The Heart of the Tarn River Valley
France Bike Tours
A cycling holiday in ancient rural France
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1635 Rates
Overview
Welcome to your next bike tour and adventure in France. You will be accommodated at the magnificent Les Magnolias Hotel in the quaint historic village of Plaisance, and, from this idyllic base, enjoy a self-guided or supported tour exploring the Aveyron and Tarn region in rural southern France.
Plaisance has recently been incorporated into a protected nature reserve (Parc Naturel Regional des Grands Causses) and is surrounded by many other ancient and beautiful villages linked by country roads through forest, river, and mountain scenery.
Optional activities include walking, canoeing, or historic site-seeing, topped off with a rich local culinary experience. This is an ideal destination for family and friends, so bring them along!
This tour is offered as supported or self-guided, with or without transfers. The supported tour offers a daily support vehicle that follows the group during the entire cycling itinerary.
Highlights
- Rural France
- Roquefort Cheese Caves
- Brousse-Le-Chateau
- Millau
- Cordes-sur-Ciel
- Albi
- Culinary experience at Les Magnolias
We have many other bike tours in France for you to explore!
Itinerary
Below is the itinerary for the supported tour. This can also be used as a guideline for a self-guided tour.
Day 1: Coupiac, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 2: Ambialet, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Brousse, 36 mi (52 km)
Day 4: Peyre, Millau, Roquefort Caves, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 5: Albi, 28 or 56 mi. (45 or 90 km)
Day 6: Combret, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 7: Free day
Day 8: DepartureDay 1: Coupiac, 10 mi. (16 km)
After your arrival in Toulouse, an airport pickup can be arranged to your accommodations for the duration of your tour, Les Magnolias in Plaisance. Lunch is not included today but you can enjoy a meal at your expense on the Les Magnolias terrace after a refreshing swim.Optional: Late afternoon bike ride of 10 mi. (16 km) to Coupiac on the Green route (slight climb on a mountain and forest road). Your evening will conclude with a dinner at Les Magnolias where you will experience your first meal by the popular hotel chef, Anne-Lyse, who passionately follows the local, seasonal and fresh theme!
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2: Ambialet, 25 mi. (40 km) | Elevation: 921 m
You will cycle once again on a green route toward Ambialet (a forest, mountain and Tarn River ride), showcasing stunning views of the Tarn River. The historic village of Ambialet is the perfect place for a coffee stop at Café de la Presqu’ile and is dominated by an ancient Franciscan monastery and Roman church. The Celts were the first to settle in Ambialet around the 6th century BC. They were followed by the Gauls, and the Romans, who set up a frontier post in this important strategic position. Your return ride to Les Magnolias is also along the Tarn River. An own lunch stop is proposed at L’Oustal in the village of Trebas. This is one of the most popular local restaurants. Here, all meat is cooked over an open hearth in the restaurant and the portion sizes are generous. Wines are exceptionally reasonable and good quality, especially the local wines. Upon arrival once again at the hotel, we suggest a lovely swim before dinner at Les Magnolias.Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Brousse-Le-Chateau, 36 mi. (52 km) | Elevation: 1024 m
After a delicious breakfast at Les Magnolias, you can depart for Brousse through forest and mountain trails, along the Tarn River. You will encounter a short but steep climb at the beginning of the route. You can enjoy a short coffee stop at the camping site in beautiful Lincou Village or at Brousee Le Chateau, categorized as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Lunch will be on your own. Perhaps you would enjoy a picnic lunch along the Tarn River or a light salad or Roquefort omelet at Brousse-Le-Chateau. Return ride via the flat Tarn route or mountain route. The included meal this evening will be at Les Magnolias or a nearby selected village restaurant.Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Peyre, Millau, Roquefort Caves, 27 mi. (43 km) | Elevation: 748 m
Depart by minibus with bicycles to the historic village of St Affrique and enjoy its impressive fresh produce market (only on Saturdays) and charming church, shops, and cafes. Ride 43 kms from St Afrique to the troglodyte village of Peyre, via the stunning St Rome Sur Tarn and with magnificent views of the Tarn valley. Then, it is a beautiful long ride along the Tarn river, past quaint old farmhouses and lively local rural activity. View of the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world from Peyre and drive to the Roquefort cheese caves. Optional tour of the caves. Return to Plaisance. Dinner at Les Magnolias.Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Albi, 27 mi. (43 km) | Elevation: 726 m
Today you will enjoy a mountain, forest, and river ride. After a coffee stop at Ambialet’s Hotel Du Pont, you will continue on one of the most picturesque rides of all, past rural farmhouses, through forest and river scenery. Lunch will be on your own at Albi’s ancient village center. Visit Albi World Heritage Site attractions: Albi Cathedral, Toulouse-Lautrec museum, Berbie Palace gardens. Walking and shopping along the cobbled streets of old Albi town. Return to Plaisance by support vehicle or you can opt to return by bike (86 kms/+1546m). Dinner this evening will be at Les Magnolias.Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Combret, 29 mi. (47 km) | Elevation 978 m
The route today leads to the characterful village of Combret, through beautiful forest scenery on a mix of hilly, flat, and forest ride. You can stop for a coffee stop at Posthoumy with a view of the Statue Menhirs. It is possible to reserve your own lunch at the delightful small restaurant in the village of Combret. Your return ride is via St Christophe and the ancient “lost” village of Cayla. Dinner at Les Magnolias.Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 7: Free day
Today is all yours! Relax at the hotel, swim, cycle, walk or go canoeing. It is up to you! Your dinner at Les Magnolias is included this evening!Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at Les Magnolias. Depart for Toulouse Blagnac airport.View all our featured bike trips, specials, and news along with 100s of other bike tours in Europe.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
You will stay in Les Magnolias, a delightful 22 room boutique hotel designed in a classic traditional style based on stone and French oak. The restaurant delights its guests by offering lovely cuisine. The chef’s recipes are almost always based on fresh, local, and seasonal produce. The hotel is a recently renovated 700-year-old building, once the family home of the famous French poet Paul Valery. The hotel is used as the primary base for cycling clientele as it is located in an idyllic cycling environment, surrounded by protected indigenous forests, rivers, ancient villages, and well-kept and quiet roads.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
Supported
- Accommodation for 7 nights at the beautiful Les Magnolias with breakfast included every day
- Airport transfers from/to Toulouse Blagnac airport
- 6 meals at Les Magnolias (lunch or dinner)
- Bike rental: Road bike with a drop-down handlebar, flat handlebar fitness road bike, or electric bike (additional cost)
- 5 cycling days with a support vehicle
- Visits to the UNESCO town of Albi, Millau, the Roquefort cheese caves, the historic villages of Brousse Le Chateau and Ambialet, & the impressive St Affrique fresh produce market
- Complimentary transfer to local evening markets & villages
- Accommodation for 7 nights at the beautiful Les Magnolias with breakfast included every day
- Airport transfers from/to Toulouse Blagnac airport
- 7 meals at Les Magnolias (lunch or dinner)
- Bike rental: Road bike with a drop-down handlebar, flat handlebar fitness road bike, or electric bike (additional cost)
- 5 cycling days with 2 days with a support vehicle to visit the UNESCO town of Albi and Millau
- Complimentary transfer to local evening markets & villages
Self-Guided
What’s Not Included
- Drinks
- Coffee stops, picnics, remaining lunches & dinners
- Additional activities not mentioned
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Supported
Dates on request, possible from mid-April through September 2024
Minimum of 6 people required to confirm.Self-Guided
Daily arrivals are possible from mid-April through September 2024
Minimum of 4 people required to confirm.Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Supported tour
Twin/double $ 3222 £ 1640 $ 2,957 € 1915 Ft 796952 kr 291390 ₪ 7961 ¥ 323429 Mex$ 42661 NZ$ 3548 kr 23403 zł 8509 S$ 2808 kr 22707 CHF 1843 $ 2,124 Single $ 3424 £ 1742 $ 3,142 € 2035 Ft 846892 kr 309649 ₪ 8459 ¥ 343696 Mex$ 45334 NZ$ 3770 kr 24869 zł 9043 S$ 2984 kr 24130 CHF 1958 $ 2,257 Self-guided tour
Twin/double $ 2751 £ 1400 $ 2,524 € 1635 Ft 680427 kr 248785 ₪ 6797 ¥ 276139 Mex$ 36423 NZ$ 3029 kr 19981 zł 7265 S$ 2397 kr 19387 CHF 1573 $ 1,813 Single $ 3078 £ 1566 $ 2,824 € 1829 Ft 761162 kr 278304 ₪ 7603 ¥ 308904 Mex$ 40745 NZ$ 3389 kr 22352 zł 8127 S$ 2682 kr 21687 CHF 1760 $ 2,028 Extra Options
Electric bike $ 177 £ 90 $ 162 € 105 Ft 43697 kr 15977 ₪ 436 ¥ 17734 Mex$ 2339 NZ$ 195 kr 1283 zł 467 S$ 154 kr 1245 CHF 101 $ 116 Suite/family room upgrade $ 84 £ 43 $ 77 € 50 Ft 20808 kr 7608 ₪ 208 ¥ 8445 Mex$ 1114 NZ$ 93 kr 611 zł 222 S$ 73 kr 593 CHF 48 $ 55 Toulouse Airport or town transfers (apart from group transfer, per transfer) $ 353 £ 180 $ 324 € 210 Ft 87394 kr 31954 ₪ 873 ¥ 35467 Mex$ 4678 NZ$ 389 kr 2566 zł 933 S$ 308 kr 2490 CHF 202 $ 233 All other airport transfers on request Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
Your itinerary will be uniquely designed to suit your group fitness level and you can choose from high-quality road, hybrid, or electric bikes as well as customized maps of over 15 routes of varying degrees of difficulty. You can choose a self-guided or supported cycling vacation with routes of varying difficulty. The supported option is designed for groups with a minimum of 6 people with a medium level of fitness but can be adjusted to suit different fitness profiles. If you select the self-guided option, you will be assisted in planning daily itineraries that are perfect for you and you will have a recovery support vehicle at your disposal if necessary. Included in the self-guided option are two touring and cycling days to the towns of Albi or Cordes-sur-Ciel and Millau.
Airport Info
Closest airport is Toulouse Blagnac airport. Airport transfers from this airport are included. It is also possible to arrive in Toulouse via TGV from Paris or other cities. The traveling time on the TGV from Paris to Toulouse is between 5.5 hours and 7.5 hours. The cost of the TGV varies between approximately €50 and €120 each way.
Local Travel
We suggest taking advantage of the airport transfers. If you are driving to the hotel, please ask us for driving directions. It is also possible to travel to Albi or St. Sernin by bus from Toulouse. The bus stops at Albi and St Sernin, just 8 km from Plaisance, where transfer to the hotel is easily arranged.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The Midi-Pyrénées region is located in the south of France and is renowned for its warm and pleasant climate throughout the year, especially during the summer months. The region boasts an oceanic, Mediterranean, and continental weather influences. The area generally receives more than 2,000 sunshine hours a year and is one of the sunniest places in France.
Day of Rest
Yes! On Day 7, you can take advantage of other activities or on any given day, you can opt to simply relax and enjoy your peaceful accommodations.
Remarks
You are also welcome to design your own self-guided program for as many nights as you wish. You are not restricted to having all of your meals at Les Magnolias or to including the 2 Day Trips (minimum 4 people) in your itinerary. Please ask!
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visaTour Operator
This tour is run by Claudia Koch Ley.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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