Dordogne River Valley Family Biking
- A mystical landscape with ancient castles and precariously perched villages
- Kids defy gravity at a fun-filled ropes course
- The lazy Dordogne River - explore it in a canoe!
- Cro Magnon cave art at Font-de-Gaume
- Experience the largest, liveliest outdoor market in all of the Dordorgne
Off the Beaten Path & Back in Time
Quick: what’s the capital of prehistory? If you answered "Les Ezyies," give yourself a gold star. This cave-riddled region is where our early ancestors left their most indelible mementos, painted on the walls of limestone grottoes. It’s where you and your gang will create memories as well. Explore ancient castles and fortresses. Visit villages carved out of cliffs. Canoe the Dordogne River and pedal past wheat fields and walnut groves. Spend nights in luxurious hotels, snack on crêpes, and savor gourmet cuisine paired with Bergerac and Bordeaux wines. Make your own family history in the capital of prehistory.
Days 1-2 Cro-Magnon cave art at Font-de-Gaume - a guided tour reveals vividly colored bison and mammoth polychromatic paintings 
Farm country makes way for lush rolling hills on a spin beside the Dordogne River Are your taste buds ready to be dazzled? Michelin-starred cuisine is on the menu Follow the Vézère River to Les Eyzies, the "Capital of Prehistory" 
Kids learn to make bread and get a taste of rural life in 1900 at Le Village Bournat.
Day 3 Discover enchanting Sarlat, with more medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century buildings than any other city in France A leisurely climb leads to the medieval town of Domme, with cobblestone streets and exquisite honey-colored homes Picnic in the shadow of Château de Castelnaud, one of the region's most impressive castles.
Day 4 The largest and liveliest outdoor market in all of the Dordogne tempts grown-ups with a mind-boggling array of fruits, vegetables, truffles, meats and cheeses Kids defy gravity at a fun-filled ropes course Bike along the Dordogne River past orchards, perhaps stopping to lounge in the shade of a walnut tree.
Days 5-6 Trade pedals for paddles and canoe down the Dordogne River Ride to the fortified 13th-century mill of Cougnaguet, nestled in a beautiful limestone canyon and turned by the waters of the Ouysse River Rocamadour, once a pilgrimage destination, beckons you from its perch above the Alzou Canyon Spin to the medieval city of Martel, known as the "City of the Seven Towers" A Michelin-starred meal showcases Périgord specialties.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
I had a terrific time on this trip and would recommend Backroads to friends. I especially enjoyed the canoe trip, the camaraderie of the group and our leaders, and the cultural and historical activities such as the flour mill tour. Our leaders were wonderful - they felt like friends.- Buda, TX
Premiere Inns
Le Vieux Logis
Trémolat (1 night) This enchanting manor house-hotel with idyllic gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant was a priory in the 1500s. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
Clos la Boëtie
Sarlat (2 nights) A sophisticated intimate 19th-century residence set in the heart of charming Sarlat. (pool)
Le Pont de L'Ouysse
Lacave (2 nights) Known for excellent cuisine since 1886, this charming country abode, tucked spectacularly between river and cliff, welcomes you with warm hospitality and Michelin-starred dining. (pool)
Alsace & the Black Forest Biking
France's Wine-Rich Valley & Germany's Fabled Woodland
Family:
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 13, 21 miles
- 320 - 550 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 15, 22, 35, 48 miles
- 700 - 1770 feet elevation gain
- Le Village Bournat Visit (Kids) 2 hours
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 15, 22, 36, 44 miles
- 500 - 1840 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 13, 28, 40, 50 miles
- 500 - 1700 feet elevation gain
- Ropes Course (Kids) 2 hours
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 15, 22, 31, 42 miles
- 1150 - 1700 feet elevation gain
- Optional Canoeing 2 hours
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 15 miles
- 980 feet elevation gain
More Recommended Trips
For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Dordogne tour experts. See our award-winning Europe France biking tours, Europe France walking and hiking tours and Europe France multisport tours.
