Treasures of the Périgord Noir

Moderate. The stages present no technical difficulties, but you do need to be fit. There are some climbs and gentle gradients, but overall the route is straightforward and suitable for everyone, including those who do not usually go cycle touring. We offer two difficulty levels for the same stages; if you choose the harder stages, the trip is closer to 3/5 in terms of difficulty. We recommend an electric bike.

You carry only what you need for the day, including your lunch, in a small backpack or pannier.
Your luggage will be waiting for you in the evening at your hotel or guesthouse: your personal belongings must be packed in a single bag, preferably a large backpack or travel bag weighing no more than 20kg.

From 1 person (solo traveller price)

6 days, 5 nights, 4 days of cycling.

Choose your departure date from April to the end of October.

We provide a comprehensive travel pack with a route guide and route maps. A GPX track and smartphone app are available on request.

Accommodation

You stay in *** hotels

Hotel ratings

In France, more and more hotels and guesthouses are choosing not to have an official rating, including establishments that were still rated a year or two ago. This does not mean their quality has declined—far from it. Many guesthouses offer charming accommodation.
If we indicate, for example, a comfort level of “3* or equivalent”: this means that the establishment does not necessarily have an official rating, but offers comfort comparable to that of a 3* hotel.

Meals

Your stay includes bed and breakfast. You are free to choose where to have dinner, which is not included in the price of the stay. Périgord is a renowned centre of French gastronomy, and you will find plenty of restaurants for dinner in the towns and villages along the route.
Please let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Start

On Day 1 in the afternoon in Sarlat

Finish

On Day 6 after breakfast in Souillac

Bike hire

• Mid-range hybrid bike hire (with helmet + pannier + repair kit)
• E-bike hire also available

By train

Paris – Sarlat via Bordeaux or Souillac. An onward transfer by car is available (see the prices section). Check timetables on the website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/

By car

From Paris or Toulouse, take the A20 and exit 55 Souillac – Sarlat. Head towards Bergerac, pass Beynac, then St Cyprien and Castels on the D25, and continue towards Meyrals, 4,4km from Castels.
You can plan your route on ViaMichelin

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim along the route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we emphasise that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; any swimming is therefore undertaken under your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips—on foot, by bike and on snow—to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As members of the board since 2018, we actively help the sector develop more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we make sure to:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and make meaningful connections with others.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification programme, recognises the practical steps we take towards responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy

For cycling:

• cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• cycling gloves
• helmet
• sunglasses (to protect against the sun, wind and midges)
• windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys

Note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. Merino wool clothing is now also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of resisting sweat odours (brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.)!
As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

For your lunchtime picnic:

• plastic bowl or plate
• cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
• one-litre water bottle (essential)
• Tupperware-style plastic container

For protection against the sun and rain:

• sunscreen and sunglasses
• hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• a windproof jacket
• a cycling rain cape or a Gore-Tex jacket

After your ride:

• a jumper or fleece
• comfortable trousers
• shorts
• a tracksuit or change of clothes
• a lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• a pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• swimwear and a beach cover-up
• spare clothes and underwear
• a toiletry bag and towel
• a small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “2nd skin”, gauze, disinfectant, arnica granules and aspirin for minor aches and injuries… (quite a list! But rest assured, your first-aid kit often comes home untouched after your week of touring)

If you bring your own bike:

• spare inner tubes
• puncture repair kit (with glue)
• pump
• 2 cycling water bottles or a CamelBak hydration pack

Always check the condition of your bike (if you are bringing your own), and replace anything that needs it: brake pads, brake and gear cables, etc.

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a small, comfortable 40-litre backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier in which you can put your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well, so you can easily carry your belongings when you stop to visit somewhere along the way.
• A bag to be transferred between overnight stops: a backpack or travel bag in good condition.

Country: France

Capital: Paris

Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

Bring your Carte Vitale health insurance card and enough of your usual medication for the duration of your stay.

French nationals must carry a valid passport or identity card.

International dialling code for France: +33.

No time difference. GMT +1.