Dordogne self guided motorcycle holiday

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, the Dordogne self-guided motorcycle-tour continues. In general, it will be a quiet day in the saddle. It is also a shorter distance ride, so at a glance, it looks like there isn’t much to brag about. However, this is precisely the beauty of touring in France. This is one of the very few countries left in Europe where we still can experience empty roads and biking solitude. There will be no motorways today.

So you’ll be able to wiggle your way through some of the most eye-pleasing countrysides, stopping as often as you wish. Montbard is a quiet riverside town with a shopping street, a couple of churches and several cafes and restaurants. It is a perfect spot for a little break. Also, just a bit further down the road is Semur-en-Auxois. It is another typical provincial town with cobbled streets and a big church in the centre. But it has several cafes as well as restaurants that are usually open during lunchtime. Your final destination for today is Chalon Sur Saone.

It has a lively town centre with many shops, cafes and restaurants as well as a relaxed rhythm of life. Your hotel is located near the town centre and will welcome you with a comfortable room and a gourmet evening meal.

In contrast with the previous day, today is kind of ‘no messing about’ day. It is a long ride, so an early breakfast and departure are recommended. The easiest and fastest way to traverse to Dordogne is to use the motorways.

For the next four nights, you’ll be staying in one of the most beautiful towns in Dordogne. Sarlat La Caneda is a gastronomic centre, and the whole region is mainly well known for foie gras and truffles. Sarlat is listed as a Town of Art and History. It has charming medieval streets and picturesque squares attracting thousands of visitors.

In addition to its splendid architectural heritage, the town draws in crowds of foodies with its multiple markets, shops and restaurants putting on a fabulous spread of delicious local specialities. Within a short walk from your comfortable hotel, you’ll be able to explore, touch, taste, drink and smell all of the delights that this wonderful town has on offer. 

Our first suggested day ride will take you to the spectacular town of Rocamadour. Among all the places to visit in the Dordogne Valley, it is thought to be where miracles used to happen…With its dramatic cliff-side setting, it is one of those ‘hard to believe – never to forget’ places.

Built on several successive levels, Rocamadour is a place of pilgrimage, legend and history. Here old stone houses, majestic towers and a castle appear to cascade off the cliff into the steep canyon. The main street has several charming restaurants and quirky boutiques, so you can spend a good few hours exploring. There is some walking involved from the car park to the village.

So please make sure that you have some space in your panniers to store your surplus biking gear. From here, along some quiet D-roads, you’ll head towards the villages of Couzou and Gourdon and back to your hotel. If you still have some spare time on your hands, you can extend your ride to Domme. It is a stunning medieval hilltop village offering the most spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. This is just over a 100-mile circular ride, so you should have enough time to relax and get ready for your evening meal.

Today is about the halfway point of your Dordogne self-guided motorcycle-tour. It’s also your second day off, so feel free to arrange your own agenda. Alternatively, you can opt to follow our suggested daily itinerary. This is another circular ride that’ll zig-zag and criss-cross through the Eastern side of the Dordogne Valley.

Your target destination is the medieval hamlet of Collonges-la-Rouge. It is straight out of a fairytale. Its turreted houses, built entirely of blazing red sandstone, appear to emerge straight from the valley’s green pastures. Narrow alleyways wind between stone walls and ancient cottages. The red stone buildings are draped with greenery, flower pots and clusters of grapes. Built on a gentle incline in the midst of walnut groves, this village conjures the quintessential image of the idyllic French rural scene. There are also several restaurants and cafes for lunch and drinks.

The whole place has a strong resemblance to the Cotswolds. So if you are familiar with this part of the UK, you might feel at home. Continuing with your ride, you’ll head towards Lac Du Causse, loop it around Cavagnac and return to the hotel.

This is your last day off in Dordogne, so you might prefer to park your bike and relax. However, if you are up for another ride, we have two suggested day trips for you to choose from. The first one is a straight in-and-out ride. It will take you to the magnificent 103m deep and 10,000 years old Gouffre de Padirac caves.

Here you’ll descend 75m below ground and board a boat. It then will take you through the fantastical galleries decorated with impressive stalactites and stalactites. The cave temperature is quite low, around 13°C. So don’t forget to take some comfortable, warm clothes.
On the other hand, if you fancy a challenge, the second option might appeal to you more. The ‘Magnificent Seven’ challenge is to plot the circular route that will include seven beautiful Châteaux and castles.

Your task will be to take a photo of each one and, if you wish to publish it on social media. Here is the list of the suggested waypoints; Château de Rouffillac, Castle Lacypierre, Castle Sauveboeuf, Château de l’Herm, Château de Campagne, Château des Milandes and Château de Puymartin. If you do not fancy paying the entrance fees, take a photo from the outside or just a sign.

Providing that your GPS doesn’t go into a strop should be a motorway free ride towards your next destination. Blois is located on the banks of the river Loire in the heart of the Loire Valley.

Your hotel is only a short walk from the centre. So before your evening meal, you can take a stroll to the old town and admire its elegant buildings. En route to Blois, you will pass through the Périgord-Limousin Natural Regional Park and Le Brenne Nature Park.

Popular and convenient places to stop for a break are Rochechouart and Le Blanc. However, there are many other villages and towns along the route to pick from. Take your time and enjoy the ride.

Following an early breakfast, you will take a motorway ride to Calis for the afternoon crossing back to the UK. This is a fantastic motorcycle journey that should stick in your memory for a long time. 

Thank you for joining our Dordogne self-guided motorcycle-tour and RidingWithUs. 

We hope to hear from you again soon.