We are about to embark on our sixth European biking trip this century. This will be our fifth to France since 2016. This trip we will revisit two of our previous favorites: the eastern Dordogne, and Provence. 

Our itinerary (44 nights) will be:

02 Sept: Denver to Frankfurt - overnight flight

03 Sept: Frankfurt to Toulouse - morning flight then drive to Castelnaud 

03 – 24 Sept: Location 1 - Castelnaud, Dordogne (21 Nights)

24 Sept – 15 Oct.: Location 2 - Sablet, Provence (21 Nights)

15 Oct: - Toulouse  (1 Night)

16 Oct: Toulouse to Frankfort, Frankfort to Denver - Home

Our first location is in the eastern side of the Dordogne valley where we spent one week in 2023. Castelnaud-la-chapelle is nestled along the river at the base of a towering hillside where the castel is perched. Getting to the castle is a grueling climb which we navigated by car last year on a rain day. Unfortunately it was engulfed in clouds so we saw little of the actual castle or commanding view. Our AirBNB is down at river level a short walk to the town and boulangerie and restaurants and great starting point for our rides from home. 
The second location is in Provence not far from our previous visit in 2016. Sablet is a typical French countryside town and the house is less than 1 KM from shops, restaurants, and the essential boulangerie and patisserie. This is a more traditional French weekend retreat owned by a family from Lyon. It is on a quiet road with lovely gardens and swimming pool - which is a must for the hot summers in Provence. Not as important in mid-fall in southern France.