OVERVIEW
A classic coast to coast voyage using a network of quiet back lanes and
country roads to get to know the real France. Our 500km (310mile) route links picturesque
villages, medieval towns, rolling landscapes, Cathar castles and
vineyards as we head slowly east through this historic land.
This fully supported cycling trip is about discovering the
highlights of Southern France and the Pyrenean foothills by bike, and is suitable for anyone
who enjoys cycling. The riding, which is mostly flat or undulating, will be done
at a leisurely pace with an average daily distance of about 83km.
This leaves time to relax or explore the many natural and
man made sights of interest en route.
Our overnight stops are taken in sleepy towns, and places of
interest to the visitor to France. We stay in comfortable 2* hotels, selected
for their charm and good restaurants. You will not get a more varied
insight into
the region and its culture than this trip! Please have a look at our
detailed itinerary below for a day by day
breakdown of the riding.
Day 1: (Transfer Day)
Transfer from Biarritz Airport to our tour
start point in Biarritz. Once ‘the’ beach resort to be seen
in, Biarritz sea front retains some of its former glory, with grand
sea front hotels and a lovely promenade. The beaches on the
outskirts of town have a new air about them, being a Mecca for
surfers from around the world who bring a new energy to this resort.
Day 2: Biarritz to Mauleon-Licharre (80km / 49 miles)
Having started our trip with a bit of a toe dangle in
the Atlantic, we start our traverse of France by heading north on
the picturesque coast road before heading inland to the beautiful
Basque countryside with its typical architecture of white houses
and red shutters. We enter La Basse Navarre, the region of hills
and mountains along the border with Spain where the landscape is
undulating and rural, and the villages kept in immaculate
condition. There are regular small towns on our route (Hasparren,
St Palais) so we can stop for refreshments as we need. Our
destination is the small town of Mauleon-Licharre, which
became famous in the 1960’s and 70’s as the original home of the
espadrille, which continue to be made here today.
Day 3: Mauleon-Licharre to Lourdes (85km / 52miles)
Today we continue our journey east through the
Pyrenees Atlantic region via the beautiful and historic town of
Oloron Sainte Marie where it is well worth a little wonder
around. Classed as a town of art and history, the town has many
sites worth visiting, not forgetting the Lindt chocolate house!
From here we continue through rural countryside with views of the
Pyrenees, and keep south of Pau to arrive at our destination for the
day, the infamous town of Lourdes. A pilgrammage site famous
around the world where Saint Bernadette saw 18 appartions of the
Virgin Mary, Lourdes is an interesting place to visit regardless of
your religious beliefs.
Day 4: Lourdes to St Gaudens (80km / 49 miles)
Having entered into the Hautes Pyrenees, today our
journey takes us within touching distance of the big peaks as we
pass through the town of Bagneres de Bigorre at the base of
the mighty Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 2878m. Happily, we stay in the
foothills, and have time to explore the spa town, used for its spa
therapies since Roman times. From here we head on small roads past
the chateau at Mauvezin, and climb up to the limestone
plateau de Lannemezan from which many of Gascogne’s rivers descend.
Our destination today is the historic town of St Gaudens,
which lies at the heart of the Comminges region, between the river
Garonne and the rolling Gascony hills.
Day 5: St Gaudens to Foix (90km / 56 miles)
Our longest day today, but worth it as we travel
through some beautiful countryside in the north of the Comminges and
through the Parc Natural Regional de Pyrenees Ariegois. Well worth
a stop en route today is the historic and attractive town of St
Lizier, known as one of the most beautiful towns in France with
its hill top cathedral and gallo roman history. For something
different today, our road take us through through the famous Mas
d’Azil, a paleolithic limestone grotte, complete with
stalactites. The town of Foix at the end of todays route, is
the administrative capital of the Ariege, and its 3 turreted chateau
perches above the cobbled historic streets of the city centre.
Day 6: Foix to Rennes Les Bains (80km / 49 miles)
Continuing East from Foix we see rural Ariege at its
best – unspoilt and rustic. We cross into the Aude, famous for its
Cathar castles and spa towns. We pass close to the chateau of
Puivert en route to Couiza and beyond. There are many
legends written about this area, where the Cathars escaped to in the
13th century after their siege at Montsegur. Stories
tell of hidden treasure, secret societies and mysterious happenings,
in books such as the Da Vinci Code and Labyrinth fire the
imagination but regardless of all the speculation, this area does
have a certain magic about it. Our destination this evening is the
picturesque spa town of Rennes Les Bains.
Day 7: Rennes Les Bains to Port La Nouvelle (85km /53 miles)
Last day today as we head to the Mediterranean and
the end of our trip! Passing by more historic Cathar castles of
Peyrepetuse and Queribus, the views here are spectacular
and the quiet roads a pleasure to cycle. We can almost smell the
Mediterranean and the vineyards alongside the roads put us in the
mood for celebrating this evening with some local Corbieres! We
cycle through the Parc National Regional de La Narbonnaise in our
last stretch to the coast and the Port of La Nouvelle. Made
it!
Day 8: Transfer to Carcassonne
Depending on flights, we transfer to Carcassonne
this morning (approx 1.5hrs). For those wanting to explore the
delights of this uniquely preserved Medieval City, it is worth
getting a later flight. Officially Europe's largest Fortress it is
flanked by 26 towers and 3000m of twin walls! You will be impressed.
|
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
The cycling is mostly flat or undulating, with a maximum ascent of
600ms over the course of Day 4. Even then, none of the hills
are very long or high, as we stick to the foothills of the Pyrenees,
rather than traverse the mountains themselves. As well as being more
manageable and therefore enjoyable, this gives us some fantastic views of
the large peaks to our Right as we travel east. Daily distance averages
at about 83km, except for the penultimate day of cycling which is
90kms (55miles). If you enjoy cycling
at a leisurely pace then this trip is for you. There is always the
support vehicle available for a rendez vous if you fancy a day off
or find that you are getting tired. Those wanting more of a workout
can chat this through with the support driver, and take a few detours en-route. It is important to us that people
book the correct trip. Please do not hesitate to contact
us if you have have any doubts.
DATES
Mon 2nd Aug - Mon 9th Aug (Trip code RFC J32)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The holiday costs £780, starting at Biarritz Airport and ending at Carcassonne
Airport. Flights can be picked up very cheaply if booked in advance. Expect to
pay approximately £80 return. Allow a further £80 for the lunches not included and drinks (depending
on your thirst!). There are no other local payments or hidden costs.
Please note that we offer a 5% discount if you book more than 3 months
before the departure date. We also offer group and loyalty discounts.
This price includes: 6 days fully supported riding. Airport Transfers (at specified times).
7 nights based in comfortable 2 star
Hotels. 7 evening meals, and 7 breakfasts.
WHERE DO WE STAY?
Everyday we move onto an
different Hotel. Where possible these are small but comfortable 2*
hotels, which reflect the character of the region. All rooms have
private facilities and are allocated on a 'Twin Share Basis'. If
booking alone it is possible to book a single room throughout the trip,
there is a charge of £200 for this and you must inform us on booking (unfortunatley
as it is high season, the single supplement is higher than usual).
FOOD
This trip could be looked at as a 'gourmet cuisine' trip with a bit of
biking to work up an appetite! The French are deservedly proud of their
regional specialties, so we will be spoilt by the various taste sensations
as we head east. All breakfasts are included and are continental style. 7
evening meals will be taken in the hotels or local restaurants. As people like to eat very different things when
exercising, we have left options for lunch open and you are invited to buy
snacks and a pack lunch from the grocery shops close to all our hotels, or
to stop at cafe's and restaurants
en route. No drinks (wine / tea / coffee) are included.
GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION
You are accompanied by our guide, Nathan
Hall who has been working with Marmot Tours since 2008. He
is a keen cyclist, qualified first aider and
good bike mechanic. He will be at hand to assist in any way throughout
the trip. He will drive the support vehicle which will intercept
the group from time to time during the day. You will be provided with
comprehensive route notes and maps, meaning you can ride at your own
pace.
GROUP
There is a maximum of 12 people (minimum 6) plus Nathan on this holiday.
Bookings from single people are welcome as activity holidays are a
great way to make new friends.
TRANSPORT / SUPPORT
Throughout the trip you are supported by a minibus fitted with a bike
rack. It will intercept the group from time to time offering
refreshments, mechanical assistance as well as a lift up the hills (if you would like
it). Bags are naturally transported from hotel to hotel.
BIKE HIRE
If you do not want to have the hassle of bringing your own bike, you can
hire one from Marmot-Tours (and return it dirty at the end of the
holiday!). For more information on hiring or packing up your own bike for
travel please see the Bike
Hire section. Both road bikes or mountain bikes with slick tyres are
available.
All bikes hired on this trip will be fitted with a speed / mileometer and a 15 litre handle bar rack.
Please note that the bikes a do not have adjustable
handlebar heights. Bikes must be paid for on booking.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
The trip starts at Biarritz Airport and ends at Carcassonne Airport.
A minibus transfer will be arranged to tie in with
the most suitable flights.
Please see the Transport
section
for all travel options (air, road, rail), plus getting to the start
point independently. Please see our guidelines if
travelling with a bike
|
To detailed itinerary
