Dordogne & Bordeaux Family Biking
Dordogne River Valley & a Taste of Bordeaux
See history come to life on this Backroads family adventure from the mystical Dordogne to the celebrated Bordeaux region. Pedal tranquil lanes of the lush river valley past ancient castles and walnut groves, and through some of France's most beautiful villages. Marvel at 20,000-year-old cave paintings, and get a taste of how rural folk lived a century ago. Then ride into wine country amid verdant vineyards, medieval hamlets and Romanesque churches. Throughout the trip, adults bike longer routes and savor the pleasures of the vine - even attending a private wine school - while kids delight in special regional activities from caving to fencing. Spend nights at the finest hotels and relish in delicacies such as crêpes, foie gras and Bergerac vintages. Join Backroads to experience southwest France with the perfect blend of culture, history and activity for the whole family.
Trip Planning Links
- Spelunk in a prehistoric cavern
- Bike exceptional routes past impressive castles and beautiful villages
- Cool Cro Magnon cave art at Font-de-Gaume
- Private wine class led by an expert oenologist
- Step back in time at the World Heritage site of St-émilion
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Sarlat
Meet in Brive-la-Gaillarde 
Bike into the heart of the Dordogne on picturesque country roads, passing walnut groves, tobacco fields and cozy villages Pedal to the walled hilltop town of Domme, a medieval masterpiece filled with honey-hued cottages and tiny gardens Hop aboard a Middle Ages-style barge for a scenic river cruise Kids don helmets and headlamps for an exhilarating spelunking adventure Amid the atmospheric glow of gas lamps, stroll through Sarlat, containing more medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century buildings than any other town in France.
Days 3-4 Monestier
While the younger set gets a taste of rural life in 1900 and participates in crafts and trades practiced a century ago, grown-ups ride through the scenic pastoral landscape en route to Les Eyzies, the "Capital of Prehistory" Marvel at France's finest collection of original Cro Magnon cave paintings, which date back 20,000 years, during a tour of the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume Spin from the lush forested Dordogne River Valley to the rolling vineyard-dotted landscape around Bergerac Adults indulge in a glass of Monbazillac's distinctive sweet white wine during an exclusive visit to the 16th-century château Kids take a stab at the fine art of fencing.
Days 5-6 Saint-Emilion
Bike past some of the world's best-known vineyards and through seemingly undiscovered hamlets In fortified medieval St-émilion, a World Heritage site, adults join an expert oenologist for a private wine class 
Kids venture to a typical outdoor market to select ingredients for our picnic lunch while adults take a lovely bike ride, then enjoy a walking tour of St-émilion Cap off your trip with a tour and dégustation at a premier Grand Cru château.
- 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.
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Dordogne & Bordeaux Family Biking
COUNTRYSIDE SPLENDOR: Premiere Inns
Clos de Boëtie
Sarlat (2 nights) Set in the heart of Sarlat, this sophisticated 19th-century residence features an inviting outdoor area, and elegant guest rooms outfitted with balneotherapy baths and hydromassage showers.
Château des Vigiers
Monestier (2 nights) Known locally as "little Versailles," this spectacular hotel, built in the 16th century, is beautifully decorated with antiques and even has its own vineyard and 27-hole golf course.
Hôtel Grand Barrail
Saint-Emilion (1 night) Soothe your mind and body at the decadent spa of this magnificent château, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World member.
Dordogne & Bordeaux Family Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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 |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 20 miles
- 450 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 30, 39 miles
- 600 - 1840 feet elevation gain
- Caving (Kids)
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 12, 30, 46 miles
- 600 - 1770 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 15, 31, 45 miles
- 560 - 1440 feet elevation gain
- Fencing Lesson (Kids)
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 (Adults)
- 25 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Market Visit (Kids)