Day 1 : Arrival in Souillac
Welcome to the Dordogne! We will meet at the train station and transfer to your first hotel, where we will provide you with your bike, maps, routes notes, etc... You'll have time to explore the ancient streets of Souillac (the town dates back to the foundation of a Benedictine Monastery in the year 655!), with its cobblestones, boutiques, and 11th century Saint Mary's Abbey. Wander down to the banks of the Dordogne, which you will be following over the next few days. Night and dinner included in Souillac.

Day 2 : Souillac to Montignac 40 Km
Nice scenery, in the middle of the Dordogne's rich countryside, where truffles and cep mushrooms, walnut orchards, and grapes grow, and where you shouldn't be surprised to see goose and duck farms, for the famous foie gras. The destination is Montignac, set upon the first of the two rivers you will see this trip: the smaller and picturesque Vezere. Many of the older houses have flowered balconies overlooking the river flowing below. But though Montignac is pretty, it is more renowned for being the site of the world famous Lascaux caves, with their extraordinary prehistoric paintings. The original site has been closed, to protect this treasure, but the life-sized reproduction, at Lascaux II is more than worth the visit! Night in Montignac, with many restaurants to choose from.

Day 3 : Montignac to Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac 30 Km
The Vézère River Valley, where it seems nothing has changed since the prehistoric times the region is famous for, like the world famous Lascaux caves. Your ride continues to the prehistoric capital, Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac with the National Prehistory Museum, and the Font de Gaume polychromatic cave paintings. In order to protect the site, access into the caves is limited to only 100 visitors a day, so be aware that you should book ahead if you would like to visit this unique site!
Night and dinner in Les Eyzies.

Day 4 : Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac to Domme 36 Km
Your route today takes you via Sarlat, one of the best preserved medieval vestiges of Europe. You'll want to take the time to wander the 15th and 16th century streets (all pedestrian now) and courtyards, surrounded by golden-stoned houses with the typical "lauze" (flat stone) rooftops. The ride continues back towards the river valley of the Dordogne, and your day's destination: Domme. This village, an excellent example of the Bastide villages (fortified villages) of Medieval France, was built in the 13th century by Philip the Bold; there are still examples of medieval graffiti by the templar knights!
Night in Domme, and with a variety of options for your dinner.

Day 5 : Loop ride, Domme to Domme 35 Km
The loop ride for the day is one of the most picturesque, passing through some of the "prettiest villages of France" (this is an official national rating!) and castles lining the river that warred across from each other... You will discover typical village such as Beynac, with its imposing castle built by the Barons of Beynac. The sheer cliff overlooking the Dordogne was excellent protection on one side, and they experimented with many new protective fortifications on the other side. Also La Roque Gageac, with its narrow houses flat against the cliffside overlooking the Dordogne, built around original troglodyte dwellings. Night and dinner back  in Domme.

Day 6 : Domme back to Souillac 40 Km
Nice scenery again, as you ride following the bends and curves of the Dordogne. En route you will spot the Chateaux of Felon and Montfort. Chateau de Montfort is particularly stunning, clinging to the side of a hill, overlooking as it does the "Meander of Montfort", a large tight curl in the river below. As with so many of the region's castles, the site was attacked, damaged, and rebuilt a multitude of times over the centuries. The end of the day finds you back in Souillac, for your final evening. Dinner included.

Day 7 : Departure - Bon Voyage!