Lot & the Dordogne Valley

What sort of weather can I expect?

Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided
with each itinerary. This is a temperate climate: fresh in the spring, warm to hot from May to August, and then crisp autumn days. There is the possibility of rain at any time, but usually this falls in short, heavy bursts - to ‘clear the air’.

What sort of cycling can I expect?

This is an 8-day holiday, with cycling offered on 5 days (6 for the superior route).

The fitness level of this cycling holiday is Grade 3 - 3+  . The route comprises mostly of very quiet country roads along the river valley and across gently rolling hills and small plateaux. Gradients when cycling out of the river valleys are well engineered, with vertical ascents of around 200m in the early part of the trip rising to about 250m towards the end.

What if I would like a break from cycling?

You can get a lift with the Route Manager to the next hotel when your bags are moved on, or we can arrange taxis and advise you of local transport options to facilitate shortening the routes.

How to do I get to the start of the route?

TRAVEL TO FRANCE

The recommended destination airports for this walking tour are Brive (flights now from London Stansted on Ryanair), Toulouse, Rodez and Limoges. With the Channel Tunnel and high-speed trains it is now also possible to travel from London St. Pancras to Gramat in approx 9 hrs. You will need to pre-book this journey.

TRAVEL TO THE FIRST HOTEL (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

Please plan your journey carefully and check it again before you travel, using the websites/phone numbers given. Please note that local trains may not carry refreshments, so purchase supplies for your journey in advance.

From Paris: Take a train going via Brive to Gramat (journey time 5 hrs). Trains leave from Gare d’Austerlitz, and you usually have to change to a local train at Brive, direction Rodez (get out of the mainline train on the RH side platform and the connecting – correspondence – train should be waiting). All trains are GL (Grandes Lignes) and though booking is not obligatory on all services, the SNCF recommend booking seats in advance as they can get quite full.

NB. Some French trains separate in two during the journey. You must check that you are on the train to Brive.

From Brive: Take a taxi from the airport (which has no direct public transport links) to the train station in Brive-la-Gaillarde (approx. 15 mins), from where there are trains to Gramat (1hr). Alternatively take a taxi from the airport direct to Gramat (1 hour, ~€90).

From Toulouse: Take a bus from the airport to the city centre. The buses depart every 20 mins, take 30 mins and drop you at the rail station (Gare SNCF). Catch a train to Gramat via Figeac (journey time 3-4  hours,  ~€32), or alternatively, take a train to Souillac (journey time 2 hrs) and then a taxi from Souillac to Gramat (30 mins, ~€75). For taxis from Gramat contact M. Herbert on +33 (0) 565 501482 mobile +33 (0) 681 601460 or M. Adgié on +33 (0) 565 388131, or call one from the list in the station forecourt.

A taxi from Toulouse airport to the first hotel costs ~€320* (journey time 2 hrs).

From Rodez: Take a taxi from the airport to the station (journey time 10 mins, approx. €20). Trains to Gramat take 1hr 40mins and cost €17-26. For the return journey to Rodez an overnight stay may be necessary if travelling by train. A taxi from Rodez airport to Gramat costs ~€160* (journey time 1.5 hours).

From Limoges: Take a taxi from the airport to the station (journey time 20 mins, approx. €20). Trains to Gramat via Brive take 2-3 hours and cost €18-30. A taxi from Limoges airport to Gramat costs ~€295* (journey time 2 hours).

*Taxi costs are 50% higher on Sundays, holidays and after 7pm.

First hotel

The Relais des Gourmands is located opposite the train station in Gramat. Tel 05 65 38 83 92.  The location is clearly indicated in the route booklet.

Taxi bookings

Please place your booking with the ATG office at least two weeks before departure. The cost of the taxi will be confirmed to you once the booking is secured. Payment of the taxi fare should be made locally, not to ATG. The driver will have your flight details and will be waiting in Arrivals with a sign showing your name or ATG.

• If you change your flight please notify us  so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule the taxi for you.

• If, on the day of departure, your flight is cancelled or you miss or change it, please immediately contact the ATG emergency number (number is provided in trip documentation) so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule or cancel the taxi for you.

• If your flight is delayed and you have arranged for the taxi to meet you at the destination airport, your taxi driver will wait for you.

• If you are delayed and you have arranged for a taxi to meet you at a non airport location (e.g. train station) it is essential that you contact your Route Manager or call the ATG emergency
line to notify us at the earliest possible moment, so we can contact the taxi company to re-schedule or cancel the taxi for you.

• Please note that failure to advise ATG that you cannot meet the taxi booked for you, may result in the taxi costs being passed back to you.

Important: Taxi prices quoted apply to the local firm used regularly by ATG – and are guaranteed only if you book through the office in advance. If you get a taxi off a taxi rank please ask the driver to confirm the price for the journey before departing.

Where can I leave my car if I drive to the route?

In St Céré there is parking in the main square free of charge or at the Trois Soleils for €50. A taxi between St Céré and Gramat will be approx €32 (€41 after 7am-7pm) with a 50% supplement at weekends and Bank Holidays.

What should I bring?

For cycling we recommend bringing a hard helmet, cycling shorts, gloves and shoes (or trainers); and a small daypack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. (which you can put in your pannier); and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual. Some trips include quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’ in the evening, however on Independent trips you have more flexibility in determining how casual you wish to be. For a comprehensive packing list click here: what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

The region has a reputation for extremely fine food and produces some gastronomic specialities, which rank high on the list of France’s culinary accolades. It has a strong association with confits (poultry preserved in fat) which are the traditional bases of Quercy cooking and every kind of stuffed poultry – stuffings garnished with succulent livers, chestnuts and truffles.

Since the 15^th century, the Quercy restaurateurs and their pâtés have been famous – their most famous dish is of course the delicious goose liver pâté, foie gras, and their food tends to be rich, using mainly local products. Delicious sauces are made of truffles (Périgueux sauce), cêpes (a wild mush­room: Boletus edulis, or the Italian porcino) and walnuts.

And wine?

On this trip you can try a selection of the local wines, notably the red and white wines of the Bergerac vineyards, famous in Gallo-Roman times, particularly the fragrant white wine, Montbazillac. You can also try a selection of the Bordeaux wines and some full-bodied reds from the Cahors region.

Several of the independent routes pass through well-known wine producing regions, with opportunities for wine tasting along the route. If you are particularly interested in wine in addition to this route you may like to consider...

• Classic Alsace

• Provence: Vaucluse & the Lubéron

• Siena to Florence

• Southern Tuscany

• Ancient Volcanic Landscapes

• Tuscany & Siena

• Tuscan Hills

• Roman Roads to Orvieto

• Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

• Umbria & Assisi

• Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a wide range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘contenental’ affair – i.e. bread, croissant, juice, coffee.

Lunch

The ATG Route Booklets and our ‘Sustainable Shopping Guides’ are filled with information about markets and shops in which to buy your lunch. From seasonal fruits, local cheeses, cured hams and freshly baked breads, you are limited only by what you can carry in your pack!

Dinner

On some routes, usually where there is no other
restaurant within walking distance, half-board accommodation is
included (see ‘what is included’ for this trip). In other areas where there is a selection of restaurants, ATG includes a list of recommendations in your ATG Route Booklet. Some restaurants are recommended because they have provided meals that have been regularly enjoyed by ATG clients; other restaurants are renowned internationally (e.g., within the Guide Michelin).

Restaurant bookings

Your Route Manager will be delighted to book restaurants for you if required, ensuring the places you eat at are...

•Your first choice

•The highest standard

• The best value

...and you are not disappointed by finding the restaurant full.

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our routes due to the wide variety of shops and restaurants available. Your Route Manager will provide you with advice and recommendations at your briefing.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

There is no need to dress up for most restaurants, but if you decide to treat yourself to a smart, expensive one, men may want to wear a jacket and ladies, a skirt, dress or smart trousers.

Do the hotels have WIFI, hair dryers, laundry service?

All have WIFI and hair dryers; most offer laundry service.

How much should I budget for items not included?

You can get an idea of transport costs in the ‘getting there’ section of
the trip page. For lunches, costs will depend on whether you choose to buy picnic items or eat in bars/restaurants. Dinners: some are included (see ‘what’s included’). For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. Entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs will vary considerably depending on how much you want to see and how old you are (!). Over 60s enjoy significantly reduced prices at many attractions, so it is worth carrying (safely) some form of identification showing your age. Other costs are items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to limit your walking with public transport or taxis.

What if I want to extend my trip?

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here