Beautiful chateaux, famous wines and terrific food: what more do you need to experience the real France? This cycling tour centered around the Bordeaux vineyards include some of the most famous names of the area: Saint Emilion, Sauternes, Graves and many more! You will start in Bergerac, and make your way to the Entre deux Mers region and Saint Emilion. An option to discover the Medoc wines is also possible.
Discover this countryside mixed with vineyards, chateaux, and a rich inheritance of walled towns, abbeys, and medieval castles during an unforgettable cycling tour! While Bordeaux is world famous, a lesser-known part of this region is just waiting to be discovered. In the Gironde, between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, less than 13 miles south of Bordeaux lies Entre-Deux-Mers, an area brimming with vineyards.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive in Bergerac - a large town with good rail access and services. The
historic city is very picturesque and offers visits including the Maison des Vins -
for local wines. Hotel and dinner included, orientation and bike setup at 6pm at
your hotel. Dinner included. (D) In Bergerac, if time allos, you can visit La Maison des Vins, the headquarters of the Council of Wine makers of the Bergerac region.
Day 2 | Cycling Bergerac-Duras 47 km.
Start your tour by riding through the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac. In Monbazillac, take some time to visit the château and its museum dedicated to wine, where you can also taste some wines. Then, cycle on to Duras, where you spend the night in a charming hotel and sample some of the wines of the Duras appellation. Dinner included. (B, D).
Day 3 | Duras-Saint Macaire 50 km
A ride through the Entre Deux Mers region and its vineyards. Discover the charming medieval village of Saint Macaire, which used to be a rich merchant town in the Bordelais area. Overnight in a Bacchus property tonight, a special theme accommodation program where the B&B owner is a French resident that is also a wine producer. Dinner included. (B,D)
Day 4 | Saint Macaire to Cadillac 45 km
Ride through the vineyards of Cadillac and discover the sweet dessert wines of the area; with villages such as Loupiac, Monprimblanc and Ste Croix-du Mont among others. Cadillac itself is a beautiful town with its 13th century bastide, and the chateau which was built by the Duke of Epernon during the 17th century. You stay in a beautiful chateau hotel in Cadillac. Dinner on your own.(B)
Day 5 | Cadillac to Saint Emilion 43 km.
A ride to one of the most famous vineyards of
the region: Saint Emilion! Discover this World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as
the 2nd century AD. The town was named after the monk Émilion, a travelling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock there in the 8th
century. It was the monks who followed him that started up the commercial wine
production in the area. Take some time to explore this charming town and visit the Tour du Roy which dates from 1237. Dinner on your own. (B)
Day 6 | Saint Emilion to Sainte Radegonde 40 km.
Spend some additional time in the morning visiting Saint Emilion before heading towards Sainte Radegonde. On your way, you'll discover the vineyards of Pommerol, Castillon and Montravel. After a long day of biking, you'll relax in a beautiful château hotel with pool in the countryside. Dinner included. (B,D )
Day 7 | Sainte Radegonde to Bergerac. 43 km.
Ride back to Bergerac through Sainte Foy la Grande and the vineyards of Saussignac. Visit the village of Sainte Foy la Grande. Overnight in Bergerac in a 3* hotel. Dinner on your own. (B)
Day 8 | Departure after breakfast, trains from Bergerac possible. For extended nights or riding to the Medoc vineyards area, please inquire. (B)
OPTION: a 9 night variety of this tour is also possible with stops in Bordeaux, contact us for the full itinerary.
Details
The trip includes: all lodging consisting of 7 nights in charming 2,3 and 4 star hotels; all breakfast and 4 dinners, daily bag transfer, arrival orientation, road book with detailed maps and directions, optional rides for more mileage, site/visit information, emergency support. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.
[Hotels Virtual Tour]: Hotel de France, Hostellerie des Ducs, Feuilles d'Acanthe, Chateau de la Tour, Logis des Remparts, Chateau de Sanse. Upgrade in St Emilion and Bergerac possible.
Bike Rentals: [Click for image] 105 euros: Scott Sportster P3 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included. Merckx racing bikes available also see Cycling Classics for specs under Rental Bikes. LaPierre tandems also available for rent on this tour for 205 euros. See link.
Scott Sporters P3 hybrid rentals - brand new - AGAIN - and the best rental bike available in the region for 2008, certainly so for self-guided travelers!
GPS is optional on this tour and can be rented for 50 euros.
Additional Night Bergerac: 105 euros/double room including breakfast.
You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure. Upon confirmation we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists. As a customer you can also Purchase product from Hammer Nutrition, get 2 FREE issues to Velo News, and much more!
Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, sites to see and information about sites and culture of the region. We include road signs, packing lists, travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!
Optional Services:
Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.
Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions. |