendation and visited Lascaux II, the prehistoric sites along today’s route will be more meaningful to you. You will discover another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vezère Valley, known as the ‘cradle of prehistory.’
We highly suggest you take the time to visit the museums and natural attractions here, but if caves and ancient dwellings spook you or you’re just not interested, no worries! As you cycle along, you’ll reach Les Eyzies, home to the Font-de-Gaume cave and the Natural Museum of Prehistory.

On your way, you will pass the unusual cliff-hanging site of La Roque Saint-Christophe, a multi-tiered, natural rock shelter used from prehistory through the Middle Ages.

Afterwards, a ride through picture-perfect duck and geese farms will give you time for contemplation. The afternoon route is no less scenic, and it ends in Sarlat, once the biggest medieval town in Europe and still an extraordinary place.

Remember to charge your camera battery before today’s ride! Although the mileage isn’t too demanding, the route is packed with breathtaking sights. The first one is the mesmerizing village of La Roque Gageac, carved of and nestled into a clay cliff.

Further on, you’ll cycle through Beynac and have the opportunity to visit its medieval castle. Keep in mind the castle is set at the top of the cliff overlooking the town, so you’ll need to be ready for a bit of a climb — it’s completely worth it for the view of the town and Dordogne River. The Beynac castle is one of the most iconic and well preserved in Dordogne. Across the river, we also recommend you visit the medieval fortress of Castelnaud.

You’re not done just yet — the medieval village of Domme awaits you, along with views over the Dordogne tributaries. Domme is known for being one of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France,” or one of the most beautiful villages of France. On the way back, you will ride by the Chateau de Montfort… Quite a day!

Prepare yourself to high mileage, but trust us when we say it’ll be worth it. The first part of today’s ride will be done on a traffic-free bikeway, and the whole ride is done on quiet roads through authentic villages. You’ll pass from the tranquil forested Perigord to the bare limestone “causses,” or plateaus, of Quercy, which offer spectacular perspectives of the region.

Today would be a perfect day for a lunchtime picnic somewhere along your route as you’ll have plenty of ideal locations to choose from. In fact, the entire route can only be described as idyllic, and to top it off, you’ll end up in Rocamadour.

This ride is a personal favorite of Cyclomundo, but don’t tell that to your friends who are going to another destination! Rocamadour gently cradles the side of a cliff overlooking a tributary of the Dordogne River. Your hotel is in the upper part of town, which is linked to the main medieval street via a walking path that will lead you to the town’s historic, holy sanctuaries.

Enjoy the option to take the day off or cycle the loop that we have prepared for you. The town is full of amazing sites, but if you wish to cycle, you’ll visit the 100-meter deep Padirac Chasm, one of this region’s most otherworldly sites.

There aren’t too many places where you can cycle along an underground river! You’ll also ride through the small villages of Carennac and Loubressac, also belonging to the elite group of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”. An early return to Rocamadour will allow you to explore the town or relax by the hotel swimming pool.

Your last day consists of a relaxed bike ride along a scenic route to the Dordogne River and its magnificent viewpoints of the postcard-worthy Chateau de Belcastel. From there, the river will guide you right to Souillac. If you so desire, we can plot out a longer route for you today, but we completely understand if you’re content to finish your cycling tour and explore on foot.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the Souillac train station.