Dordogne & Bordeaux Biking
Through Prehistory to the Great Wine Estates
High rocky outcrops riddled with caves. Dense oak forests. Rivers meandering beneath limestone cliffs. The Dordogne's distinctive beauty has inspired people for 20,000 years. The Cro-Magnons painted in caves. Their descendants erected splendid fortresses and hilltop bastides. It's yours to discover on two wheels. In neighboring Bordeaux, find the down-to-earth appeal of medieval villages and fertile vineyards ideally juxtaposed with our lavish hotels and tastings of world-famous wines. Spend perfect days riding and drinking in everything that is Dordogne and Bordeaux.
- A perfect duo of the Dordogne's colorful history and Bordeaux's renowned viticulture
- Prehistoric cave paintings at Font-de-Gaume
- Private wine tastings with local experts
- Pedal by world-famous Bordeaux Grand Cru vineyards
- St-Emilion, whose history dates back to the 2nd century
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Cave paintings at Font-de-Gaume 
Bike into the Dordogne past timeless villages and peaceful forests Pedal along the valley floor before tackling hills en route to Les Eyzies, the "Capital of Prehistory" 
A private tour of the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume reveals vividly colored bison and mammoth polychromatic paintings adorning the cave walls.
Day 3 A perfect duo: Dordogne's colorful history and Bordeaux's renowned viticulture Spin from the wooded Dordogne River Valley to the vineyard-laced landscape near Bergerac Our friend Monique treats us to a delicious Périgordian lunch in her hilltop garden.
Day 4 Pedal by world-famous Bordeaux vineyards Sample Monbazillac's distinctive white wine during a tour and tasting at the 16th-century château Bike undulating terrain past centuries-old churches and inviting hamlets Pedal into the heart of the Bordeaux wine region to medieval St-Emilion, where Romans first planted vineyards in the second century.
Day 5 Exclusive wine tastings with local experts Admire stunning mosaic tiled floors at the Gallo-Roman ruins in Montcaret Join an oenologist at the Vignobles & Châteaux wine school for an initiation into wine tasting - you'll learn how to recognize Bordeaux's different wines by color, smell and taste.
Day 6 The World Heritage site of St-Emilion Discover St-Emilion's underground treasures on a walking tour Visit a premier Grand Cru château for a tour and formal dégustation.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Alsace/Black Forest Biking Slovenia Biking Dalmatian Coast BikingOther France Trips
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Dordogne & Bordeaux Biking
Premiere Inns
Clos la Boetie
Sarlat (2 nights) Set in the heart of town, a sophisticated 19th-century residence.
Château des Vigiers
Monestier (1 night) Known locally as "little Versailles," this spectacular hotel dates back to 1597 and is surrounded by vineyards and a golf course. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa, golf)
Hostellerie de Plaisance
St-Emilion (2 nights) In the heart of a medieval village, an elegant hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. A Relais & Châteaux member.
Dordogne & Bordeaux Biking
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 | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 24 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 22, 43, 52 miles
- 800 - 2460 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 23, 40, 51 miles
- 1240 - 1680 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 31, 45 miles
- 560 - 1440 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 33, 44 miles
- 800 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 25 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain