Cro Magnon Tour Cycle from Lyon to Bordeaux

From charming boutiques to well-deserved comfort, our accommodations are carefully selected to reflect the unique character of each region. We favour places with a true sense of place over big chain hotels, ensuring your stay is as memorable as the ride itself. Depending on the stage, you’ll experience everything from luxurious retreats to functional stays, always selected with care to suit the journey. Below are a range of hotels we use on your tour

Hotel Les 3 Barbus in Générargues offers a unique and inviting retreat. Combining comfort and character, it’s a charming destination with a welcoming ambience, promising a memorable and relaxing stay.

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.

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.

Hotel Le Cro-Magnon, les Eyzies is a relaxed boutique hotel set in the heart of the Vézère Valley. Surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and prehistoric sites, it offers stylish accommodation, a peaceful garden setting, and a swimming pool, making it an ideal base for exploring the Dordogne region.

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.

The cuisine on this tour is one of its great pleasures, changing subtly as the landscapes change from Lyon to Bordeaux. We begin in Lyon, widely regarded as France’s gastronomic capital, where rich, hearty cooking and a deep food culture set the tone. Think classic bouchon fare, excellent cheeses, charcuterie, pâtés, quenelles, and a strong sense of regional pride around the table.

As the route heads south through the Rhône Valley, Ardèche and Cévennes, the food becomes more rustic and tied to the countryside. Seasonal produce, river fish, cured meats, olives, chestnuts, goat’s cheese, and simple dishes shaped by mountain and rural traditions.

Further west, in the Lot, Dordogne and Vézère valleys, the tour enters one of France’s most celebrated food regions. This is the land of duck, walnuts, truffles, foie gras, mushrooms, country pâtés, and beautifully prepared market produce.

In the final days, the route moves into Bergerac, Monbazillac, Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux, where wine takes centre stage alongside elegant southwestern cooking. Here, the cuisine becomes more refined but no less rooted in place, with superb local produce, memorable wine pairings, and a sense of abundance that makes the closing days of the tour feel especially celebratory.

Overall, this is a journey through some of the most rewarding food country in France, from rustic village cooking to world-class wine and gastronomy.

Set before the Romanesque basilica of Saint-Martin d’Ainay, The Artichoute offers a warm and inviting dining experience inspired by the feel of a family home. Elegant décor and thoughtful details lend a quiet sense of charm, while the terrace provides a pleasant spot for open-air dining on sunny days.

Featuring the artwork of his father, restaurant L’Unisens provides a distinctive setting where chef Tarik Mezri-Charmasson expresses his creativity through carefully composed dishes. Flavors are thoughtfully balanced, presentations refined, and a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients ensures cuisine defined by precision and authentic taste.

After a day exploring the valleys of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, Le Cro-Magnon invites you to a warm and relaxed dining experience. Ruud & Jan prepare homemade dinners with care and generosity, showcasing local ingredients and classic French flavours unique to the region. Served on the terrace at sunset or by candlelight indoors, each meal offers a simple, authentic taste of place.

Le Jardin, set within Château Petit Faurie de Soutard in Saint-Émilion, offers a serene dining experience overlooking the surrounding vineyards. Since 2021, it has showcased refined, regionally inspired cuisine paired with an exceptional wine list of over five hundred carefully selected references. With its own kitchen garden supplying fresh, seasonal produce, it reflects a deep commitment to local flavors and terroir-driven cooking.

Our picnics are a highlight of the day. Fresh local produce, plenty of variety, and the freedom to enjoy whatever takes your fancy. While the setting might be a local park, a quiet forest clearing, a hilltop viewpoint, or a scenic roadside stop, it’s always a chance to pause, relax, and refuel. Whether you linger over good food and conversation or grab a quick bite before jumping back on the bike, it’s the perfect mid-ride reset.