![]() ![]() La Roque Gageac, embedded into the cliffs on the edge of the Dordogne River. An extra memory card or roll of film is recommended just for this! It’s also the perfect stop-over point, and at sunrise, early risers who make it across the valley in time are rewarded with amazing photo opportunities when the light hits the top of the cliff and gradually illuminates the whole face. Built into a cliff, with a castle perched precariously on top, it is one of the most visited attractions in France. It is always advisable to pack a good sunscreen – and to remember to use it! Key places to visitĪ particularly fascinating village is the ancient pilgrim town of Rocamadour, which sits over the Dordogne border in the Lot. The beginning and end of the season has temperate weather, while things can get a little warm in high summer as the sunlight gets particularly strong. For this reason ( and because we have this article dedicated to cycling in the north of the Dordogne), we'll concentrate here on the Sarlat Triangle, the valley out towards Eymet and Duras, and how the Dordogne links with the Lot.Ĭycling in the Dordogne is pleasant from April to October. The area known as ‘le Périgord noir’, in the south east of the department of Dordogne and around the town of Sarlat, is considered by most as ‘classic’ Dordogne. The southern part of the region is more frequented than the comparatively quieter north. Another popular option is to follow the river routes from the Vézère to the Dordogne – lined with fairytale châteaux – to where the Dordogne River passes through the northern area of the Lot.įor cyclists arriving for a shorter spell in France, there are good airport and train connections too. The Dordogne is also extremely accessible, especially for touring cyclists pedalling the 1,400 km Vélodyssée bike route as it lies just east of the Bordeaux and the Atlantic Coast. And it's cycle-friendly – even given its massive tourist appeal, you'll still find quiet country lanes and forest tracks with very little traffic. Likened to the Cotswolds, the Dordogne is largely rural with beautiful stone buildings, reminiscent of bygone years, and a slower pace of life. Blessed with miles of scenic rolling countryside, fascinating ancient bastide towns, and delicious gourmet delights, it's easy to see why it's such a popular region for cyclists. The Dordogne, which lies in the department of Aquitaine just north of the Pyrénées, takes its name from the 300 mile river that runs through it. Photo: Bas van Gaalen Follow us on Twitter and Facebook The Dordogne River Valley photographed from Domme. (We also have a separate article on cycling in the northern half of the Dordogne and another dedicated to th e Vézère Valley. Mike Hams has this guide to cycling in the Dordogne. Read some of Martin Walker's mysteries set in the area to set the mood for your trip.For chateaux, vines and historic towns, a Dordogne cycling holiday ticks all the boxes. ![]() The dining is delicious and reasonably priced, as are the wines. We have connections in the area and intend to get to Rocamadour, Saint-Cirq-Lapopoe, and Belves in the future. Castlenaud has the medieval war demonstrations with catapults if you have a taste for that. Chateau Milande, home to Josephine Baker is another half day with great gardens and architecture. It is easy to spend a half day, it is far more than the sculpted boxwood on most photos. The Jardins Marqueyssac are exquisite with a fine view of the river. It was worth pulling off the road and taking a ridiculous number of photos. We also encountered a veritable army of ducks marching back to their evening quarters near Tursac. There is a minor charge and it is on an insanely narrow road but is fascinating. Either to or from Lascaux, stop at the Bories du Breuil to see old circular houses entirely made of stone including the roof. You can also do the National Museum at Les Eyzies de Tayac devoted to the era if you have interest. Lascaux for the reproduction of the prehistoric paintings is outstanding. We finished in Beynac and were inspired to return to the Chateau later for a tour. Pulling out in La Roque-Gageac for a village stroll and lunch is a great stop. He recommends the kayak trip down the Dordogne River which is a wonderful adventure. Hi Carol, the RS guidebook is no slouch for the Dordogne area. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |