The Heart of the Tarn River Valley

*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: Departure

Day 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)
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 
Elevation gain: 921 m

Day 3: Brousse-Le-Chateau, 36 mi. (52 km)
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
Elevation gain: 1024 m

Day 4: Peyre, Millau, Roquefort Caves, 27 mi. (43 km)
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
Elevation gain: 748 m

Day 5: Albi, 27 mi. (43 km)
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 
Elevation gain: 726 m

Day 6: Combret, 29 mi. (47 km)
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
Elevation gain: 978 m

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.

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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

Flat bar sport or fitness road bike

Specialized Sirrus Sport Flat Bar Road Bike

• Premium aluminum frame
• Shimano gearing (27)

Lapierre Flat Bar Fitness Road Bike

• Alloy frame with a carbon fork
• Shimano gearing (27)

Electric bikes

Kalkhoff Electric Bikes

• Premium aluminum frame
• Shimano Altus 8 speed gearing
• Battery range of 100 km on normal to economy setting
• Disc brakes
• Schwalbe Energizer tires

Neomouv Electric Bikes

• Premium aluminum frame
• 7 gears
• Battery range of 100 km on normal to economy setting
• ABS brakes