Published by Lyn on 5 May 2020
Everything you need to know about cycling in France your independent guide
Cycling tours in the Dordogne, Bordeaux and Aquitaine
A cycling holiday from Bordeaux vineyards to Dordogne castles
A beautiful ride through some of the finest landscapes in SW France
Offered by:
Le Velo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
8 days
Price:
From €899
Your bike tour starts in Bordeaux and its charming historic center. You leave the city along the Garonne river to reach the classified vineyards of Saint-Emilion. You will be charmed by the medieval village and its exceptional monuments. You now reach the Dordogne river and discover charming towns such as the bastide of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. The vineyards of Bergerac are gradually appearing and then, the medieval town warmly welcomes you to its heart. You follow the banks of the Dordogne until you reach the Vézère valley and its many prehistoric sites. Here you arrive in the heart of the Black Périgord and its treasures. Cycle to Montignac and do not miss a visit to the famous Lascaux cave. You will come across the sumptuous gardens of Erygnac and then arrive in Sarlat, a sublime city-museum. For your last day, get on your bike or canoe to discover the most beautiful castles in the valley: Beynac, Castelnaud or La Roque-Gageac. A rich and complete trip for unforgettable cycling holidays!
A ladies' road cycling and yoga holiday in the Lot-et-Garonne
Guided cycling with luxury accommodation, pool and nutritious food
Offered by:
Lamamotte Gite Cycling Holidays – Promoting Women’s Cycling
Tour length:
4 to 7 nights with guided rides
Price:
From €300 per person
This is a ladies-only, guided road cycling holiday with stunning scenery, nutritious food, luxury accommodation and yoga. Sisters Jess and Penny will lead you on quiet country roads, visiting beautiful river valleys, chateaux, medieval hilltop Bastide towns – including two of the prettiest villages in France (Pujols and Monflanquin). You can take in French culture with a visit the Water Lily Gardens, local markets and a wine tour. Typical rides (tailored on request) range from 50km to 80km per day. This holiday is for groups of 4-8 staying in a beautiful, converted farmhouse. The price includes luxury accommodation. Yoga sessions, breakfast, delicious meals prepared with local ingredients, wine, guided rides, bike maintenance course, transfers and bike hire can all be arranged. Self catering option is available. You can find more on Facebook here.
A tour around the Lot Valley
A lovely ride through the gorgeous and varied landscapes of the Lot Valley
Offered by:
Cycle the Dordogne
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 53 30 23 20 or +33 (0)6 48 20 36 85
Tour length:
9 days, 8 nights
Price:
From €1850
Start your adventure in Gourdon before heading into La France Profonde towards the bastide town of Monpazier. Cycle down into the glorious Lot valley to explore Château-de-Bonaguil or one of the many vineyards along the route to Cahors. Ride along the edge of the River Lot beneath overhanging cliffs. Wander around St-Cirq-Lapopie and visit the Grotte du Pech-Merle with its ancient cave drawings. Return to Gourdon having ridden through landscapes that appear not to have changed for centuries. Cycle the Dordogne’s self-guided cycling tours are a voyage of discovery. You are in control. You travel at your own pace. Cliff will meet you upon arrival and explain everything thoroughly – how the bicycles function, which routes are recommended and places of interest to visit along the way. Tours are self-guided, but support is always on hand. Tour includes full route notes, accommodation and bike hire.
Agen to Sarlat – best of the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne
Ride through stunning ancient landscapes following the Dordogne River
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
6 or 7 day options, 45 to 50km per day
Price:
From €835
Ride on this self-guided discovery tour of the area of south-west France that showcases the Lot-et-Garonne and Dordogne. This is a diverse region steeped in ancient history and stunning river valleys. Take your bike and start your cycling holidays from Agen, a friendly and lively town renowned for its canal bridge – the second longest in France – and its famous prunes. Cycle through medieval bastide towns and near fortified castles. Visit pretty villages such as Monpazier, La Roque Gageac and Sarlat, all classified as among the most beautiful villages of France. Ride on gentle rolling hills and through fertile valleys, wild woods and pine forests. Authentic and convivial, these areas are ideal for green and slow tourist lovers. The gastronomy and local food are part of their identity – don’t miss typical dishes of the region featuring black truffles, mushrooms, foie gras and duck confit. Starting price includes 5-6 nights' hotel or guesthouse stays, three dinners, all route notes and maps, including a GPS smartphone app with voice guiding, daily luggage transfers, and emergency phone support 24/7. Bike hire also available (including electrics).
Atlantic Coast - La Rochelle to Bordeaux via Velodyssee and the Gironde estuary
Combine the coastal terrain awaits on this coastal tour
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
7 or 8 days, 35 to 60km per day
Price:
From €900
From La Rochelle your cycling tour takes you along the Atlantic coast to discover the Charente Maritime area. You will cycle along the Velodyssey to discover the island of Ile de Ré, wide sandy beaches, marshes, oyster farms and the towns Rochefort and Royan. Continue along small backroads through the Haute-Saintonge and Haute Gironde, and meet Cognac and Pineau wine-makers of the Charentes. Discover superb Roman churches, caves, and some unique Gallo-Roman sites. At the coast, discover small ports along the estuary like Meschers-sur-Gironde, and charming villages like Talmont-sur-Gironde. This is a self-guided journey on bicycle paths and flat backroads – from streams of vineyards to cliffs, from the Citadel of Blaye to the famous Margaux vineyard down and majestic Bordeaux itself. Starting price includes 6 or 7 nights' B&B in charming hotels and guest houses, one evening meal, full route notes and maps, GPS app for smartphone with vocal guiding, luggage transfers, estuary ferry crossing, and 24/7 emergency phone call support. Touring bikes (including electrics) can be also provided. This self-guided holiday is offered by Evazio, an English-speaking French company based in Bordeaux.
Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea - Bordeaux-Sete
Ride Bordeaux-Sete via the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi
Offered by:
Le Velo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
14 days
Price:
From €1499
Ride the famous and popular two canals route in one go from Bordeaux to Sète. This is a well-planned itinerary that combines both the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi into a single self-guided tour. The route is flat along greenways and canal towpaths, making it ideal for riders of all abilities. Ride the Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse, alongside the river and the canal, passing vineyards as you go. Begin in wonderful Bordeaux before following the Roger Lapebie bike path to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne and then backroads to La Réole. Follow the canal to towns and villages like Mas d’Agenais, Damazan and Agen, with its beautiful canal bridge, and to Moissac to see its beautiful abbey and cloister. From the Pink City of Toulouse, it's on to the Canal du Midi, which takes you through Castelnaudary to Carcassonne and its outstanding medieval fortress. Continue cycling along the canal to Béziers then Agde and the pond Thau. Then look ahead to a swim in the Mediterranean Sea before arriving in the vibrant city of Sète. The price includes baggage transfers, accommodation, full route notes and maps, as well as bike hire.
Basque Country by bike - Between land and sea
A treat awaits you on this roundtrip starting in Biarritz
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
6 or 7 days, 30 to 45km per day
Price:
From €815
This self-guided cycling tour around the Basque Country starts and ends in Biarritz, taking in the seaside culture, fishing villages and Franco-Spanish influences of the far south-west of France. It features towering cliffs and rugged rocks to sandy bays and an ocean as far as the eye can see. From Biarritz ride to the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz before crossing the Bidassoa river for the Spanish influences on the other side. There is a little climbing here (400-1200m a day) as you head inland to see unforgettable landscapes dotted with white timber frame houses built centuries ago. Discover typical Basque villages and towns like Sare, Ainhoa and Saint Jean Pied de Port, a famous stop on the pilgrims' route to Compostela. At the end of each day, indulge in the flavours of the local cuisine – beware the Espelette pepper, the emblematic local spice. Starting price includes 5-6 nights in 3-star hotels and guesthouses, two evening meals, a boat crossing from France into Spain, all route notes and maps, including a GPS app with voice guiding, daily luggage transfers, and emergency phone support 24/7. Bike hire (including electrics) included on request.
Best of Bordeaux Wines Bike Tour
All the big chateaux are here – a real treat for cycling wine lovers
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
6 or 7 day options, 35 to 50km per day
Price:
From €860
This self-guided cycling tour across the prestigious Bordeaux vineyards is offered by an English-speaking French cycling company based in Bordeaux. Evazio have created this route to take in the best of their backyard. Cycle through France's most famous wine area, following the great wine road. The names here will impress any wine-lover: Pauillac, Margaux, Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. Cross the Gironde estuary by ferry to Blaye and cycle along the Corniche Fleurie. Biking alongside the river between Bourg and Blaye, this little road, once known as “route des Capitaines” is a real delight with its palm trees, pink laurels and oaks. Don’t miss the Citadel of Blaye, built by Vauban, and discover the sunny slopes of the Entre-Deux-Mers, a succession of vineyards and monuments. Stay in the heart of World Heritage Sites, including Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion. The starting price includes 5-6 nights' B&B in charming 3* hotels and guesthouses, 3 dinners, full route notes, maps and a GPS app for smartphones, daily luggage transfers, and emergency phone call support 24/7. Bike hire (including electrics) available on request.
Best of the Dordogne by bike
Discover bastides, medieval towns, castles and prehistoric caves
Offered by:
Le Velo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
8 days
Price:
From €985
This self-guided cycling holiday in the Dordogne will totally immerse you in the heart of a region marked by history. Discover the exceptional prehistoric sites of the Vézère Valley – or 'Man’s Valley' – such as the Cro-Magnon shelter, La Roque Saint-Christophe and the famous Lascaux cave. Wander the streets of medieval Sarlat, with its renowned market, and try delicious regional products (truffles, foie gras, nuts, mushrooms...). Enjoy a second day in Sarlat to cycle to the valley of castles where you can exchange your bike for a canoe to explore the Dordogne River. You will be charmed by La Roque-Gageac, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, and the majestic Beynac and Castelnaud chateaux – both strategic places during the Hundred Years War. You then change banks and cross to the charming bastides of Belves and Beaumont-du-Périgord, plus visit Bannes and Lanquais chateaux and the Cadouin abbey – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Finally, cycle back to Bergerac and its historic centre for a relaxing last night. The price includes bike hire, accommodation, luggage transfers and all the maps and information you'll need to make the most of your trip.
Black Perigord and Sarlat in the Dordogne
Cycle the the stunning and historic Dordogne and Vezere and valleys
Offered by:
Abicyclette Voyages
Phone number:
+33 (0)2 55 99 92 92
Tour length:
6 days / 5 nights
Price:
€595
This self-guided Dordogne cycling holiday takes you through forests, and past historical sites, caves and castles. Discover the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda and taste its local products, including its famous foie gras, duck confit and walnuts. Cycle to the castles of Beynac, Castelnau, Marqueyssac, Fayrac and Les Milandes, and head even further back in time to the UNESCO-listed prehistoric caves of Lascaux, Font de Gaume and Combarelles. Villages that are classified as the most beautiful in France are also here: Belvès, La Roque-Gageac and Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, shadowed by troglodyte architecture. It's not without good reason that this area is often called the “world's capital of prehistory”. The price of this tour includes 5 nights in a double room, 5 breakfasts, luggage transfers, phone assistance, a personalised greeting, a full package of travel documents and maps, GPS, and local recommendations for lunches and dinners.
Bordeaux & St Emilion: Gironde’s Vineyards, Rivers & Valleys
Drink in the scenery around Bordeaux and St Emilion, both UNESCO-listed
Starting in Bordeaux, capital of the French wine trade, this cycling holiday explores the area to the east – including UNESCO-listed St Emilion – before returning to this elegant, cycle-friendly city for a final night. It focuses on the area between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, an area famous for its clarets and rich gastronomy. This is a region steeped in history, with fortified stone villages (bastides) scattered across the gently undulating landscape – a reminder of years gone by when this land was contested by the French and English during the Hundred Years War. This is an idyllic ride through the rich history – and the beautiful wines – of south-west France. All accommodation, baggage transport, route notes and bike hire included.
Bordeaux City & Arcachon Bay
Combine a vibrant city visit with sandy beaches and vineyards
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 3813 9562
Tour length:
5 or 7 nights
Price:
From £1165
The city of Bordeaux is one of France's must-see highlights for history, architecture, gastronomy and, of course, for wines. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander Bordeaux's city centre, admire its architecture and its Roman gates, take in its culture, food and wine at one of hundreds of cafes and restaurants – among them some of France's finest. Venture out onto wine routes of the Medoc and Margaux. The beautiful Arcachon Bay offers a classy, classical seaside feel, making it a popular summer spot for those in the know. Beautiful sandy beaches, delicious fresh seafood and an excellent network of cycle routes combine for the perfect coastal break from the city. Enjoy the sand, sun and seafood of Arcachon Bay and the spectacular views from the top of Dune du Pilat – Europe's largest sand dune. The price of this tour includes fully serviced bikes, water bottle and accessories, hotel B&B accommodation (3 and 4 stars), tour information pack upon arrival, detailed navigational material, often including GPS maps, local support whenever needed. E-bikes available. UK flights and transfers can also be arranged.
Bordeaux City Break
A lovely lively city and stunning vineyards to explore by bike
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 3918 7279
Tour length:
4 nights
Price:
From £975
Explore beautiful Bordeaux and its history, architecture, food and wine. This city bike break allows you to explore the bike-friendly streets of Bordeaux, to take in the best of the wine region and to even spend a day at the Atlantic Coast at Arcachon Bay. Enjoy the grand wine châteaux of the Margaux appellation, the sand, sun and seafood of Arcachon and the sweet and dry white wines of the Entre Deux Mers vineyards. The price of this tour includes fully serviced touring bikes, water bottle and accessories, charming self-catering apartments, tour information pack upon arrival, including information on off-the-bike activities, detailed navigational material, often including GPS maps, local support whenever needed. E-bikes available. Flights and transfers from the UK available on request. The tour is financially protected through ABTA and ATOL.
Bordeaux Culture & Vineyards
Blend of cycling, wine and food in sunny SW of France
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44(0)20 3582 5503
Tour length:
4 or 7 nights
Price:
From £895
Bordeaux is in many ways the perfect city – easy to navigate by bike, and full of culture, great wine and wonderful food. This tour offers the chance to explore this magnificent city and to spend time amongst the vast vineyards of the Entre-Deux-Mers wine appellation. From the city, you’ll ride a loop to the east, taking in famous wine towns like St-Emilion, Sauternes and Cadillac. Other highlights include the world-class red wines of Pomerol and St Emilion and the sweet and dry white wines of Sauternes and Cadillac. The price of this tour includes fully serviced bikes, water bottle and accessories, 3 & 4 star B&B hotel accommodation, tour information pack upon arrival, detailed navigational material, often including GPS maps, local support whenever needed. E-bikes, are available. UK flights and transfers can also be arranged. Full financial protection through ABTA and ATOL.
Bordeaux cycling tour from the vineyards to the ocean and Arcachon
A self-guided ride through fine vineyards and to sandy bays
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+ 33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
6 or 8 day options, 30 to 50km per day
Price:
From €750
This locally run self-guided bike tour takes in Bordeaux area and its treasures: from the prestigious Bordeaux vineyards to the Atlantic coast. Discover the richness of the Gironde region as you cycle from the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux wine-making area to end your holiday with a swim in the ocean. Evazio, an English-speaking Bordeaux-based bike company, can provide everything you need, including a full road book with maps. Start by cycling through the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards and onto the vast forests of the Parc Naturel Régional des Landes before reaching the Arcachon bay and the ocean. The route takes in dedicated cycling paths as well as mostly flat smaller backroads. Starting price is for 5-7 nights' B&B in charming 3-star hotels and guesthouses, 4 dinners with wine, GPS app with vocal guiding, daily luggage transfers, return ferry from Arcachon to Cap Ferret and taxi transfer on your first day or last day. There is also emergency phone call support 24/7. Touring bikes with panniers can be provided on request if you're not bringing your own.
Bordeaux Single Centre City Break
Experience a vibrant city combined with lush vineyards
Offered by:
Cycling for Softies
Phone number:
+44 (0) 20 3918 7866
Tour length:
4 nights
Price:
From £845
The city of Bordeaux offers a heady mix of rich history, world-class architecture, excellent gastronomy and of course, fine wines. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, valued as an inhabited historic city and an icon of the Enlightenment era. This city bike break allows you to explore the bike-friendly streets of Bordeaux, to explore some of the more than 120,000 hectares of vineyards that surround the city and to spend a day at the beach on the beautiful Arcachon Bay. The price of this tour includes all B&B hotel accommodation, bikes, panniers and puncture repair kits, GPS navigation app, route maps and instructions and local support whenever needed. Available with or without flights from the UK.
Bordeaux to Arcachon along the Atlantic Coast
A short break for young and old in south-west France
Offered by:
Le Vélo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
4 days
Price:
From €509
A family cycling holiday on one of the most beautiful and safest bike paths in France. The Bordeaux to Atlantic Coast route takes you through fragrant forests of pine trees to the white beaches and sand dunes of the coast. Start in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bordeaux, enjoying its beautiful architecture and riverfront, before joining the bike path heading west. When you arrive at the coast, ride along the long the peninsula to Cap Ferret, admire Arcachon Basin, indulge in oysters and stroll through the town of Arcachon itself, with its wide pedestrian boulevard and restaurants. Don't forget to take the time to climb the Dune du Pyla – the highest sand dune in Europe – and be amazed by the views from the top. At the end of each day, dip your feet in the warm waters of the sea and enjoy a glass of Bordeaux's finest.
Bordeaux to Cahors by Bike – the Garonne and Lot Valleys
If you love cycling, food and wine, this could be for you
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
7 or 8 day options, 40 to 60km per day
Price:
From €990
This cycling holiday in the Garonne and Lot river valleys is ideal for lovers of nature, gastronomy, wine and culture. It's centred between Bordeaux and Cahors and along the Canal de Garonne and the Lot River. Follow the Canal de Garonne, classified a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, alternating between bike paths and small backroads with flat reliefs. Discover exceptional and diverse landscapes that wind through the Lot Valley's vineyards and orchards. You'll continue into one of south-west France's 'hidden' corners, the beautiful and authentic area around the Quercy. End your ride in Cahors, a medieval town with an old and mysterious town centre. Starting price includes 6-7 nights' B&B accommodation in charming hotels and guesthouses, two dinners, route notes and maps, daily luggage transfers, emergency phone call support 24/7. Hire bikes (including electrics) can also be arranged.
Bordeaux to Sarlat along the Dordogne River
A picturesque riverside ride along the mighty Dordogne
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
6 to 9 day options, 40 to 60km per day
Price:
From €805
This cycling holiday follows the iconic Dordogne as it winds its way through the Gironde and Dordogne departements. En route pass through the famous vineyards of Saint-Emilion, Monbazillac and Bergerac - their tasty gastronomy awaits. After the vineyards, you'll move into the Black Perigord or Perigord Noir – a cradle of prehistory that offers a diversity of landscapes between Dordogne River and the Vézère Valley. You will stay in Les Eyzies and go on to visit the Grotte de Lascaux – highly recommended as it's France's most famous cave system. You will eventually end your tour in Sarlat, jewel of Perigord. The price for this self-guided ride includes 5 to 8 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast, full route notes and maps, luggage transfers and emergency phone call support 24/7. Touring bikes and ebikes available. This self-guided holiday is offered by Evazio, an English-speaking French company specialising in the Bordeaux area.
Bordeaux to Toulouse (or reverse) on the Canal de Garonne
Cycle along the Canals des Deux Mers on this self-guided ride
Offered by:
Evazio
Phone number:
+33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Tour length:
7 days / 6 nights, 40 to 60km per day
Price:
From €825
Ride the increasingly popular Canal de Garonne route between Bordeaux and Toulouse along the Canal des Deux Mers bike route (it eventualy links to the Mediterranean). Cross the diverse Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne and Haute-Garonne areas, exploring vineyards and tranquil landscapes on the Canal de Garonne greenway route. Discover olive groves, hillsides, orchards, villages, art, and historical monuments along the canal. Stop for a spot of canoeing, eat at a waterside restaurant or bar, or share a glass of wine with the locals. This itinerary, put together by Bordeaux-based English-speaking Evazio is a wonderful introduction to south-west France. Starting price includes 6 nights' B&B in charming 3* and 4* hotels andguesthouses, 4 dinners, route notes and maps, including GPS smartphone app with vocal guiding, daily luggage transfers, and emergency phone support 24/7. Bike hire (including electrics) can also be arrange. This self-guided holiday is offered by Evazio, an English-speaking French company based in Bordeaux.
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