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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours in Europe - and Now Beyond!
Representing Overseas Bike Tour Companies
More Than 200 Tours in 40 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Self-guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 6 Nights |
| Distance: | 30 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: May 6; Jun 6, 17; Jul 1, 15; Aug 13, 25; Sep 9 and 23, 2012 |
| Tour price: | $1645 |
| Start city: | Bergerac, France |
| End city: | Bergerac, France |
Enjoy leisure cycling in the beautiful and unspoilt Lot and Dordogne regions in sunny southwest France on this tour. The Lot is one of the largest and least populated regions and offers terrain ranging from lush river valleys to gently rolling countryside, to shady green forest and rocky limestone causses. You will stay the whole week at the lovely old, stone Mas (farmhouse) nestled in the tranquil, wooded countryside of the Bouriane, between the Lot and Dordogne Rivers. All you have to do is unpack, unwind and enjoy the ride!
After a substantial breakfast each day, you set out on easy-paced cycling along quiet country lanes, exploring the surrounding villages, medieval towns and dramatic vistas of this delightful and varied region. This tour fully embraces the French way of life, featuring excellent food, plentiful wine and convivial company, all to be enjoyed in the extremely comfortable and relaxing surroundings of a lovely house in the country.
Everything will be provided for you to make your French cycling holiday relaxing and memorable:
Enjoy leisure cycling in the beautiful and unspoilt Lot and Dordogne regions in sunny southwest France on this tour. The Lot is one of the largest and least populated regions and offers terrain ranging from lush river valleys to gently rolling countryside, to shady green forest and rocky limestone causses. You will stay the whole week at the lovely old, stone Mas (farmhouse) nestled in the tranquil, wooded countryside of the Bouriane, between the Lot and Dordogne Rivers. All you have to do is unpack, unwind and enjoy the ride!
After a substantial breakfast each day, you set out on easy-paced cycling along quiet country lanes, exploring the surrounding villages, medieval towns and dramatic vistas of this delightful and varied region. This tour fully embraces the French way of life, featuring excellent food, plentiful wine and convivial company, all to be enjoyed in the extremely comfortable and relaxing surroundings of a lovely house in the country.
Everything will be provided for you to make your French cycling holiday relaxing and memorable:
Day 1: Welcome
The tour company will meet you at Bergerac Airport or Gourdon rail station and drive you to Mas de Flory, your home for the week. Relax and unwind with a glass of wine or champagne while you settle in and later enjoy a long, lazy meal of 4 courses with plenty of wine and coffee to finish, and meet your fellow guests for the week.
Day 2: Meander the River Dordogne to Souillac (27 miles/43 km)
After a substantial breakfast you'll be fitted with your bike to ensure you feel comfortable and confident before setting off. Today's route follows quiet country roads through a series of pretty villages, past an ancient abbey, following a stream valley until you reach Grolejac, where you can stop for coffee and a delicious pastry.
From here you'll turn eastwards to follow the River Dordogne to the quaint villages of Veyrignac and St Julien de Lampon. Then you'll cross the river and cycle into the town of Souillac with it's many cafes, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. After having plenty of time to explore you will be returned to Mas de flory to relax before another delightful evening meal.
Day 3: Catus market and valley vistas (29 miles/46 km)
Today you'll cycle along quiet, leafy backroads, following a mostly flat route to the small town of Catus, where you can browse the quaint small town and visit the weekly market, perhaps to buy some fresh provisions for a lazy lunch by the lovely Lac Vert.
In the afternoon you'll continue southwards and make your way towards the Lot River Valley and the pretty town of Luzech. You'll get there via the amazing views from the Col de Crayssac and the spectacular downhill, switchback sweep of the route de Cevenne, which is a thrilling ride! You can then meander through the AOC Cahors vineyards (along the Cahors Wine Trail and Lot Valley Cycle Route) and Chateaux of Caix, Parnac, Caillac and into pretty Douelle, where you will meet the tour companyat a riverside bar before returning to Mas de Flory at the end of the afternoon.
Day 4: Vers and Lot river valleys to St Cirq Lapopie (24 miles/39 km)
Today is a beautiful sweeping downhill route until the end of the route, where you will have a climb to the beautiful village of St Cirq Lapopie, which is absolutely worth the effort! You'll start by cycling east across stunning countryside and along lovely wide, shady forest roads before joining the Vers Valley to cycle south towards the River Lot. This road has stunning views as you sweep between the high limestone rocky outcrops that line the valley.
You then join the Lot Valley and cycle to the quaint towns of Vers, St Gery and Bouzies, before crossing the river and climbing up to St Cirq Lapopie. St Cirq is recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France and is definitely worthy of this accolade. Its maze of steeply sloping, narrow, cobbled streets is lined with interesting old houses, with stone or wood frontages dating from the 13th to 16th centuries.
You will have time to enjoy a well-earned beer at one of the many cafes or simply to explore this lovely village. On the return home you will have the option to visit the Grottes de Pechmerle to see its prehistoric cave paintings.
Day 5: Villages of the Bouriane (24 miles/38 km)
Today you'll cycle through the dappled green shade of the wooded backroads in the Bouriane, exploring tiny and pretty hamlets, such as Rampoux, Thedirac and Gindou. Another highlight is the small town of Cazals with its attractive central square, where you could stop for a drink or cool off by the lake on the edge of the town.
Youll also ride into charming town of Les Arques, where a visit to the museum of Zadkine with its remarkable sculptures is a must. Les Arques is also home to the wonderful La Recreation restaurant, whose story is charmingly told in the book 'From Here You Can't See Paris' by Michael Sanders. In exploring these lovely rural villages you'll get to experience the real local France, often remaining unchanged through hundreds of years.
Day 6: River Lot and AOC Cahors vineyards (19 miles/30 km)
On your last cycling day youll explore the lovely winding River Lot and finish the day with a wine-tasting! This tour follows part of the Cahors AOC wine route, which was voted best wine route by The FrenchPaper in June 2009.
You will meander along the river and among the vineyards, passing through the small villages of Albas, Castelfranc, Anglars-Juillac and Grezels all of which have bars where you can stop for a coffee or a cool beer and watch the river flow. If you'd like to work a bit harder you could take a detour up to either Albas or Belaye, both of which are fairly steep climbs, but absolutely worth it due to the breathtaking views across the valley.
After lunch by the river, the route continues to Puy L'Eveque, where you can take some time to explore the ancient port and medieval town with its 14th century streets and houses rising from the Lot River and cladding the hillside beyond.
Take the rest of the afternoon to cycle amongst the AOC Cahors vineyards and make the moderate climb to Floressas, where you'll find Chateau Chambert sitting majestically above the vines. Here you can join a tour of the grounds and then taste their wonderful selection of Cahors wines, based on the Malbec grape and grown biodynamically. You don't need to worry about cycling afterwards as the tour company will once again meet you with the support vehicle and drive you back home to enjoy your last evening with yet another delicious dinner!
Day 7: ‘Au revoir’
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven to Gourdon rail station or Bergerac airport to meet your homeward connection.
May 6; Jun 6, 17; Jul 1, 15; Aug 13, 25; Sep 9 and 23, 2012
| Tour package (self-guided) |  |
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On this tour, you will stay in a beautiful converted 18th century barn, which stands at the edge of a pretty courtyard. It has comfortable accommodation for up to 10 people. You will stay in one of the 5 light and airy bedrooms which are all decorated in an individual, fresh, country style and have very smart en-suite bathrooms. There are 4 rooms on the first floor: 3 double (Iris, Jasmin and Jonquille) and one with two single beds (Coquelicot). The 5th bedroom, on the ground floor, (Rose) has a glazed door opening onto the garden terrace.
All bedrooms feature:
An airy, spacious living room with a mezzanine lounge, comfortable sofas and, further downstairs, there is a cozy sitting area and large communal dining table.
On this tour, you will stay in a beautiful converted 18th century barn, which stands at the edge of a pretty courtyard. It has comfortable accommodation for up to 10 people. You will stay in one of the 5 light and airy bedrooms which are all decorated in an individual, fresh, country style and have very smart en-suite bathrooms. There are 4 rooms on the first floor: 3 double (Iris, Jasmin and Jonquille) and one with two single beds (Coquelicot). The 5th bedroom, on the ground floor, (Rose) has a glazed door opening onto the garden terrace.
All bedrooms feature:
An airy, spacious living room with a mezzanine lounge, comfortable sofas and, further downstairs, there is a cozy sitting area and large communal dining table.
The bikes on this tour are a high quality Giant touring bike with 27-gears. Equipment provided with the bike are a front detachable bar bag with map holder, rear detachable bag with carry strap, water bottles and repair kits.
The bikes on this tour are a high quality Giant touring bike with 27-gears. Equipment provided with the bike are a front detachable bar bag with map holder, rear detachable bag with carry strap, water bottles and repair kits.
Each day's route covers between 20-35 miles (35-60 kilometers), which translates into around 5 hours of leisurely cycling each day. The majority of the riding is along quiet, virtually traffic-free roads and mostly gently undulating terrain with a few challenging climbs scattered among the days.
There will be easier and harder options included on each route, enabling you to select according to your level of cycling ability. Although none of the routes are difficult, they all contain occasional, moderate climbs so you do need to be reasonably fit and healthy to be able to complete them comfortably. Approximately 95% of the tour is on quiet roads and 5% on roads shared with traffic.
This tour is rated Leisure and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
The tour company will spend time with you on your first day making sure the bike fits you well. A number of sizes and saddles are available, so that you will be comfortable throughout your cycling holiday
You will also be given extremely detailed maps and notes, as well as an introductory talk each day, so that you can easily follow and enjoy the routes. Support throughout the tour is through a backup bus that will check to make sure everything is all right and sort out any problems. And of course you can always jump on board if you want a break!
Each day's route covers between 20-35 miles (35-60 kilometers), which translates into around 5 hours of leisurely cycling each day. The majority of the riding is along quiet, virtually traffic-free roads and mostly gently undulating terrain with a few challenging climbs scattered among the days.
There will be easier and harder options included on each route, enabling you to select according to your level of cycling ability. Although none of the routes are difficult, they all contain occasional, moderate climbs so you do need to be reasonably fit and healthy to be able to complete them comfortably. Approximately 95% of the tour is on quiet roads and 5% on roads shared with traffic.
This tour is rated Leisure and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
The tour company will spend time with you on your first day making sure the bike fits you well. A number of sizes and saddles are available, so that you will be comfortable throughout your cycling holiday
You will also be given extremely detailed maps and notes, as well as an introductory talk each day, so that you can easily follow and enjoy the routes. Support throughout the tour is through a backup bus that will check to make sure everything is all right and sort out any problems. And of course you can always jump on board if you want a break!
Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Bergerac Dordogne Perigord Airport in Bergerac, France
Nearest train station: Gourdon train station in Gourdon, France
Transfers to and from Bergerac airport and Gourdon train station are included in the price of the tour.
From Paris there is a direct line from Paris-Austerlitz to Gourdon that takes approximately 4.5 hours. You can also take a domestic flight from Paris to Toulouse, where there is an easy rail transfer to Gourdon.
Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Bergerac Dordogne Perigord Airport in Bergerac, France
Nearest train station: Gourdon train station in Gourdon, France
Transfers to and from Bergerac airport and Gourdon train station are included in the price of the tour.
From Paris there is a direct line from Paris-Austerlitz to Gourdon that takes approximately 4.5 hours. You can also take a domestic flight from Paris to Toulouse, where there is an easy rail transfer to Gourdon.
With more than 40,000 monuments and 6,000 museums, France's history and tradition continue to thrive in Western Europe's largest country. Along with its history, France is at the forefront of modern development, a leader among European nations. A country of contrasts, France provides opportunities for all interests. Fashion, art and elegance prosper in the dynamic cities of Paris, Lyon, and Nice. Outside the cities, a variety of landscapes stretch over the remaining 80% of the country.
France's hexagonal shape is defined by the English Channel and Atlantic on the western coast with the Pyrenees and Alps sitting on the southwest and southeast borders. The Mediterranean Sea runs along the southern coast with the Rhine River flowing beside the German border. Visitors exploring the cities or countryside can bask in France’s pleasant climate, enjoying the stylish life, local wine and cuisine.
With more than 40,000 monuments and 6,000 museums, France's history and tradition continue to thrive in Western Europe's largest country. Along with its history, France is at the forefront of modern development, a leader among European nations. A country of contrasts, France provides opportunities for all interests. Fashion, art and elegance prosper in the dynamic cities of Paris, Lyon, and Nice. Outside the cities, a variety of landscapes stretch over the remaining 80% of the country.
France's hexagonal shape is defined by the English Channel and Atlantic on the western coast with the Pyrenees and Alps sitting on the southwest and southeast borders. The Mediterranean Sea runs along the southern coast with the Rhine River flowing beside the German border. Visitors exploring the cities or countryside can bask in France’s pleasant climate, enjoying the stylish life, local wine and cuisine.
Lot Cycling Holidays is a small, friendly holiday company based in the lovely area of Quercy in southwest France. They are a family business owned by Aileen, John and Richard, who live permanently in France. As they say to their clients, "It’s our home, we love it and we know it well and that helps us to give you a great time". They are very focused on making sure you enjoy your stay.
Their unique point is that customers stay at their very comfortable country home for the whole of the stay, where they can enjoy gourmet-standard food and wine. There is no need to pack a suitcase every day and move on to a new base, as guests arrive and settle in to their light and airy en-suite room for the week and know that they will be returning to enjoy a 4-course menu every evening.
Lot Cycling Holidays is a small, friendly holiday company based in the lovely area of Quercy in southwest France. They are a family business owned by Aileen, John and Richard, who live permanently in France. As they say to their clients, "It’s our home, we love it and we know it well and that helps us to give you a great time". They are very focused on making sure you enjoy your stay.
Their unique point is that customers stay at their very comfortable country home for the whole of the stay, where they can enjoy gourmet-standard food and wine. There is no need to pack a suitcase every day and move on to a new base, as guests arrive and settle in to their light and airy en-suite room for the week and know that they will be returning to enjoy a 4-course menu every evening.
BOOKING CONDITIONS for LOT Cycling Holidays
Cancellation by you
Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your chosen holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us via email. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our office. If we receive your notice 6 weeks or more before departure, we will retain your deposit. If we receive it less than 6 weeks before departure, the following charges will be payable per person cancelling.The charges set out below are shown as a percentage of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling.
41 - 29 days= 30%
28 - 15 days= 50%
14 - days or less= 100%
If any member(s) of your party is/are prevented from travelling, the person(s) concerned may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing the following requirements are complied with. We must be notified of the transfer(s) in writing (giving full details of the original and substitute party member(s)) not less than two weeks before departure. A transfer will not be possible if there is a waiting list for places in which case the available place must be offered to the next person on that list.
Changes by you
Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will try to help, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such requests. Where we can, an amendment fee of up to 30 €uros may be payable.
Changes and cancellation by us
We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always try to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor. If we have to make a significant change, or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:
(a) accepting the changed arrangements or
(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available.
Cycling ability and itinerary
To avoid any unnecessary risk to customers, we must reserve the right to modify the holiday of any rider who, in our opinion, proves to be unsuitable for the ride chosen. In this unlikely event any additional costs will be borne by the customer. It is the responsibility of the customer to behave in a suitable manner at all times and to follow the advice and instructions of the guide. If local conditions, such as bad weather, dictate a change in the proposed itinerary, the decision of the guide must be accepted and no refund will be offered in such circumstances.
Your responsiblities
Bookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons travelling are normally in good health and able to fulfil the physical demands of the chosen holiday. In the interests of safety, you must follow the guidance in our notes, as well as that provided by anybody on our behalf and act sensibly and prudently at all times.
We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.
Insurance
We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You must give details of your policy (insurer and policy number) on or before your final payment date.
Website accuracy
Please note, the information shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking.
Complaints and problems
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform Lot Cycling Holidays. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to them as soon as possible. If the complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction straight away, you must contact us with full details by telephone or fax within 48 hours. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot assist.
BOOKING CONDITIONS for LOT Cycling Holidays
Cancellation by you
Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your chosen holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us via email. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our office. If we receive your notice 6 weeks or more before departure, we will retain your deposit. If we receive it less than 6 weeks before departure, the following charges will be payable per person cancelling.The charges set out below are shown as a percentage of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling.
41 - 29 days= 30%
28 - 15 days= 50%
14 - days or less= 100%
If any member(s) of your party is/are prevented from travelling, the person(s) concerned may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing the following requirements are complied with. We must be notified of the transfer(s) in writing (giving full details of the original and substitute party member(s)) not less than two weeks before departure. A transfer will not be possible if there is a waiting list for places in which case the available place must be offered to the next person on that list.
Changes by you
Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will try to help, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such requests. Where we can, an amendment fee of up to 30 €uros may be payable.
Changes and cancellation by us
We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always try to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor. If we have to make a significant change, or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:
(a) accepting the changed arrangements or
(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available.
Cycling ability and itinerary
To avoid any unnecessary risk to customers, we must reserve the right to modify the holiday of any rider who, in our opinion, proves to be unsuitable for the ride chosen. In this unlikely event any additional costs will be borne by the customer. It is the responsibility of the customer to behave in a suitable manner at all times and to follow the advice and instructions of the guide. If local conditions, such as bad weather, dictate a change in the proposed itinerary, the decision of the guide must be accepted and no refund will be offered in such circumstances.
Your responsiblities
Bookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons travelling are normally in good health and able to fulfil the physical demands of the chosen holiday. In the interests of safety, you must follow the guidance in our notes, as well as that provided by anybody on our behalf and act sensibly and prudently at all times.
We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.
Insurance
We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You must give details of your policy (insurer and policy number) on or before your final payment date.
Website accuracy
Please note, the information shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking.
Complaints and problems
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform Lot Cycling Holidays. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to them as soon as possible. If the complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction straight away, you must contact us with full details by telephone or fax within 48 hours. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot assist.
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