Website cookies Besides essential cookies, if you agree, we’d like to set optional ones that remember your wishlist for your next visit and that provide analytics for us to improve the site and our advertising. A cookie will remember your choice. If you change your mind, click on the ‘cookies’ link at the foot of the page. Learn more

0     
+44 (0)1653 617001
back
back
back
back
back
back
Escape the everyday
Travel highlights for every season
  • Late summer escapes
  • Winter experiences
  • Book ahead for 2022
  • Plus... Why you can book and travel with confidence
Download brochure
back
back
back
 

The Dordogne Valley

Beautiful scenery & hill-top châteaux
 
Magnificent, scenic routes lead via caves, châteaux, pretty villages and spectacular Rocamadour, all of which you have time to visit as you cycle self-guided between characterful hotels with pools, while your luggage is transported.
The Dordogne Valley. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
The Dordogne Valley. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in the Dordogne

The Dordogne Valley’s ravishing countryside, great history and wonderful gastronomy make an ideal combination. As you meander along quiet country lanes through the hills and along the river, your eye is drawn time and again to hill-top châteaux standing sentinel above the valley and to the ancient villages in whose Romanesque churches pilgrims have prayed for centuries. The area’s great gastronomic traditions are well represented at our comfortable inns, but the real joy of this holiday is to cycle through some of France’s most alluring countryside, a delight to discover on two wheels.
This scenic route explores the beguiling landscapes between the handsome market town of Souillac and the pretty, hill-top village of Loubressac. Each evening, enjoy wonderful gastronomic dinners, while for lunch, picnic by the river or stop at authentic, inexpensive village restaurants. The cycling is undulating and, in places, challenging, but always rewarding, and there is time to pause at the châteaux and churches that you pass. A real highlight of the week is exploring the renowned hanging village of Rocamadour, and you can also visit the remarkable and vast cave system of the Gouffre de Padirac.
 

Book with confidence

At present, we are only accepting bookings for France for travel from 15 September onwards. Our flexible booking arrangements, commitment to safety and financial protection mean that you can book with confidence, despite the current travel restrictions in place.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Check the destination entry requirements >

If you have a holiday booking with us already, we will contact you before your balance is due (currently 4 weeks before departure) to advise whether or not the holiday can go ahead.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 9 11 13 16 20 23 26 26 23 19 13 9
    mm 87 79 70 71 80 68 50 67 77 74 89 94
  • Arrival in Souillac
    Night 1: at La Vieille Auberge (where you spend one night).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Choice of routes from Souillac to Hospitalet: 22km or 30km

    Souillac to Hospitalet: 30km
    Take time to explore medieval Souillac, which boasts a 12th-century abbey church and a curious museum of automata. When you are ready to leave, you head south alongside the Dordogne and cross the river, passing the fine châteaux of Treyne and Belcastel. You rise steadily through the beautiful Ouysse Valley past a good viewpoint, with a chance to visit an old working flour mill, Le Moulin de Caugnaguet on your way.

    Souillac to Hospitalet via Lacave: 22km
    A shorter option climbs through pretty countryside to reach Lacave, before continuing to the causse (limestone plateau) to reach Hospitalet, perhaps stopping en route to visit a fromagerie – a goat's cheese farm. Your destination is the Hotel Le Troubadour in Hospitalet where you spend two nights.
    Château de la Treyne
    Souillac to Hospitalet: 30km
    Souillac to Hospitalet via Lacave: 22km
  • Circular route from Hospitalet: 30km
    You will probably want to spend your day exploring the nearby village of Rocamadour, justifiably one of the most famous sights in France. Crowned by a castle, this dramatic 'hanging village' has been a centre of pilgrimage for centuries. However, if you want to venture further afield, a most enjoyable circular route leads to the town of Gramat – a perfect place to stop for lunch – before finishing with an exhilarating descent offering magnificent views over Rocamadour.
    Circular route from Hospitalet: 30km
    Rocamadour
  • Hospitalet to Loubressac: 29km; shorter option: 25km
    This delightful route takes you to the Gouffre de Padirac, a spectacular 'must-see' cave 100 metres underground that is visited by boat and on foot (pay locally). From here, you cycle to the Cirque d'Autoire, a natural amphitheatre with a series of waterfalls. It is worth visiting the idyllic village of the same name before climbing steadily to the fortified hill-top town of Loubressac and your hotel, the Relais de Castelnau. An easier option, missing out Autoire, is also available.
    Hospitalet to Loubressac: 29km
    Autoire
  • Loubressac to La Vaysse: 26km; to Lacave: 37km
    From Loubressac you descend into the Dordogne Valley and follow the great river westwards to the superbly preserved medieval village of Carennac. Take time to admire the turreted and brown-tiled houses, ruined priory and Romanesque church before continuing along a picturesque stretch of the valley (first on the south bank, then on the north bank), passing many superb viewpoints. Your destination is the Domaine de la Vaysse in a secluded setting near the historic town of Martel. Here you spend two nights.
    As an upgrade, we also offer the stylish Hotel Le Pont de l'Ouysse in Lacave. To enjoy this added touch of luxury, you cycle a further 11 kilometres along the river, crossing at Meyronne to reach this delightful riverside hotel. Set beneath the Château de Belcastel, it boasts a stunning location and a marvellous Michelin-starred restaurant.
    Carennac
    Loubressac to La Vaysse: 26km
    Loubressac to Lacave: 37km
  • Choice of routes: 18km to 34km

    Linear route from La Vaysse: 29km
    If you are staying at Domaine de la Vaysse, we recommend an ‘out-and-back’ route to Lacave to visit the astonishing stalactites and stalagmites in the caves there. This can be combined with a self-guided canoe trip – an excellent way to explore the Dordogne.

    Circular route via Martel: 18km from La Vaysse; 34km from Lacave
    Alternatively, you could cycle along picturesque lanes north of the Dordogne to the medieval town of Martel, a delightful place to visit and enjoy a leisurely lunch.
    Linear route from La Vaysse: 29km
    Circular route via Martel: 18km from La Vaysse
    Martel's marketplace
    Circular route via Martel: 34km from Lacave
  • La Vaysse/Lacave to Souillac: 27km
    Today's route crosses the Dordogne to St Sozy, after which you have a steep, but short, uphill section to reach the plateau, from where there are far-reaching views across the valley. Your efforts are rewarded with easy cycling for the rest of the day as you pass through rural farming communities before a final magnificent descent through a quiet valley to reach Souillac. You spend your final night in La Vieille Auberge.
    La Vaysse/Lacave to Souillac: 27km
    Souillac
 

Accommodation

There is a variety of styles of accommodation on this holiday (see our page about chambres d'hôtes for more information on French guesthouses), and we offer a choice of accommodation around Martel: you can either stay at Domaine de la Vaysse, or make your holiday all the more special, by upgrading to Hotel Le Pont de l'Ouysse in nearby Lacave. Please indicate your preference at the time of booking. As Hotel Le Pont de l'Ouysse is very popular, it is advisable to book well in advance.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter
We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.
Please enter an amount Please enter a valid amount British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Currency is required
NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 7 nights: 09 April 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 09 April 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    9 - 30 Apr 2021 £960 £225
    1 - 21 May 2021 £985 £225
    22 May - 27 Jun 2021 £1045 £240
    28 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £1065 £240
    29 Aug - 30 Sep 2021 £1045 £240
    1 - 4 Oct 2021 £960 £225
    9 - 30 Apr 2022 £990 £240
    1 - 21 May 2022 £1035 £240
    22 May - 27 Jun 2022 £1080 £255
    28 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £1090 £255
    29 Aug - 2 Oct 2022 £1080 £255
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £30

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person in 2021 or add £84 per person in 2022

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 09 April 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 09 April 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    9 - 30 Apr 2021 £1145 £225
    1 - 21 May 2021 £1175 £225
    22 May - 27 Jun 2021 £1240 £240
    28 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £1255 £240
    29 Aug - 30 Sep 2021 £1240 £240
    1 - 4 Oct 2021 £1145 £225
    9 - 30 Apr 2022 £1190 £240
    1 - 21 May 2022 £1235 £240
    22 May - 27 Jun 2022 £1290 £255
    28 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £1295 £255
    29 Aug - 2 Oct 2022 £1290 £255
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £30

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet International to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person in 2021 or add £84 per person in 2022

    Included travel: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Souillac (Intercité), approx duration 9h out/9h20 home & taxi transfer (0h05).
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights: 09 April 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 09 April 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    9 - 30 Apr 2021 £1025 £225
    1 - 21 May 2021 £1045 £225
    22 May - 27 Jun 2021 £1110 £240
    28 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £1125 £240
    29 Aug - 30 Sep 2021 £1110 £240
    1 - 4 Oct 2021 £1025 £225
    9 - 30 Apr 2022 £1080 £240
    1 - 21 May 2022 £1095 £240
    22 May - 27 Jun 2022 £1170 £255
    28 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £1185 £255
    29 Aug - 2 Oct 2022 £1170 £255
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £90

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus a return ferry crossing between Dover and Calais with P&O Ferries for your party and one car.

    > More information about travelling self-drive

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person in 2021 or add £84 per person in 2022

    A supplement of £35 per car per single journey applies for outward travel on 26-28 March & 2-4 April 2021, and for homeward travel on 4-5 & 10-11 April 2021. A supplement of £56 per car per single journey applies outward on Fridays & Saturdays 28-29 May & 9 July-14 August 2021 and homeward on Saturdays & Sundays 5-6 June & 17 July-29 August 2021. Supplements also apply at peak times in 2022; please contact us for details.

  • 7 nights, staying at Pont de l'Ouysse: 10 April 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 09 April 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day except Wed & Thu | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    10 - 30 Apr 2021 £1135 £245
    1 - 21 May 2021 £1155 £245
    22 May - 10 Jun 2021 £1225 £270
    11 Jun - 11 Sep 2021 £1280 £270
    12 - 30 Sep 2021 £1225 £270
    1 - 4 Oct 2021 £1135 £245
    9 - 30 Apr 2022 £1195 £260
    1 - 21 May 2022 £1215 £260
    22 May - 10 Jun 2022 £1290 £285
    11 Jun - 11 Sep 2022 £1345 £285
    12 Sep - 2 Oct 2022 £1290 £285
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £30

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person in 2021 or add £84 per person in 2022

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights, staying at Pont de l'Ouysse: 10 April 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 09 April 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day except Wed & Thu | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    10 - 30 Apr 2021 £1325 £245
    1 - 21 May 2021 £1345 £245
    22 May - 10 Jun 2021 £1415 £270
    11 Jun - 11 Sep 2021 £1475 £270
    12 - 30 Sep 2021 £1415 £270
    1 - 4 Oct 2021 £1325 £245
    9 - 30 Apr 2022 £1395 £260
    1 - 21 May 2022 £1415 £260
    22 May - 10 Jun 2022 £1490 £285
    11 Jun - 11 Sep 2022 £1545 £285
    12 Sep - 2 Oct 2022 £1490 £285
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £30

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet International to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person in 2021 or add £84 per person in 2022

    Included travel: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Souillac (Intercité), approx duration 9h out/9h20 home & taxi transfer (0h05).
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights, staying at Pont de l'Ouysse: 10 April 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 09 April 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day except Wed & Thu | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    10 - 30 Apr 2021 £1198 £245
    1 - 21 May 2021 £1220 £245
    22 May - 10 Jun 2021 £1285 £270
    11 Jun - 11 Sep 2021 £1345 £270
    12 - 30 Sep 2021 £1285 £270
    1 - 4 Oct 2021 £1198 £245
    9 - 30 Apr 2022 £1260 £260
    1 - 21 May 2022 £1285 £260
    22 May - 10 Jun 2022 £1345 £285
    11 Jun - 11 Sep 2022 £1415 £285
    12 Sep - 2 Oct 2022 £1350 £285
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £90

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus a return ferry crossing between Dover and Calais with P&O Ferries for your party and one car.

    > More information about travelling self-drive

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person in 2021 or add £84 per person in 2022

    A supplement of £35 per car per single journey applies for outward travel on 26-28 March & 2-4 April 2021, and for homeward travel on 4-5 & 10-11 April 2021. A supplement of £56 per car per single journey applies outward on Fridays & Saturdays 28-29 May & 9 July-14 August 2021 and homeward on Saturdays & Sundays 5-6 June & 17 July-29 August 2021. Supplements also apply at peak times in 2022; please contact us for details.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £12pp per day in 2021, £14pp per day in £2022.
    Hotel le Troubadour, Hospitalet de Rocamadour (with dinner) Double room Single room
    09 Apr - 31 May 2021 £118 £158
    01 Jun - 30 Sep 2021 £130 £175
    01 Oct - 11 Oct 2021 £118 £158
    09 Apr - 31 May 2022 £124 £166
    01 Jun - 30 Sep 2022 £138 £186
    01 Oct - 09 Oct 2022 £124 £166

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £12pp per day in 2021, £14pp per day in £2022.
    Hotel le Troubadour, Hospitalet de Rocamadour (with dinner) Double room Single room
    10 Apr - 31 May 2021 £118 £158
    01 Jun - 30 Sep 2021 £130 £175
    01 Oct - 11 Oct 2021 £118 £158
    09 Apr - 31 May 2022 £124 £166
    01 Jun - 30 Sep 2022 £138 £186
    01 Oct - 09 Oct 2022 £124 £166
    Hotel le Pont de l'Ouysse, Lacave (with dinner) Double room Single room
    10 Apr - 15 Jun 2021 £170 £196
    16 Jun - 15 Sep 2021 £190 £216
    16 Sep - 11 Oct 2021 £170 £196
    09 Apr - 15 Jun 2022 £178 £206
    16 Jun - 15 Sep 2022 £200 £228
    16 Sep - 09 Oct 2022 £178 £206
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Toulouse, Brive Vallée de la Dordogne, Limoges or Paris CDG
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Aberdeen - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Paris CDG Air France 
    Birmingham - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Limoges Ryanair 
    Bristol - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Bristol - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Limoges Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse Ryanair 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse (via Amsterdam) Air France 
    Edinburgh - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Limoges Ryanair 
    Leeds Bradford - Paris CDG jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Liverpool - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Gatwick - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Paris CDG British Airways 
    Heathrow - Toulouse British Airways 
    Heathrow - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Heathrow - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Toulouse easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Brive Vallée de la Dordogne Ryanair 
    Stansted - Limoges Ryanair 
    Stansted - Toulouse Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Limoges Ryanair 
    Manchester - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Manchester - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Newcastle - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Toulouse (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Teesside International - Toulouse (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above except those operated by Ryanair. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service (£60 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Toulouse

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Toulouse-Matabiau to Souillac (2h), taxi Souillac to hotel (0h05) £29 in 2021; £30 in 2022 Sun-Fri 1500, Sat 1400
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to Souillac (0h05), rail Souillac to Toulouse-Matabiau (2h) £29 in 2021; £30 in 2022 Mon-Sat 1300, Sun 1400

    Connecting travel options - flying via Brive

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Brive airport to hotel (0h25) £23 in 2021; £25 in 2022 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Brive airport (0h25) £23 in 2021; £25 in 2022 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Limoges

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Limoges Benedictins to Brive (1h-1h20), taxi Brive to hotel (0h30) £58 in 2021; £60 in 2022 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Brive (1h), rail Brive to Limoges Benedictins (1h-1h20) £58 in 2021; £60 in 2022 1200

    Connecting travel options - flying via Paris

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    RER from CDG airport to Paris Austerlitz (0h45), rail Paris Austerlitz to Brive (4h20), taxi Brive to hotel (0h30) £90 in 2021; £95 in 2022 1045
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Brive (1h), rail Brive to Paris Austerlitz (4h20), RER from Paris Austerlitz to CDG airport (0h45) £90 in 2021; £95 in 2022 1600
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • high-quality bicycle
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 13 reviews
  • Mr D Archer
    Cranbrook
    27 September 2019

    We had an amazing cycling holiday in the outstandingly beautiful Dordogne region. All of the hotels en route were excellent and the standard of the cuisine could not be faulted. We particularly enjoyed the opportunity of being able to socialize and eat with our hosts at Domaine de la Vaysse. We would certainly recommend this holiday and will definitely be returning again in the future.

  • Ms D Black
    Australia
    19 September 2019

    Inntravel’s preparation and planning for our bike ride in the Dordogne Valley, showed they were aware of the range of needs and interests their clients might have. We found the possible trips had some flexibility for both the weather and our varying physical abilities throughout the trip. We were provided sufficient time to explore very interesting sites. The only problem was that we ended up eating too much as most of the food provided at our places of stay was of such a high quality.

  • Mrs H Whitehead
    Southampton
    04 September 2019

    We thought we would be near to the River more often but also loved the forests, trees and views. Surprised there were so few animals to see. Loved the Moulin de Cougnanuet and the guided tour. Enjoyed the camaraderie of Domaine de la Vaysse and meeting other travellers. The food is excellent though you have to like French cuisine (doh!) as very few vegetables and lots of duck in one shape or form. Some great desserts. Only spent about 15 mins on Rocamadour - too touristy - but the view of it was great. Surprised that a lot of things seemed to be closing down early even though it wasn't even mid-September. But it meant few people about. Might want to add in that if the Gluges hotel/restaurant is closed, the camp site had a really handy cafe and good places to sit by the river. We used our extra day to go to Figeac on the train and that was interesting. The Gouffre de Padirac were worth doing and we only waited about half an hour to go in.

  • Mr S Gomersall
    Kenilworth
    25 August 2019

    The Dordogne is a beautiful area to cycle in although there were a few more challenging (more from length than incline) hills than expected. We also didn't see as much of the Dordogne river as we had hoped. However, the routes were sufficiently long to enjoy the cycling but left a good amount of time on completion to enjoy some relaxation. We enjoyed the swimming pools at the end of each day. We found it better and much easier to use the GPS route finder than the written maps. We booked an e-bike for my wife which she enjoyed and without which, as a purely social cyclist, she would have struggled in the hot weather. The food in the hotels was generally very good. Overall, the whole experience was most enjoyable and we would do something similar again but perhaps at a cooler time of year and on a flatter route.

  • Mr S Newsome
    London
    24 August 2019

    Looking out from the pool at Relais de Castelnau after an enjoyable day's ride; looking at the stars through the telescope at Hotel Troubadour; enjoying home made food in Vaysse and its welcoming hosts.

  • Mr E De Waal
    Canada
    11 August 2019

    We had a wonderful time in the Dordogne area. Our accommodation and meals were excellent. The cycling exposed us to many small villages and oak forests providing a means to reduce the impact of all those great meals! Thank you Inntravel!

  • Mrs H Diamond
    Weston-super-mare
    04 July 2019

    Cycling around the Dordogne - what a perfect way to see the outstanding beauty of the Dordogne. Cycling along very quiet country lanes and through picturesque hamlets was just ideal. The bikes were perfect for the hills and our luggage was always at the next hotel on arrival. The cycling notes were great with little notes on telling us where to shop for lunch and stop for drinks or icecreams or places of interest. Everything worked perfectly from transfers to cycling and would highly recommend it.

  • Mr D Stalker
    Kilmarnock
    17 May 2019

    The complimentary bottle of wine left at out first hotel for our 30th wedding anniversary was a thoughful and appreciated touch (many thanks for this Inntravel team). The GPX files are fab and a lot easier than using a paper map. On the route from La Vieille Auberge to Sarlat [the optional add-on] there are water gardens (300m from cycle path to Sarlat we were following). They are not mentioned in your documents but they are very lovely.

  • Dora
    01 May 2019

    Another lovely holiday with Inntravel which was a tailored mix of cycling and walking over ten days with stays at La Vieille Auberge, Le Troubadour, Relais de Castelnau and Relais Sainte Anne at Martel. Hotels and hotel food was all good. We appreciated having three days at Le Troubadour and four at Ste Anne which allowed us to settle and relax a bit. Pools were open but too cold to use sadly. The weather was a bit chilly for May - one day there was frost on the lawn at 8.30am. The villages and towns of the Dordogne are wonderful as are the river and its bridges, with little chateaux and manoirs everywhere, a very medieval feel and pleasing roof shapes. Many of the dwellings were shuttered and the depopulation which characterises parts of rural France was evident. Despite this - and it being early in the tourist season - most places could support a small cafe or bar! Wonderful forests of oak trees, nut trees, full of birds and beautiful flowers. We didn't have ebikes, are fit 60 year olds (who nevertheless don't cycle normally) and we found the shortish distances with the hilly bits absolutely fine - we returned tired on some days (having pushed bikes up some hills) but fine. We found open cash points at Souillac, Hospitalet, and Martel.

    Our highlights and observations in no particular order: Automata museum at Souillac; having tea and coffee making facilities in our rooms at La Vieille Auberge; food everywhere (although the absence of vegetables or even salads makes us wonder how the French are getting their 'five a day'); having picnics; visit to the mill on day one from Souillac to Rocamadour; walk down the gorge to Rocamadour (nb - there are picnic spots with views just past the mill on the other side of the valley); Rignac (cafe there was closed sadly); we had a good value meal at Les Coeurs Gourmands (yummy cassoulet) at Gramat (the convent gardens aren't really there anymore); the insect museum at Padirac was closed; Martel - it is less sleepy and obviously has a vibrant local population and we visited a brocante market, saw a VE Day procession and appreciated the range of different shops there); steam train journey at Martel; the walk via the Apothecary Path to Gluges (we had coffee at the otherwise very sleepy Hotel Les Falaises); circular walk along the Rocs de Monge near St Sozy to Blazinguet and back which is not an Inntravel route but you can follow it on the map (beware - the start of the path out of St Sozy/La Curade climbs up the hillside along a very steep and narrow path which involves scrambling with steep but wooded drop to one side and one of our party really did not like this and would not do again); seeing deer; hearing what sounded like wolves in the forest; having tea at the fish farm outside Souillac. 

  • Mrs K Morgan
    Northampton
    14 September 2018

    One of the best holidays we have had. The routes were excellent with the attention to detail second to none. Wonderful accommodation which we would never have found ourselves, highly recommended.

  • Anon
    11 September 2018

    Each of the hotels had a different style, which was interesting. The Domaine de la Vaysse was like the early Inntravel style stopovers....eating with the family....enjoyable for two nights. The E-bikes make the hills less challenging, and open up a new range of holidays, which we thought we were becoming too old to enjoy. If we are fit to do a holiday next year, we could increase the daily mileage easily, if this is an available option. I cannot think of any way you can improve a most enjoyable holiday, it included interesting locations, had good food, pleasant and helpful hosts.

  • Dr S Murray
    Yelverton
    08 September 2018

    We had a wonderful week. We opted for e-bikes which was a good decision as the weather was very hot and the hills were significant up onto the limestone plateau. It was the first time we had used them and there will be no going back! We are all fairly fit 60 somethings but they really made the cycling a pleasure and were so easy to use. 

    The area is beautiful and was quiet in September. We enjoyed our visit to the mill on the first day and the caves at Padirac were stunning. Rocamadour is a splendid sight and the old medieval towns like Martel were lovely. Your route plans and information pages were perfect. 

    Accommodation wise we were probably spoiled by last year’s trip to the Loire. The start and finish hotel at Souillac was fine but not as nice as the wonderful Hotel de Biencourt in Azay-Le-Rideau which we loved. They were however very helpful in organising us a few hours in Sarlat on our last day as we had a late flight home from Bergerac and in explaining our bikes to us and setting us on our way. The Hotel Le Troubadour was excellent, again with wonderful staff and delicious food. We were glad to have two nights there and wished we could have had two at the next hotel, the Relais de Castelnau, with its stunning views and superb pool and restaurant terrace. Again, delicious food. We didn’t really enjoy the two nights at the Chambre d’hote at la Vaysse. One night would have been fine; and it was nice to speak a bit of French, but the evening meals were a bit awkward and we felt rather under pressure not to offend our hosts. They made a lot of effort and meant well but the food wasn’t great and the set up just didn’t suit us. In retrospect we should have upgraded to the Lacave hotel but we didn‘t necessarily want Michelin starred cuisine, just somewhere simple but good. Maybe a small hotel in Martel would be better? We had a stand out lunch there the next day at Le Petit Moulin and we enjoyed the train ride along the disused line at the top of the plateau. 

    Overall it was a great week and we absolutely loved the cycling. We were reluctant to hand our bikes back at the end of the holiday!

     

     

  • Mrs R Oldfield
    Bakewell
    28 July 2018

    We all thoroughly enjoyed the holiday the quality of the food far outweighed our expectations. I would recommend the extension to Sarlat a wonderful medieval town. 

    The weather was extremely hot when we were in the Dordogne air conditioning at some of the hotels was a bonus and enabled us too have a good nights sleep because of the extreme heat 38c we didn’t cycle on the last day. Having a swimming pool at all of the hotels was a refreshing welcome.

    We all enjoyed cycling through the small picturesque French villages and the opportunity to swim in the Dordogne not as cold as I expected. If you plan to visit the caves at Padirac I advise getting an e ticket as the queues are very long to get a timed ticket during the the high season.

    I would recommend this holiday and we are planning to take another cycling holiday with Inntravel next year.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • If your holiday plans go awry because of Coronavirus, rest assured that we’ll do right by you. Since the start of the pandemic, our flexible booking policy and prompt issuing of refunds to customers who prefer not to defer their holiday have earned us high praise in the national press.
  • We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – cycling holidays are ideal in these times of social distancing, and we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety, not least taking tests before and after your holiday for many destinations.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
    Entry requirements for non-UK destinations & for re-entering the UK >
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a hybrid bike with 24 gears; a waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking.
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be hired locally for a small fee. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes, which remain the principal means of navigation).
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.
  • Bike insurance is not included in the price of our cycling holidays, and unfortunately we can't supply such insurance. Some general travel insurance policies can or do provide cover for rented bikes, so it's worth seeing if your policy is one of these. The most important thing is to ensure that you take good care of your bike (you are responsible for damage to or loss of it while it is hired to you), always being careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and removing all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines (but not, currently, with Ryanair). As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe, there’s a £35 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £60 per person. More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out our recommended travel insurance policy (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa. If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.

    At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 7/25/2021 12:32:07 PM