From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the castles of Dordogne

BORDEAUX

From BORDEAUX to SAINT-EMILION 56km 345m

You leave the regional capital on a bicycle lane that takes you into the Bordeaux countryside to the charming little walled city of Creon. Continue your ride by admiring the site and the Romanesque pillars of the La Sauve-Majeure Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a few kilometers, you are in the middle of vineyards, as far as the eye can see, that stay with you all the way to Saint Emilion.

From SAINT-EMILION to SAINTE-RADEGONDE 32km 301m

Departing from Saint-Émilion, the vine-lined roads offer a chance to immerse yourself in the UNESCO-listed vineyards.

In Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, several châteaux offer tastings. As you head towards Saint-Genès-de-Castillon and Belvès-de-Castillon, the relief becomes more marked, offering fine views of the wine-growing hillsides. At Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne, you can visit the château where the philosopher lived. In Montcaret, a Gallo-Roman villa houses remarkably well-preserved mosaics. After Saint-Seurin-de-Prats, the route crosses the Dordogne on a bridge offering panoramic views over the valley. At Pessac-sur-Dordogne, the riverside quays are perfect for a break. The road continues through vineyards and hamlets, skirting the Durèze as far as Sainte-Radegonde.

• For a few more km 66km 508m

  En quittant Saint-Émilion, l’itinéraire traverse Pomerol et Lalande-de-Pomerol, deux appellations réputées pour leurs vins élégants. Les domaines viticoles jalonnent la route, offrant des possibilités de dégustation. Après Les Artigues-de-Lussac et Lussac, le paysage alterne entre vignes et forêts avant d’atteindre Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, puis Puynormand et Minzac, où le vignoble laisse place aux prairies vallonnées. À Villefranche-de-Lonchat, ancienne bastide, la place centrale invite à une pause. Après Montpeyroux, la route descend vers Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne, où se dresse le château du philosophe. À Montcaret, la villa gallo-romaine dévoile ses mosaïques bien conservées. Le parcours rejoint ensuite Saint-Seurin-de-Prats, où un pont offre une vue dégagée sur la Dordogne avant de la traverser. À Pessac-sur-Dordogne, le bord du fleuve est propice à une halte. La route suit enfin la vallée de la Durèze, serpentant entre vignes et hameaux paisibles, jusqu’à Sainte-Radegonde.

From SAINTE-RADEGONDE to BERGERAC 55km 317m

At the bastide (fortified town) of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, you are at the gateway of Périgord. You then leave the terroirs of the appellation Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superiors to join the AOP Monbazillac apellation, the pride of the region! This sweet white wine, rich or mellow, goes perfectly with aperitif, blue cheese and foie gras. No doubt you will find it on your table tonight!

To finish your route you cross the Dordogne to reach Bergerac, the city of Cyrano.

From BERGERAC to LE BUGUE 53km 599m

Day of the rivers. Leave Bergerac in the morning to stroll along small roads lost in the middle of forests and meadows. You undulate in these fresh landscapes, crossing authentic Perigord villages huddled around their often fortified steeples. After a few spins of the wheels, you arrive on the “cingles”, This is the name we give to the meanders of the Dordogne. Your day becomes more sporty but you are rewarded by magnificent views and you can swim at the confluence of Vézère and Dordogne in Limeuil, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

From LE BUGUE to SARLAT LA CANEDA 38km 481m

Leaving Le Bugue, the route follows the greenway along the Vézère to Les Eyzies, where the cliffs are home to some remarkable prehistoric sites. The National Prehistory Museum and the decorated caves bear witness to the history of early man. The road then climbs through forests and valleys towards Marquay, offering uninterrupted views over the Périgord Noir countryside. The villages you pass through reveal their stone houses with lauze roofs, typical of the region. The arrival at Sarlat-la-Canéda marks the entrance to one of the most beautiful medieval towns in France, with its cobbled streets and perfectly preserved Renaissance buildings.

• For a few more km 55km 957m

  The road climbs up to the Château de Commarque, nestling in the heart of the forest and offering a glimpse of medieval history. Continuing on towards Marquay, the countryside alternates between woods and meadows, dotted with hamlets. Tamniès unveils its peaceful lake before reaching Marcillac-Saint-Quentin and Proissans, where the first views of Sarlat appear.

FROM SARLAT LA CANEDA, DOMME LOOP 40km 786m

Leaving Sarlat-la-Canéda, the route descends into the Dordogne valley towards Vitrac, where the river meanders between cliffs and meadows. A climb leads to Domme, a hilltop bastide offering exceptional views over the valley. The descent takes you to La Roque-Gageac, a troglodyte village nestling against the cliffs, where the gabares are a reminder of Périgord’s river history. At Vézac, the gardens of Marqueyssac unfurl their sculpted paths above the Dordogne. Further on, Beynac-et-Cazenac impresses with its medieval castle overlooking the river. After a hilly stretch of road, the Jardins de Haute Terre offer a plant-filled interlude before reaching Saint-André-d’Allas, typical of the Périgord Noir with its stone houses with lauze roofs. The route comes to a gentle end in Sarlat, whose medieval heart, bustling with markets and cobbled streets, invites you to make one last discovery.

SARLAT LA CANEDA

End of the stay after your breakfast. Have a safe trip back !