Bike Across France

Serene cycling through unspoiled southwestern France

The National Geographic Traveler award-winning addition to our “Bike Across” collection.

Destination

France

Activity

Biking

Level

Intermediate

Duration

9 days / 8 nights

You're an avid cyclist and France is on your Bike Bucket list but you can't decide where to go! Try three regions of France, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, and Languedoc-Roussillion.

From $6,895 PP 9 days / 8 nights

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You're an avid cyclist and France is on your Bike Bucket list but you can't decide where to go! Try three regions of France, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, and Languedoc-Roussillion.

I t’s time to discover a new world! The three regions of France, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillion in the southwest rival the best of Italy for its storied history, castles, lush green scenery, stone villages, excellent wines, ancient art, prehistoric sites, generous people, and hearty provincial cuisine. Explore it with us on this deliciously offbeat itinerary.

On this bike across journey, we cycle along country lanes and discover that every trail reveals a fantastic scene from traditional France: timeless villages of golden stone, hilltop castles shining like visions from a medieval tale, and towering oak forests where a knight on a white horse might not look out of place. The full cultural immersion in this corner of France is facilitated by the amazing enchanting towns visited and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, like Saint-Emilion in Bordeaux area and Albi and Carcassonne. Bergerac zone and Sarlat represent another great surprise if you have never been in the area called “Perigord,” situated in the Dordogne Department.

Tour Essence

Discover four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Saint Emilion, Vezere Valley, Albi, and the Carcassonne fortress
Truly discover the road less traveled in three regions: Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillion
Savor the wines of four major wine areas: Bordeaux, Bergerac, Cahors, Gaillac
Learn about prehistoric sites of Cap Blanc and Medieval Castelnaud Castle in Dordogne
Visit the town of Carcassonne and the museum of Toulouse-Lautrec
Go on a tranquil canoe ride on the Dordogne river

What to Expect

Terrain

Rolling with a few climbs

Start Location

Saint-Emilion

End Location

Carcassonne

Mileage

Average Daily: 30 miles Total: 263/295 miles

Elevation

Average Daily: 3,402 ft Total: 27,222 ft

Recognition

Winner of "National Geographic Traveler Magazine Tours of a Lifetime" in 2013.

Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.

What’s Included

Van support
Expert, bilingual guides
4 guided visits: prehistoric site of Cap Blanc, Castelnaud Castle, the historical town of Carcassonne, and Albi historical center and cathedral
Canoe ride on the Dordogne River
2 wine tastings
Cycling clinics and one-on-one coaching
Shuttle at the end of the tour

What’s Included

Use of a carbon road bike equipped with a Garmin Edge Touring GPS
Ciclismo jersey and water bottle
Two water bottle holders
Map holder on handlebars and a Garmin Edge GPS
Handlebar bag
Tire pump
Combination bike lock
Gel-padded saddle
Choice of pedals
Card with your tour leaders’ mobile phone numbers
Pedal Options:
Flat pedals
Half-toe pedals (without straps)
Toe cage pedals

What’s Not Included

Helmet
Optional: clipless pedals with shoes
Optional: your own saddle

All accommodations
All breakfasts
2 lunches
6 dinners

The list of activities range from two wine tastings to a canoe ride on the Dordogne River. This tour has been beautifully tailored to peel back the layers of history, while savoring the gastronomy and the French lifestyle in the southwest, all from the vantage point of our saddle to really feel immersed in the nature, looking for the right rhythm to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience in this unforgettable corner of Europe. Allez, allez les cyclistes!

Dates

2023

Jun 3 - 11

Available

Sep 2 - 10

Available

Sep 23 - Oct 1

Available

From $6,895 PP 9 days / 8 nights

$900 Optional Single Supplement

Book Now

Schedule A Call

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Any of our tours can be made private. Contact us to learn more.

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Itinerary

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Start Location

Saint-Emilion

Fly Into

Paris, France

End Location

Carcassonne

Fly Out Of

Paris, France

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STYLED MAP

Day 1

Saint-Emilion Warm-Up Ride

Today we meet in the lobby of our hotel at 12:30 pm for introductions and a light lunch, followed by a ride through the country farmlands and vineyards. Our route takes us through nearby villages and gives a good overview of the local terrain and ambiance. The Ancient Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is an outstanding example of a historic vineyard landscape. Later, we have our first wine tasting at La Cave Dourthe nearby the hotel.

Average Mileage

11.7 miles

Elevation Gain

472 ft

Riding Terrain

Flat and rolling

Accommodations

Chateau Hotel & Spa Grand Barrail

Surrounded by a 3-acre park, the Hotel Grand Barrail is a 4-star property that includes a full-service spa, steam room and sauna, as well as a seasonal outdoor pool. Wireless internet is available throughout and all rooms have air conditioning.

Luxury Level

Day 2

Bergerac area

After breakfast our ride unfolds along famous vineyards and quiet landscapes and ends near Bergerac, a gem of well preserved historical homes and churches. Lunch is on your own in St Foy La Grande - there are many options. The local appellation wines are among the top rated in the whole Bordeaux area, such as “Pecharmant” which in the local Occitan dialect means “nice hill.” Surely, we won’t miss a sip of this noble nectar during dinner.

Average Mileage

57 miles

Elevation Gain

3,100 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling with a few climbs

Accommodations

Chateau les Merles

The Chateau les Merles is a 4-star boutique hotel in southern France. Their charming castle estate is a stone’s throw from Bergerac and Bordeaux.

Luxury Level 4 stars

Day 3

Sarlat

Upon entering the heart of Périgord Noir after breakfast, a region famous for its walnut trees and truffles, you will undoubtedly marvel at its natural splendor and the castles which surround it. Today we ride in the Vézère Valley, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of this area. We then visit Cap Blanc with the help of local guides. Our final destination today is Sarlat-la-Caneda, the charming capital of Périgord Noir and a perfect example of a well-preserved medieval town.

Average Mileage

45/62 miles

Elevation Gain

3,000/4,000 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling with some 1-2 mile climbs—more climbs and descents on extra loop

Accommodations

Plaza Madeleine

The 4-star Plaza Madeleine is ideally located at the entrance of the medieval city with its famous monuments, markets and shops, numerous restaurants, street shows and performances.

Luxury Level 4 stars

Day 4

Dordogne: Canoe trip

Sarlat is also famous for the local market which is held weekly on Wednesday and Saturday, which we visit after breakfast. On this tour we have been able to set dates that, in almost all our departures, happen to be in those days in Sarlat. Today we hop off our bikes for a tranquil, no-rapids canoe ride down the Dordogne River to see all that the region has to offer. Along the way, we see the stunning La Roque-Gageac. Lunch will be a picnic in the lovely park of Eco Musee de la Noix. After lunch we have a guided tour of Castelnaud Castle, which will give us insight into its historical significance.

Accommodations

Plaza Madeleine

The 4-star Plaza Madeleine is ideally located at the entrance of the medieval city with its famous monuments, markets and shops, numerous restaurants, street shows and performances.

Luxury Level 4 stars

Day 5

Chateau de Mercues

Today’s ride leads us into the Quercy region in the department of Lot. This area is known for its authenticity, both in regards to its nature as well as its buildings and houses. We regroup at the scenic Domme, which offers a stunning view of the Dordogne River. Our ride then ends near the town of Cahors. Before dinner, we enjoy a wine tasting and visit to the Chateau’s 21,500-square-foot cellar!

Average Mileage

47/59 miles

Elevation Gain

4,100/4,700 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling with a few 2-3 mile climbs—more climbs and descents on extra loop

Accommodations

Chateau de Mercues

Feel like a queen or king and enjoy the elegant atmosphere of this historical building. Before dinner we enjoy a wine tasting and visit to the Chateau’s 21,500-square-foot cellar to experience the robust and full-bodied Cahors wine, featuring the Malbec grape that is grown here. (The hotel’s restaurant also boasts a Michelin-starred chef!)

Luxury Level

Day 6

Albi

Today we shuttle to the medieval town of Sant Antonin de Noble Val, where our ride begins. This route takes us through a quaint countryside, beautiful farmlands, and pastures of the area, and we cross the Gorge de l’Aveyron river. We continue our ride on a plateau through cultivated fields and farms, and through a quiet area, we head towards the historic town of Albi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the ancient capital of the Cathars.

Average Mileage

45 miles

Elevation Gain

4,000 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling with a few climbs between 2 and 3 miles, with a final shuttle to the hotel

Accommodations

Hotel Alchimy

This family-run modern hotel is on a quiet street right near the old town center and is housed in an art deco building. The hotel offers chic rooms and suites alongside very friendly, professional service. The rooms are spacious with lots of personality and all are A/C equipped.

Luxury Level

Day 7

Castres

After breakfast, we have a chance to enjoy and spend time in Albi. We have a guided tour of the town (cathedral and choir included) and then a visit to Toulouse Lautrec museum. Today you can also explore the narrow alleys in the oldest part of town or take photos of the amazing view over the river Tarn and the local houses built with stone and wood, characteristic of the town. Then we ride to Castres. This route winds its way through a variety of settings, from dense forests to pastures in the quiet and pristine Park of Haut Languedoc. We end the day with a cooking class in the evening with chef Damien at Comme a la Maison, an organic-vegetarian restaurant.

Average Mileage

32/36 miles

Elevation Gain

2,300/6,000 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling with some 2-mile climbs—more elevation to gain on extra loop

Accommodations

Grand Hotel de Castres

Our very charming hotel is in the center of the lesser-known town of Castres, which is believed to have been founded in AD 647, possibly on the site of an old Roman fort (castrum). This is the fourth largest industrial center of the predominantly rural Midi-Pyrénées region. It’s also known for being the birthplace of the famous political leader Jean Jaures and home to the important Goya Museum of Spanish paintings.

Luxury Level

Day 8

Carcassonne

After breakfast we discover the forest of the black Mountain (Montaigne Noire in French) on a spectacular 12-mile climb at about 4-6% average grade. This is followed by a long descent, and the last part of the day will be a nice and enjoyable approach to our final destination, the town of Carcassonne. The extra loop goes to Pic de Nore (~3,970 ft), with a challenging 7.5-mile climb (average 6.5% with 3 miles between 7 and 9%, maximum 11%).

Average Mileage

53/57 miles

Elevation Gain

4,050/4,950 ft

Riding Terrain

One 6-mile gradual climb and long descent

Accommodations

Hotel Du Chateau

During your time in Carcassonne, you can choose to either relax in the beautiful 4-star Hotel Du Chateau Spa near the fortress or take a guided tour with a local guide through the ancient part of town. You can also sip a local pastis aperitif while savoring the spectacular view of this fortification perched on the hill, looming over the Canal du Midi. Tonight we have a farewell dinner at La Marquiere.

Luxury Level 4 stars

Day 9

Au Revoir!

It’s time to say au revoir! After breakfast, we have a shuttle that will take you to the Carcassonne train station to make your next connections or extend your stay in the area.