Day-To-Day Itinerary
*Below is itinerary for Supported Tour. This can also be used a guideline for a self-guided tour.
Day 1: Coupiac, 11 mi., 18 km
Day 2: Ambialet, 25 mi., 40 km
Day 3: Brousse, 36 mi./52 km
Day 4: Albi, 28 or 56 mi., 45 or 90 km
Day 5: Belmont, 31 or 44 mi./50 or 70 km
Day 6: St Affrique, Millau Bridge, and Roquefort Cheese Cave, 25 or 45 km
Day 7: Free day
Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Coupiac, 11 mi./18 km
After your arrival in Toulouse, an airport pickup can be arranged to your accommodations for the duration of your tour, Les Magnolias. 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.
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Ambialet, 25 mi./40 km
You will cycle once again on the 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 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. Special lunch stop will be at La Chanterelle in the village of Trebas. 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 before dining at once again in the renowned restaurant, on your own, under the direction of the popular and aspiring young chef.
Included Meals: Breakfast and lunch
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 en route. You can enjoy a short coffee stop at the Chateau House 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 omelette at Brousse-Le-Chateau. Return ride via the flat Tarn route or mountain route. The special Meal this evening will be at Les Magnolias or a nearby selected village restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Albi, 28 or 56 mi., 45 or 90 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 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. Dinner this evening will be either at a carefully selected nearby village restaurant or at Les Magnolias.
Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Belmont, 31 or 44 mi./50 or 70 km
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will cycle on the Yellow route ride to Belmont via the characterful village of Combret, through beautiful forest scenery. You will enjoy a variety of terrain! You can enjoy a coffee stop at Belmont and then return to Combret for special lunch. Optional return ride to Plaisance or you can decide to hop on the support vehicle (for those that have booked the guided tour) for return to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening at Les Magnolias or a nearby village restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 6: Cycling and Touring day: St Affrique, Millau Bridge, and Roquefort Cheese Caves, 25 or 45 km
There will be a morning transfer with bikes to St Affrique’s charming fresh produce market. Ride 35 km from St Afrique to the troglodyte village of Peyre, via the stunning St Rome Sur Tarn. It is a beautiful ride along the Tarn River, past quaint old farmhouses, and lively local rural activity. Lunch will be on your own in Peyre with its incredible view of the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world. Roquefort cheese caves are next on the agenda with an optional tour of the caves. Return to Plaisance. Special dinner at Les Magnolias.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Free day
Today is all yours! Relax at the hotel, swim, play pétanque, 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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Travel Details
This tour is run by Claudia Koch Ley.
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Tour Reviews
Beckie S. 9 months ago Verified Reviewer
We were at hotel Les Magnolias. We had a fabulous holiday, some of our prettiest riding quiet roads and well planned days. Staff were wonderful and always available. Thank you for one of our best holidays
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Robert E. 9 months ago Verified Reviewer
Our group of eight greatly enjoyed our experience at Les Magnolias and especially appreciated the personalized hospitality of Claudia, supported by her always-courteous and attentive staff. We really give highest marks to the quality of the food, cleanliness of the rooms and facilities, selection of bikes and, of course, the amazing scenery and sites of interest. Thank you so much for a great week!! We will be back some day!
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John Manley 11 months ago Verified Reviewer
This is a fantastic tour in a very beautiful part of rural France. The hotel is very comfortable, consisting of a series of very old but beautifully restored buildings together with some sympathetically designed modern extensions. These include a covered pool and a large paved outdoor area shaded by the huge magnolias that give the hotel its name. The hotel has its own restaurant offering excellent food at very reasonable prices. The special dinner offered on Saturdays features regional produce and is worth far more than its E29 price tag.
There are a dozen or more excellent day rides that can be made using the hotel as a base. Your host Claudia will suggest rides to suit your interests and riding capabilities and will provide very clear maps and directions. However - be warned - the surrounding countryside is stunningly beautiful but there are hills! Unless you are a strong rider you may wish to consider the electric bike option that is available.
This is Read more… probably the best of the half dozen or so bike tours we have done in France and Italy. We will be back!
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