Discover Bordeaux & Cycle Across the Dordogne - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bordeaux, Visit La Cité du Vin, Enjoy a Gourmet Dinner 

Welcome to the city of Bordeaux, known as the "Wine Capital of the World." Meet your private driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. Settle into your room and relax until dinner, or venture out to explore the area on your own. For an immersive journey into the world of wine, head to La Cité du Vin and admire the cultural center's swirling architecture, inspired by the movement of wine in a glass. Then, enter to discover interactive exhibits that guide you through the winemaking process, the art of wine tasting, and the history of wine. 

The highlight of your visit may be the panoramic tasting room on the top floor, where you can savor a glass of wine while enjoying unparalleled views of the city skyline and Garonne River. In the evening, enjoy a quintessential French tradition, l'apéritif, which involves a light drink and small nibbles before a meal. When you're done, make your way to one of the city's bistros to indulge in local delicacies like entrecôte à la Bordelaise (ribeye steak cooked in a rich sauce made from local wine, shallots, and butter) paired with a glass of chilled entre-deux-mers wine.

Day 2: E-bike to Saint-Émilion, Discover the Monolithic Church of Saint-Émilion

After a restful night in the city, it's time to begin your e-bike adventure with a 37-mile (61 km) ride to Saint-Émilion, a picturesque medieval city synonymous with world-class wine. Meet your guide at the starting point and ask any last-minute questions before having your e-bike and equipment fitting, including a GPS to keep you on track. When ready, hop on your bike and start pedaling along bicycle lanes through scenic vineyards, rolling hills, and quintessentially French villages. If you want to take a break and rest your legs, consider a stop in Créon, a walled bastide town founded in the 13th century. 

Back on your bike, continue past La Sauve-Majeure Abbey (Grande-Sauve Abbey), known for its medieval architecture and Romanesque church. After 2-3 hours, you'll arrive in Saint-Émilion with free time to explore or unwind at the hotel. For some sightseeing, head to the Monolithic Church of Saint-Émilion, a 12th-century church carved directly into limestone rock. As you enter, marvel at the sheer scale of the underground nave, with its high vaulted ceilings and impressive stone columns, before climbing the bell tower for panoramic views of the town and surrounding vineyards.

Day 3: Enjoy a Free Morning or Afternoon, Half-Day Wine Estate Tour

Today, you can choose between a morning or afternoon e-bike tour to two of the area's scenic wineries. Meet your guide at the Rustic Vines tour agency and pedal together through a patchwork of green vineyards and undulating hills, where every turn unveils a new vista of French countryside charm. Stop at a family-run estate for a tour of the vineyards and cellars and learn about the sustainable farming practices and terroir that give Saint-Émilion's wines their distinctive character. After the tour, enjoy a tasting of the estate's finest wines, including a merlot, the varietal for which the region is renowned.

Then, continue to another estate for a wine tasting paired with typical French snacks like olives, local cheese, or charcuterie. After the 4.5-hour tour, you can explore more of the area at your own pace. Go for a stroll through town to admire medieval architecture, such as the 12th-century Saint-Émilion Collegial Catholic Church. Discover the high-vaulted ceilings, delicate stained glass windows, and a beautifully restored altar. The church is also home to smaller chapels, each with its own history and artwork.

Day 4: E-bike to Mouleydier, Visit Église Saint Cybard

Wave goodbye to Saint-Émilion this morning and gear up for an exciting e-bike ride to Mouleydier, a picturesque riverside village in the Dordogne department. You'll cycle through lush vineyards, quaint villages, and meandering hills on today's 54-mile (88 km) journey. When you approach the banks of the Dordogne River, stop for a break to relax, dip your feet in the serene water, and admire the views. After cycling for 2-3 hours, check in at your hotel and freshen up before some self-guided sightseeing.

Go on a stroll to glimpse traditional French village life and stop at landmarks like the Église Saint Cybard, dedicated to a local saint believed to have been the region's first bishop. This 13th-century church showcases elegant Romanesque features, like rounded arches and intricate stone carvings. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to savor dishes from ingredients produced in the region, like foie gras (duck or goose liver pâté) or black truffles accompanied with meat or pasta. Then, end the night with a sweet treat of tarte aux pommes (apple tart), a regional favorite.

Day 5: E-bike to Sarlat-la-Canéda, Explore the Historic Center

Set off on your final e-bike ride to Sarlat-la-Canéda, a medieval gem nestled in the Dordogne Valley. On today's 46-mile (75 km) route, you'll pedal along small roads through the dense oak forests and verdant meadows of the Périgord Noir area, famed for its truffles. Pass medieval hamlets like Le Buisson-de-Cadouin, where you can stop for a break or a bite to eat, and Beynac-et-Cazenac, one of the "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) network, celebrated for its well-preserved medieval architecture.

Wander the maze of narrow cobblestone streets, then ascend a series of steep streets that wind up through the village to reach the 12th-century castle, Château de Beynac (once a stronghold during the Hundred Years' War),  for sweeping views of the Dordogne Valley. Continue your ride, and if the day is hot, go for a refreshing swim in the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers in one of France's most beautiful villages, Limeuil. Then, make one last stop at Château de Commarque, featuring an impressive keep, chapel, and ancient troglodyte dwellings carved into the rock beneath it. 

After 3-4 hours of cycling, check in at your hotel and refresh. You're then free to relax or explore Sarlat-la-Canéda at your own pace. Begin by taking a leisurely walk along the narrow cobblestone streets of the historic center. Admire the collection of golden sandstone buildings, many of which date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, as you make your way to Place de la Liberté, the town's main square. Shop for souvenirs at the boutiques or enjoy a drink before continuing to the Cathédrale Saint-Sacerdos de Sarlat to admire the intricate woodwork, soaring ceilings, and stained glass windows.

Day 6: Visit the Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art & Parc du Thot

Spend your penultimate day in France on a self-guided discovery of the area's prehistoric history. Start at the Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art, just 30 minutes outside Sarlat-la-Canéda. The highlight of the museum is Lascaux IV, a replica of a Paleolithic cave dating back over 17,000 years. The replica uses digital projections and 3D models to recreate the paintings of bison, horses, and other prehistoric animals found in the original cave. After admiring the artworks and learning about the painting methods used by early humans, continue your educational journey at Parc du Thot.

As you stroll through the park, you'll encounter life-sized reconstructions of the animals depicted in the prehistoric cave paintings, like bison and horses, offering a glimpse into the wildlife that once roamed the region. You'll also see more replica cave paintings and interactive displays that explain the significance of these early artworks. Stop at stations along the way, where you can participate in hands-on activities, such as creating your own cave art or trying out ancient tools. In the evening, return to town for a delicious dinner and one last glass of French wine.

Day 7: Train to Bordeaux, Depart

Now that you've cycled across the French countryside and discovered three charming medieval towns and many villages, it's time to return to Bordeaux for your flight home. Head to the station for a 2.5-hour train ride through southwestern France. Enjoy views of the lush countryside featuring emerald vineyards and rolling hills. When you arrive, head straight to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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