The Dordogne and the Pays des Bastides

BERGERAC

If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, a first loop invites you into the vineyards of Pécharmant. Small appellation of red wines. This structured wine has a dark garnet color. It calls for some wine tastings at the vineyards! In the evening, you will enjoy the charming town of Bergerac and its lively narrow streets.

From BERGERAC to ALLEMANS-DU-DROPT 54km 478m

On this first day of cycling, you will set off to discover the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac. After climbing the hills, you arrive at the Château de Monbazillac, a top wine-tasting location for this world-renowned sweet white wine. From this place, you overlook Bergerac and its valley. After a few pedal strokes, you arrive at the Malfourat mill, of which only the Tower remains. You arrive at the medieval castle of Bridoire where you can stop to discover the history of the castle which was plundered many times before being restored. You can also play many games of yesteryear since the castle offers its visitors a hundred ancient games. Finally, through fields and small villages, you reach Allemans-du-Dropt, a charming little village with its mill and its banks.

From ALLEMANS-DU-DROPT to MONFLANQUIN 61km 539m

You quickly reach the Pays du Dropt, named after the river that crosses it and marks the border between Agenais and Périgord. You first cycle to bastide (fortified town) of Miramont sur Guyenne then discover Lauzun, a charming little village whose castle is a listed as a historical monument. A little further east is the bastide of Castillonès, built like many others by Alphonse de Poitiers. Then you reach another remarkable bastide: that of Villeréal, also founded by Alphonse de Poitiers. The wooden hall is perfectly well preserved and the fortified church is imposing. Visit on foot the pretty streets of the bastide as well as the rue Saint Roch. You finally reach the bastide of Monflanquin, listed in “The Most Beautiful Villages of France”.

From MONFLANQUIN to MONPAZIER 33km 362m

From Monflanquin, you cycle through a rural landscape before reaching the Château de Gavaudun. Located above the village on a rocky outcrop, it was first a heretics’ landmark before being one of the last French bastions during the 100 years war. In summer, the life of the castle is enlivened by storytelling matinees, stone-cutting workshops, abseiling from the dungeon … You hop on your bike again and enjoy a few kilometers under the shade of big trees. You will now see the Château de Biron, recognized as a Major Site of Aquitaine and classified as a Historic Monument. A few more kilometers and you reach Monpazier, classified by the Most Beautiful Villages of France, where you spend the night.

• For a few more km 62km 779m

  This itinerary allows you to complete your day with a visit to the medieval castle of Bonaguil. This castle, whose conservation is unique in Europe, dominates the valley and forms an ensemble of gigantic proportions.

From MONPAZIER to DOMME 50km 589m

You leave one of the most beautiful villages in France for another. It is by small roads that you reach Belves. This medieval city also called “the city of 7 bell towers” was not spared by invasions and wars but it has miraculously preserved magnificent traces of its heritage built over the centuries. Belvès means “beautiful view” in Occitan. Indeed, its geographical location offers an exceptional panorama over the horizon of the Périgord noir. After a  last effort, you reach the bastide of Domme, from which you enjoy a breathtaking landscape above the Dordogne. A genuine moment of contemplation is presented to you.

• For a few more km 70km 1018m

  These few additional kilometers allow you to discover the Montfort cingle as well as the Montfort castle. This castle is visited from the outside. It combines elements of medieval and renaissance architecture.

From DOMME to LE BUISSON-DE-CADOUIN 40km 300m

Today, you cross the Dordogne before reaching the picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac. Located at the foot of a cliff facing south, the golden houses with brown tiled roofs are reflected in the waters of the Dordogne where the gabars (sailing barges) laden with goods crossed in the 19th century. You now climb up to Castelnaud castle, whose dominant position allows visitors to enjoy a unique view of the Dordogne valley. A few pedal strokes and you arrive at the Château des Millandes, home of the famous Josephine Baker. Between the meadows of walnut trees and the old tobacco barns, you follow the Dordogne before arriving in the medieval city of Saint-Cyprien. Stroll through the small streets of the village where the stone dwellings have been preserved and give the village an incredible charm. You then reach the Buisson de Cadouin.

• For a few more km 50km 400m

From LE BUISSON-DE-CADOUIN to BERGERAC 45km 232m

On your bike, from Cadouin to Bergerac, you are going to discover English bastides. At first, you cross Molières. This English bastide was founded in 1284 by Jean De Grailly, seneschal of the King of England. On the banks of the Dordogne, your route takes you to Lalinde, the first English bastide town in Périgord. It has kept its mission as a trading town and a stopover between Bergerac and Sarlat. The road is flat up to the Chateau de Lanquais, a symbol of power and grandeur. This fortified castle, adjoining a prestigious renaissance palace, was built by the builders of the Louvre in Paris. Following the Dordogne, you will find Bergerac.

• For a few more km 65km

  By bike, between the bastides of Molières and Lalinde, you cycle to Trémolat where the church dedicated to Saint-Nicolas is classified as a Historic Monument. The road then rises towards the cingle de Trémolat, a natural belvedere revealing a unique panorama of the region.

BERGERAC

It’s the end of your stay after breakfast. Have a good journey home!