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 e-bikes are available.
Our Dordogne cycling holidays are self-guided cycling tours (or bike tours, as many of our North American guests call them), from one village inn to the next. Owned and run by Cassie, with Keith and Val on hand with advice. Cycling in the Dordogne rides 29.2–46.9 km (18–29 miles) a day, with up to 530 m (about 1,750 ft) of climbing on its biggest day. Our self-guided cycling holidays 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, with an e-bike upgrade for an extra £140 per person. You’ll have our detailed route notes, maps 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.
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, maps 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. Standard bike hire is included, and an e-bike is an upgrade for an extra £140 per person. Read the full answer →
Behind the scenes
If you’re unsure which ride is right for you, we’re happy to help.
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