Cycling Tours in France

Discover the Pyrenees

A mountain range that spans from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and incorporates a wide range of different languages, cultures, climates, terrain and people. The Pyrenees is a wonderful setting for an off the beaten path hiking adventure. Impressive limestone peaks, rugged trails, isolated village that stand still in time. To the Spanish side you can expect ruined forts and watchtowers, terraces of olives trees and vineyards, when work stops in the fields it is time to slip into another rhythm, it is the relaxing hour of the ‘tapas’ time to taste some delicious flavors of small mouth watering appetizers with a local aperitif such as ‘banyuls’ before sitting down to a meal of Catalan cuisine. Further East, in Ariège you will find a county of medieval towns and mystic, hilltop Cathar castles, walking along the old paved path ‘the weavers route’ you traverse a page of history that will grab your imagination. It is a land of deep blue lakes and lush valleys, remarkable for Pyrenean wildlife, marmots, wild boar, foxes, roe deer, isards, moufflons, vultures and eagles.

Pyrenees : Cycling the Cathare Castles
7 days / 6 nights
Self-guided Cycling Tour
 

A cycling holiday that explores the Pays de Sault a small region situated in the heart of Ariege. You will discover an area of wild natural beauty, as well as an interesting page of France’s history – So, on your bike!
 
Short Itinerary
day 1: Depending on your time of arrival you can do a circular ride from your hotel, or take a stroll around the historical town of Limoux, home to the oldest sparkling wine in the world: La Blanquette de Limoux.
day 2: Discover the medieval town of Mirepoix, passing through some charming villages within the Pays d’Occitaine region.
day 3: Today’s cycle takes you from Mirepoix, through some exquisite countryside to Foix, where you explore it’s highly acclaimed castle.
day 4: Cycling towards the historic ruins of Montségur you will encounter some mysterious and memorable landscapes.
day 5: Today your ride traverses the Cathare region up to Puivert and it’s Troubadour castle.
day 6: Advancing on through the elevated Aude valley up to the sun baked vineyards of the Corbières.
day 7: Your trip comes to an end in the morning.
  
ZZ-FR-Cycle01
7 days/ 6 nights $ 925
-- based on € 625
  • 2008 Price includes:
    Six nights in hotels or guest houses, 6 breakfasts, 4 evening meals, internal transfers, luggage transfers, trip dossier with maps and topo-guides.
     Dates:
    - Departures are any day of the year
  • Supplements:
    - Single :+ $225
    -- based on € 145
    - Bike rental : $160     based on € 110

    Starting point:
    Day 1 at your hotel in Limoux (Aude) to leave at 12 o’clock.

  • End:
    Day 7 at your hotel in Limoux after breakfast.
  • How to get there:
    By train to Limoux.
    Ryanair offers low fare ticket to Carcassonne (starting from 10 Euros from London).
  • Accomodation:
    2 per room, in 2* Hotels or guest houses.
  • Number of participants:
    Minimum two.
  • Level of difficulty:
    4 to 6 hours of cycling per day, each stage ranging between 35 and 50 Km. Intended for people with an average level of fitness. Not technically difficult.
  • Carrying:
    Just your belongings for the day, the rest of your luggage is transferred by vehicle.
  • Price does not include:
    Drinks, travel insurance, visits to sites, lunch, and the evening meals of Day 1 & 6 at Limoux.