You individually travel to Sarlat. If there's some time left take a walk around the town. Sarlat is a medieval town that developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. The medieval Sarlat Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos. Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the towns most representative of 14th century France. A bustling market in Sarlat takes place on Saturday and Wednesday.

Enjoy your evening in Sarlat, which is actually the nice time of the day to visit this famous mediaeval town. The hive and the heat of the day is gone, and all monuments are beautifully lite.

For your first cycling day on the bike, the distance will be short because there are so many sites to visit.

The village of Beynac with its imposing château, the château of Castelnaud, the gardens of Marqueyssac, the village of Roque Gageac “glued” against the rocky sides or the Dordogne river etc etc . Make your pick and enjoy the day full of cultural heritage.  

Challenge: 32.9 km, 475m ascent, 544m descent

(or plan an extra day with a leisurely canoë trip on the Dordogne, which we highly recommend!) 

Today you are heading for Monpazier. A well-deserved leisurely afternoon is waiting for you around the pool. Maybe a visit to Chateau Les Millandes in the morning? This Castle, once owned by the famous singer / entertainer Josephine Baker, now houses a very interesting retrospective on her life. Monpazier is a little mediaeval town, which did hardly change over the last 700 years……. Built in 1284 on the orders of King Edward I as a “bastide”, a fortified town, one can still see houses out of that period. The mediaeval central market square is a gem and often used as a set for historic movie shoots. Monpazier is member of the “plus beaux villages de France”, an organization of “most beautiful villages of France”, your base for tonight.

Challenge: 48.4 km, 747m ascent, 624m descent

(or you can add an extra day in Monpazier, wher we can add a cycling roundtrip from Monpazier to the Castle of Biron - 40km)  

After breakfast you might want to take another stroll through Monpazier before heading off to Trémolat. After 15 km you will find yourself in the small village of St. Avit Seigneur with its impressive abbey. Then head out to Molières, a medieval Bastide town which was never finished.  Also, the Cloister of Cadouin, your next village, is worth a visit. Some centuries ago this cloister was a pilgrimage destination with thousands and thousands of visitors. Maybe you want to have lunch here before continuing your trip. First with a nice stretch through the woods and then via tiny hamlets crossing the Dordogne to the village of Limeuil another member of “les plus beaux villages de France” and rightfully so. This village of 350 residents is at the confluent of the Dordogne and the Vézère rivers. A lovely spot for a break!

Challenge: 49.1 km, 626m ascent, 738m descent

Leaving Limeuil you continue peacefully on new greenway along the Vézère river to the livelier town of Le Bugue (you might want to have lunch stop here), you are heading to Les Eyzies de Tayac, the center of the Prehistoric sites in the area, with its National Prehistoric museum. A great detour of a few km is possible to discover on the other side of the Vézère the troglodyte preshistoric village of La Madeleine in Tursac.

Challenge: 43.2 km, 459m ascent, 497m descent
 

Today is dedicated to all the prehistoric heritage in the Dordogne area. You will follow the Vézère river upstream till the charming village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère before you reach in Montignac with its world-famous Lascaux caves. Cycling distance are bit shorter today to give you ample opportunity to visit.  

Challenge: 35.7 km, 612m ascent, 614m descent

Today you are returning to the beautiful town of Sarlat.

Cycling over the backroads of the typical French countryside to Sarlat via the magnificent gardens of the Château Eyrignac. These are a must visit: typical French gardens. Enjoy your evening in Sarlat, which is actually the nice time of the day to visit this famous mediaeval town. The hive and the heat of the day is gone, and all monuments are beautifully lite.  

Challenge: 46.7 km, 555m ascent, 488m descent

End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Sarlat.