Quiet lanes, big views
Routes chosen for quiet roads, steady distances and long downhills.
Hotels we know personally
Characterful, often family-run, with dinner on most evenings.
Ride light
Your luggage is moved on each day, and you can choose a hybrid, road/gravel bike or e-bike.
Our self-guided cycling holidays in the Dordogne take you from one village inn to the next: bike tours, as many of our North American guests call them. A family business, owned and run by Cassie. Cycling in the Dordogne rides 23–47 km (14–29 miles) a day, with up to 510 m (about 1,650 ft) of climbing on its biggest day. The routes follow quiet country lanes and riverside cycle paths through the Dordogne and the Lot, past clifftop châteaux and walnut groves, freewheeling down into villages of golden stone. Self-guided means you ride on your own, at your own pace, with no group and no guide: we plan the route, book the hotels and look after the details, and you simply enjoy the ride.
We choose our routes for quiet roads, steady distances and long downhills, and bike hire is included (a hybrid or a road/gravel bike), with an e-bike upgrade for an extra £140 per person. You’ll have our detailed route notes and GPX files, and we’re only a call or message away. Cycling in the Dordogne goes inn to inn: you ride from one hotel to the next and your luggage is moved on for you each day, so it’s waiting when you arrive. You stay in characterful, often family-run hotels we know personally, with dinner on most evenings.
Cycling in the Dordogne is seven nights and moderate, often with a shorter or longer option. Expect some hills, and the long views and even longer downhills that come with them. You can start on any day you like between April and October.
New to self-guided holidays in France? Our guide for first-timers explains how it all works.
The bikes
Travelling with friends
Our holidays work well for two or three couples or a small group of friends, up to 12 people in one booking. You all follow the same route and stay in the same hotels, and you can ride together or each at your own pace. Our hotels are small, so groups have more choice when they book early. Tell us how many of you there are and the rooms you need, and we’ll send you a price.
How it works
- Choose and enquirePick a holiday and the dates you’d like, then send us an enquiry, or call or WhatsApp Cassie.
- We book the hotelsWe check availability and book every hotel on your route, then send you a confirmation.
- We move your luggageYou ride inn to inn, and your bags are moved on for you, so they’re waiting at your next hotel.
- Ride with our notes and supportYou’ll have our detailed route notes and GPX files, and we’re on hand from 9am to 7pm, UK or French time.
What our guests say
“We had the greatest trip! We loved your bike routes and all the hotels. Such a beautiful area with so many picturesque villages and so much to do. Thank you for an amazing Dordogne Experience!”
Questions about our cycling holidays
Is a self-guided holiday right for me?
If you like going at your own pace, it probably is. There’s no group to keep up with and no guide to follow: just you, the route, and a good dinner waiting at the end of the day. Read the full answer →
What’s included?
Seven nights (five on Premium Périgord) in comfortable hotels, breakfast every day, and dinner on most evenings (each holiday page shows which nights). Read the full answer →
What is an inn-to-inn holiday?
One where you walk or cycle from one hotel to the next while your luggage is moved on for you, so you only carry a daypack and your bags are waiting when you arrive. Read the full answer →
When can I start?
On most days during the season, which runs from April to October. A few holidays have days to avoid, because restaurants on the route close: Read the full answer →
How fit do I need to be?
If you enjoy a good day’s walking or cycling, you’ll be fine. Each holiday page shows the distance for every day. Read the full answer →
Can I travel on my own?
Yes, solo walkers and cyclists are very welcome on Dordogne Experience holidays. Because the costs aren’t shared, there’s a solo traveller supplement on top of the per-person price. Read the full answer →
Do you offer e-bikes?
Yes, Dordogne Experience offers e-bikes on its cycling holidays. Bike hire is included, and an e-bike is an upgrade for an extra £140 per person. Read the full answer →
What bikes do you use?
Dordogne Experience offers three bikes: the Focus Crater Lake Lite or similar, a hybrid included in the price; the Megamo Jakar 30 or similar, a road/gravel bike also included at no extra cost; and the Kalkhoff Endeavour 1.B Move or similar, an e-bike upgrade for an extra £140 per person. Read the full answer →
How far does the e-bike battery go?
Up to 100 km (62 miles) on a charge, depending on hills and how much assist you use, which is more than our longest day. You can charge it at your hotel each evening. Read the full answer →
Can I have a road or gravel bike?
Yes, Dordogne Experience offers a road/gravel bike, a Megamo Jakar 30 or similar, instead of the hybrid at no extra cost. Read the full answer →
Do I need to bring a helmet?
Dordogne Experience doesn’t include helmets: bring your own, or hire one for €2 a day from the bike company when they deliver your bikes on your arrival day. Read the full answer →
Behind the scenes
Getting here: fly to Paris, Bordeaux or Toulouse, then take the train to the start of your holiday. How to get here →
If you’re unsure which ride is right for you, we’re happy to help.
Prefer to talk it through? Ask for a 15-minute call with Cassie.
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