Toulouse To Bordeaux Luxury Bike (Dordogne, Rocamadour & Medieval Châteaux) 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 24 km (15 miles), Elevation gain: 335 m (1,100 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 35 km (22 miles), Elevation gain: 488 m (1,600 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 9 a.m. at Toulouse Matabiau Train Station, located at Bd Pierre Semard 31500 Toulouse, France. Please ensure you arrive dressed in your biking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for today's ride (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

Welcome to France! We'll travel from Toulouse through the verdant Lot and Dordogne valleys to artistic Bordeaux for our trip.

Following our meeting downtown, a shuttle takes us through winding slopes to the scenic village of Albas. Constituting picturesque stone cottages nestled along the banks of the Lot River, it's the perfect place for a delightful lunch. Take a moment to enjoy the easy flow of the river as you dine at the local guinguette. This regionally typical riverside bar is named after a type of table wine originally served there in the 17th century.

After lunch, your tour leaders fit your bike and enlighten you briefly on biking techniques and safety. Then, we set off on our first ride of the trip! Pedal along the Lot River through ethereal scenery—wooded glades, meandering streams, and bright green hills—before we reach our first hotel, Château de Mercuès. This historic castle-turned-hotel sits majestically, offering breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding countryside and vineyards of Cahors.

You're welcomed with a wine tasting from the Cahor AOC. This region is famed for a single red wine, which must be at least 70% Malbec. It's different from the Argentinian varieties, darker in colour with a fruity body and a good amount of earthiness.

Afterward, tour the hotel's grounds, which open you to a world of refined elegance and historical magnificence. Visit the hotel's underground cellar and wine storehouse, take a stroll through its manicured gardens, or sunbathe by the outdoor pool.

Tonight, we convene for a welcome reception on the terrace, with remarkable views of the Lot River, before savouring dinner featuring tasty cuisine and local specialties at the hotel's excellent restaurant. Bon appétit!

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 34 km (21 miles), Elevation gain: 640 m (2,100 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 45 km (28 miles), Elevation gain: 762 m (2,500 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 68 km (42 miles), Elevation gain: 945 m (3,100 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 80 km (50 miles), Elevation gain: 1,311 m (4,300 ft)

We start the day by heading out into the countryside around Cahor. We cycle through neatly arranged vineyards before our route reveals quiet farmland and tranquil hamlets. Relish the route's rustic, level terrain, distinct from the green river valleys we'll see on the other days of our trip.

We pause for a quick croissant and cappuccino in the well-preserved mediaeval centre of Labastide, with its stunning church and a few cafes and shops.

After the refuel, get on your bike and pedal to our lunch spot at a beautiful, family-run bed & breakfast before shuttling back to the hotel. If you decide to keep cycling this afternoon, choose a gentle, scenic route from lunch straight to the hotel, or tackle the daunting Rocamadour option to see your first view of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our destination is the luxurious Château de la Treyne. Nestled along the scenic Dordogne River, this medieval château offers a serene escape with forested grounds, manicured gardens, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. As a Relais & Châteaux gem, it invites relaxation by a stunning pool amid timeless elegance. Discover breathtaking views from every corner of the property before we gather on a terrace overlooking the Dordogne River for a candlelit Michelin-starred dinner.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 32 km (20 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1,300 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 43 km (27 miles), Elevation gain: 701 m (2,300 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 68 km (42 miles), Elevation gain: 914 m (3,000 ft)

Eat breakfast before touring the Dordogne Valley, cycling from one charming village to the next beneath river-carved peaks shaped over the millennium.

Our morning ride takes us through Carennac, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France." Stroll through its cobblestone streets to discover hidden courtyards, gorgeous squares, and artisanal boutiques offering local crafts and delicacies. A shuttle takes us to the awe-inspiring caves of Gouffre de Padirac. Those interested in covering more miles can bike directly from Crennac to Gouffre de Padirac.

The striking limestone cave system of Gouffre de Padirac extends 100 metres underground. It comprises subterranean rivers and caverns, intricate stalactites and stalagmites, and a cathedral-like dome opening up to a small piece of the distant sky. Take time to soak in the geological wonder before heading to lunch at a nearby bistro.

A shuttle arrives in the afternoon to take you back to the hotel for some downtime. Consider strolling through the hotel's formal gardens, taking in unparalleled views from your perch overlooking the Dordogne, or reading a good book by the pool. Interested in more kilometres? Cycle back to Château de la Treyne through stunning Causses du Quercy National Park, full of limestone plateaus and dense woods. This evening, we come together for a delightful gourmet dinner crafted from the freshest local ingredients, all set against an enchanting backdrop.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 23 km (14 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 55 km (34 miles), Elevation gain: 640 m (2,100 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 68 km (42 miles), Elevation gain: 792 m (2,600 ft)

Today's exciting outing revolves around France's most iconic site: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rocamadour.

If you biked Day 2's long option, you got a glimpse of "the vertical village" from afar. Today, we have all the time to traverse this enchanting pilgrimage site and medieval wonder up close and in person. What sets Rocamadour apart is its magnificent construction, a tiered village built into the cliffside and leading up to the breathtaking Basilica of St. Sauveur. In the Middle Ages, humiliated pilgrims would walk its grand stairs, a stone ascent of 216 steps, on their knees. Gradually conquer the three levels of medieval structures—houses, churches, and majestic towers—up to picturesque views overlooking the patchwork valleys of Aizou Canyon.

Following our guided tour of Rocamadour, we set out on two wheels through the dramatic landscape of rolling rivers and plunging cliffs. Our route takes us through a rail-to-trail bike path along the Dordogne. We take a break about 14 miles in for lunch and a shuttle back to the hotel if you're done biking for the day and prefer to wind down this afternoon.

Once you've retired your bike, settle in and explore our new home, Domaine de Rochebois. It is an elegant, family-run property with a pool, golf course, and the luxurious spa NUXE. A heated sensory pool, massage rooms, and various healing treatments provide the perfect opportunity for relaxation. (Spa treatments are at own expense).

For dinner, we take a quick shuttle into the food-centric town of Sariat, France's capital of walnuts, truffles, and foie gras. As you traverse the cobblestone streets of downtown, watch for a restaurant where you can enjoy your own dinner.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 37 km (23 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 610 m (2,000 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 45 km (28 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 701 m (2,300 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 69 km (43 miles), 4-6 hours biking, Elevation gain: 1,097 m (3,600 ft)

Discover enchanting villages as we bike through four of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France" in one ride. This designation, awarded by an independent association, aims to promote small and picturesque French Villages of quality heritage.

Warm up your legs and keep your camera handy as we trace the bends of the Dordogne River past cliffside hamlets and striking hillside fortresses. Each town we pass through—Laroque-Gageac, Beynac-et-Cazenac, and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle—is prettier than the last. You can stop for a self-guided tour at the impressive Château de Beynac, one of the region's best-preserved and most popular castles.

In our fourth village, Domme, we pause for lunch. Gain entrance through two fortified stone arches and ride along flower-filled lanes past honey-coloured houses with brown thatched roofs and heartstopping river views. Lunch is on your own, giving you more than enough time to eat at a local bistro and explore when you're done. Once a key strategic defence in the Hundred Years War between England and France, Domme has some fascinating historic sites, including graffiti in the prison of the Knights Templar and the Grotte de Domme, a striking cave up the centre of town.

Following our visit, take a shuttle back to our hotel. If you feel up to conquering more miles, head out of Domme onto tranquil country roads that showcase the serene terrains south of the Dordogne. Back at the hotel, there's time to relax and enjoy the amenities before we celebrate our week together with a festive farewell dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

Level 1, Approx. 24 km (15 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 366 m (1,200 ft)

This morning, we set off on a final spin to traverse the scenery between our hotel and Sarlat. Soak it all in, perhaps taking some photos of châteaux ruins, old mills, and vineyards. If you'd prefer a leisurely morning, stay back at the hotel and savour a nice breakfast and a refreshing dip at the pool.

After freshening up at the hotel, we convene for a farewell lunch before shuttling to the Bordeaux train station, where our trip ends.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.