Overview of our Cro Magnon Cycling Holiday in France
From the culinary capital of Lyon to the wine mecca of Bordeaux this tour meshes remarkable pre-historic sites with a gastronomic odyssey across southern France. This is our only single country Epic but is also defined by a remarkable diversity of cuisine, landscapes, and history along the route.
Our Cro Magnon bike trip through France takes us on a journey into prehistory as we join the dots between the cave art of Cro Magnon. Cro-Magnon refers to the population of early Homo sapiens dating from the Upper Paleolithic Period (c. 40,000 to c. 10,000 years ago) in Europe and provides the primary focus for this tour. We start at the Chauvet cave in the Ardeche region; its painting has been carbon-dated to 32,000 years ago. From here we head south along the Rhone River and through Provence and the Languedoc as we head to the ‘capital’ of prehistory – Les Eyzies-de-Tayac in the Dordogne. It was here that Édouard Lartet discovered the five archaeological layers in a shallow cave that demonstrated the evolutionary path of mankind. Rouffignac with it’s mammoth, Font de Gaume and Cap Blanc are just three of the amazing cave sites that we’ll visit here. If you would prefer a cycling tour with a broader focus, you may prefer to browse our range of European Cycling Tours or perhaps head further afield to our Cycling Tours in the US.
We then cycle westwards to perhaps the best-known cave site at Lascaux (images from which are shown below). Discovered by four teenagers in 1940, this site is considered by many to be the most impressive example of pre-historic cave art. The original cave is now closed to the public due to the damaging impact of carbon dioxide in human breath but the replica that is situated on the same site is a wonderful representation in its own right.
Further highlights of this cycling holiday in France include a meeting with Monsieur Begouen who owns the Grotte des 3 Frères and a visit to the Gargas cave that is otherwise known as the ‘Hands Cave’. Our trip specialist – Vincent Reboul – has spent years planning this tour and has a network of contacts at all of these cave sites that adds an extra immersive dimension to the tour experience.
Team Members on this Tour
Vincent Reboul - Guide
First cycling memory:
The 35km distance between my parents house and grandparents farm in rural Burgundy when I was 7 . At this age 35km is an expedition - my first Epic!
Favourite bike:
I'm a bit of a bike tragic so go with the horses for courses approach so here goes -Road bike : Stiff - I really like the geometry of these bikes; Travel Bike : a classic Surley Long Haul Trucker. What a bike!; Gravel bike : a Kona , Iconic. I'm really enjoying getting off the beaten track with this bike.
Top climb:
In Corsica - Piana to Col de Sevi and back to the sea to Sagone : an amazing climb followed by 1000 m down hill , one shot , no cars only watch out for the wild pigs along the side of the road!
One thing on your bucket list:
Gaspé peninsula in Peru by bike. I think Peru could well become the new 'in' cycling destination in the coming years. I've also always dreamed of running a tour that embraces my passion for prehistory. The Cro Magnon tour will allow me to tick that one off though!
A special skill you bring on tour:
Spontaneity , eclecticism , passion for life , experience , open mind, and a SMILE
Favourite Ride and Seek tour gastronomic experience:
Catalan tapas on the second day of the Hannibal tour
Languages:
French, English and passable Spanish
Ride and Seek tours you lead:
Hannibal, 3 Islands, Cro Magnon
Enrico Casini - Guide & Mechanic
First cycling memory:
When I was 4 years old, just after I got my first bike – a little bright blue folding Graziella Bicycle with side-wheels – my parents took me to the big square nearby our place. I do not remember how many hours it took, but I will never forget the first time I felt the limitless pleasure of cycling : freedom on wheels.
Favourite bike:
The Queen of the collection is a handmade steel Daccordi from the '90s. Upgraded with modern Campagnolo componentary and wheels that I personally built. Just perfect.
Top climb:
The 800m unpaved climb (average 10-11% gradient) that leads to my home. At the end of each ride it IS the top climb!
One thing on your bucket list:
To ride all around the Mediterranean Coast. I hope to see in my life time when all the nations that share the shores of the Mare Nostrum will share peace and friendship as well.
A special skill you bring on tour:
My mechanical knowledge and the attention that goes into creating every single day of a tour - these are my words. Sincere smile, natural empathy and infinite patience – these are guest's words.
Favourite Ride and Seek tour gastronomic experience:
Corsican Delicatessen, Sardinian Culurgiones , Sicilian Cassata & gelato.
Languages:
Italian, English a bit of Spanish.
Ride and Seek tours you lead:
The 3 Islands Epic
Colette Saunders - Soigneur
Colette hails from the city of Preston in the north west of England. A mother of 3 adult children and master of many trades, including finger print expert, ambulance driver and funeral celebrant, her sunny disposition and can-do attitude is a great asset to any tour she is on. With a passion for fine food and a masters in sports massage therapy – Active IQ Level 3 Certificate – her soigneur skills are second to none.
First cycling memory:
Sitting on my brother’s handlebars because I was too small to cycle on my own.
Favourite bike:
The one I found playing hide and seek. I stumbled across it the day before my 7th birthday. I never told mum and dad I’d seen it. It was blue and I loved it. Nowadays I am more partial to my Lynskey Sportive.
Top climb:
Only done one col. Will Mont Ventoux suffice?
One thing on your bucket list:
Have cycled in Cuba, Vietnam and Cambodia. Have cycled from the Eiffel Tower to Blackpool Tower which was less exotic! My favourite ride was to cycle the length of Great Britain, from John O’Groats to Land’s End. Maybe a ride across America could be my next ambition.
A special skill you bring on tour:
Everyone loves a massage don’t they? I’m your girl. I’m also a people person. I love to meet new people and to get to know them.
Favourite Ride and Seek tour gastronomic experience:
As a bonafide Francophile I love the cuisine of Provence.
Languages:
Schoolgirl French and Lancashire. Other than that I find communication is easy with a smile.
Ride and Seek tours you lead:
Mallorca, Provence, Hannibal & Napoleon
Cro Magnon Bike Tour Highlights
• Savour the culinary credentials of the exciting city of Lyon
• Cycle down the majestic Rhone Valley
• View the amazing figurative images of the Chauvet cave
• Canoe through the spectacular Gorges de l’Ardèche
• Cross the wild and enchanting Cevennes region
• Discover the gigantic spotted horses of the Pech Merle cave
• Explore Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – one of France’s ‘most beautiful villages’.
• Savour the amazing Wednesday market in Sarlat
• Visit the extraordinary replica of the Lascaux cave
• Stay in the enchanting town of Bergerac
• Sample the delights of the wonderful Monbazillac wine
• View the remarkable Gargas cave which is known as the ‘hands cave’
• Cycle the road less travelled through the Dordogne region
• Celebrate the end of our tour in St Emilion and Bordeaux
Cro Magnon Bike Tour Dates 2025
| Stage | Start Date | End Date | Days | Cost (Euros) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Lyon to Saint-Cirq Lapopie | 7th June | 18th June | 12 days / 11 nights | €5,950 |
| Stage 2: Saint-Cirq Lapopie to Bordeaux | 18th June | 26th June | 9 days / 8 nights | €4,450 |
| The Epic: Lyon to Bordeaux | 7th June | 26th June | 20 days / 19 nights | €9,900 |
All tours and individual stages are available as a custom tour for your group – contact us for details.
What’s Included?
- Accommodation in our carefully selected hotels
- Meals – hotel breakfasts, snacks en route and pre/post-ride nutrition, lunches including the famed Ride and Seek picnics, multi course group dinners with a focus on the local cuisine.*NB we include occasional independent lunches & dinners to break up the week
- Ride and Seek jersey
- Garmin 1030 use with all routes preloaded
- Ride and Seek water bottle
- Kit laundry service once a week
- Passionate, experienced and knowledgeable guides always on hand to help
Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bike hire
- Pre & post tour accommodation
Supplements
- Single supplement – Our prices are based on twin/double occupancy. If you wish to have your own room then a supplement is applicable.
Deposit
- To reserve a place on a stage of this tour we ask for a deposit of €500 (or your local currency equivalent). We also accept payment in GB£ and AU$. The final invoice will include any applicable single supplements and bike hire costs.
Cro Magnon Bike Tour Accommodation
We carefully select the places where we stay based on their personality and the hospitality of our hosts. We look to strike a balance between centrally located abodes in the towns we visit and the tranquillity that nature offers when we are in the French countryside. See below for some of the accommodation options on our Cro Magnon tour.
Hôtel Le Belvédère, Vallon Pont d’Arc
A haven of peace of tranquillity in the heart of the spectacular Gorges de l’Ardèche this abode is a great spot to explore the area and discover the amazing Chauvet cave site. The culinary skills of the hotel chef are a bit special too.
Hôtel-Spa le Saint-Cirq
Facing the village of Saint Cirq Lapopie which is on the list of France’s ‘most beautiful villages’ this hotel is a perfect base for a 2-night stay. Immersed in nature but within easy walking distance of the village, the wonderful spa facilities are the icing on the cake.
Hotel Montaigne, Sarlat
Perfectly situated to explore the medieval heart of the enchanting town of Sarlat this recently renovated hotel is a great spot for our stay in the heart of the Dordogne. With our tour set up so we can visit the iconic Wednesday market, we are delighted to have this hotel on the itinerary.
Aux Ducs de Sienne, Saint Emilion
This boutique hotel is inspired by Tuscan charm and is situated in the heart of the quaint village of Montagne. Its gastronomic restaurant and proximity to Saint Emilion make this the perfect destination to begin the celebrations for the end of our tour.
Cro Magnon Bike Tour History
Cro-Magnon is the name of a place in France where several prehistoric skeletons were found in 1868. The place in question was Les Eyzies de Tayac where we spend two nights on our tour and is commonly referred to as the capital of pre-history.
The Cro-Magnon type of prehistoric human appears to have been heavily built and fairly tall compared with the Neanderthals. The forehead was straight, with only slight ridges over the eyes, the skull long and narrow, the face short and wide and the brain large. It appears that early Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals were closely related. Cro-Magnons seem to have evolved in Africa about 120 000 years ago and spread to western Asia by 90 000 – 100 000 years ago.
They lived at the same time as the Neanderthals. European Cro-Magnon people became widespread during the Upper Palaeolithic, about 30 000 – 35 000 years ago. Compared to the Neanderthals they had a more advanced culture. They made different kinds of tools such as blade tools, scrapers (including some made for smoothing and scraping leather), and fine bone tools. They lived in caves and under rock overhangs, although they may have built stone huts.
Cro-Magnon people buried their dead like the Neanderthals, and probably had a religion: their art may have had magical or religious meaning. Cro-Magnons were the first people to carve, and sculpted engravings and statuettes of humans and animals have been found. In France and Spain, they painted different kinds of animals on the walls of their caves. They also decorated tools and weapons showing that they liked art for decoration as well as for religious reasons.
It is not known for certain when Cro-Magnons became extinct, but they probably were gradually absorbed into modern humans. Individuals with some Cro-Magnon characteristics have been found in the Mesolithic Period (8000 to 5000 BC) and the Neolithic Period (5000 to 2000 BC). Interestingly It is said that when the Canary Islands were found by the Spaniards early in the 15th century, they found people who are thought to have been of Cro-Magnon origin.
Next:
Overview
The Trip
This tour takes you on a journey into the prehistory joining the dots between the cave art of Cro-Magnon across Southern France.
Email me the Tour Overview Book Now Schedule a CallTour at a Glance
The Epic – Lyon to Bordeaux Dates: 7th to 26th June 2025
Countries: France
Number of days: 20 days
Number of stages: 1
Price: €9,900
Grading:
Stage 1 – Lyon to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie Dates: 7th to 18th June 2025
Number of days: 12 days
Price: €5,950
Grading:
Stage 2 – Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to Bordeaux Dates: 18th to 26th June 2025
Number of days: 9 days
Price: €4,450
Grading:
Grading:
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