a  cycling odyssey from Clermont-Ferrand to Montpellier through 4 wild natural parks:Volcanoes of Auvergne, Aubrac, Gorges du Tarn and Cevennes

 

Get ready to explore the Massif Central. This region of France, from Clermont-Ferrand to Montpellier, is clearly one of the most underrated region not only in France but also in Europe. On our way to the south, we discover powerful volcanoes that once shaped the heart of France, and while they no longer disturb the landscape with their jolts, they still tower in majesty. In addition to the wild beauty of the Puys (Puy de Dôme, Puy de Sancy and Puy Mary), you will ride through the greenlands and meadows of the Aubrac, with at the key, the tasting of some of the best cheeses of France, and also visit beautiful villages (Besse, Salers, Tournemire, Nasbinals, Sainte-Enimie, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert), enjoy the wonderful Gorges du Tarn, the steppe-like Causse Mejean, the famous Mont Aigoual in the heart of the Cevennes national park, the geological wonder of the Cirque de Navacelles before a reaching the Mediteranean, its sunny climate, its Pic Saint Loup vineyards and the joyful city of Montpellier. 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Volcanoes of Auvergne
  • Greenlands and meadows of Aubrac
  • Gorges du Tarn, Cirque de Navacelles
  • Montpellier and many beautiful villages along the way
  • Puy de Dôme, Aven Armand, cheese tasting and wine tasting (included in the guided version)

A BIKE TRIP THAT ADAPTS TO YOUR WISHES!

Choose the option that suits you: supported, guided or custom.

Supported Tour

The perfect balance between autonomy and assistance.

Thanks to the simplicity of use of the biking GPS, which we include, you can enjoy your day the way you want. We suggest places for lunch and dinner as well as the activities not to be missed on the itinerary we have created.

A support vehicle (van) and its driver-guide will accompany you. It will pick you up on the first day at the meeting place and drop you off at the end of your stay. At each stage, he transfers your luggage. For more security and comfort, the van is at your disposal for the duration of your trip. It will stay nearby to provide you with supplies, to solve any mechanical problems or to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in case of fatigue or capricious weather. Finally, since we choose to offer you the most beautiful itineraries, it sometimes requires a transfer to make the junction between two stages.

Our trips are privatized, offering you the guarantee to travel in small groups with your friends or family.

Dates

May to October

Duration

9 days – 8 nights

Guaranteed departures from 4 participants

Less than 4 ? More than 8 ? Contact us !

Pick up – Drop off

Pick up: Clermont-Ferrand / Drop off: Montpellier

Bike itinerary

Clermont-Ferrand > Montpellier

Type

Mountainous

Support vehicle

9-seater van – Passenger transportation

Guide

1 driver-guide

Navigation

Biking GPS

Mechanical assistance

Punctures, etc.

Luggage

Luggage transfer

Bike rental

Road bike rental included

Meals

Breakfasts

Snacks

Fruits, bars and refreshments

Accomodations

3* & 4* hotels 

Single occupancy (1 person per room)

In supplement from + 600€

From 2550€/person

Book Now

Guided Tour

Follow the guide !

All you have to do is pedal and enjoy the scenery, we’ll take care of everything! You discover the region accompanied by a certified bike guide. Every day we program the best places for lunch and dinner, as well as the activities not to be missed on the itinerary we have created.

A support vehicle (van) and its driver-guide will accompany you. It will pick you up on the first day at the meeting place and drop you off at the end of your stay. At each stage, he transfers your luggage. For more security and comfort, the van is at your disposal for the duration of your trip. It will stay nearby to provide you with supplies, to solve any mechanical problems or to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in case of fatigue or capricious weather. Finally, since we choose to offer you the most beautiful itineraries, it sometimes requires a transfer to make the junction between two stages.

Our trips are privatized, offering you the guarantee to travel in small groups with your friends or family.

Dates

May to October

Duration

9 days – 8 nights

Guaranteed departures from 4 participants

Less than 4 ? More than 7 ? Contact us !

Pick up – Drop off

Pick up: Clermont-Ferrand / Drop off: Montpellier

Bike itinerary

Clermont-Ferrand > Montpellier

Type

Mountainous

Support vehicle

9-seater van – Passenger transportation

Guide #1

1 driver-guide

Guide #2

1 certified bike guide

Mechanical assistance

Punctures, etc.

Luggage

Luggage transfer

Bike rental

Road bike rental included

Activities

Puy de Dôme – Cheese tasting – Aven Armand – Wine tasting

Meals

Full board

Snacks

Fruits, bars and refreshments

Accomodations

3* & 4* hotels 

Single occupancy (1 person per room)

In supplement from + 600€

From 3790€/person

Book Now

Custom Tour

The trip of your dreams !

With our expertise and the elements that you will share with us, we will know how to accompany you in the conception of the trip of your dreams! Whether it’s a question of creating a new itinerary or adapting one of our tours, each element of your trip will be carefully studied to meet your expectations: budget, dates, itinerary, difficulty, activities, theme, guiding, accommodation, catering or bike rental.

We design and organize bike tours for friends and families who wish to celebrate an event or simply share good times. We also offer solutions to companies, associations and administrations who wish to thank their teams or partners.

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    BIKe itinerary

    Welcome to the Volcanoes of Auvergne

    We will meet you at Clermont-Ferrand train station at 2 pm before taking you to your hotel in Royat-Chamalières, a few kilometers on the west side of Clermont-Ferrand. We take advantage of this first day to adjust our bikes, discuss the stay, enjoy the city in a in a unique environment at the footsteps of the Puy-de-Dôme. 

    Train Sation
    Clermont-Ferrand
    Night
    Clermont-Ferrand

    Clermont-Ferrand > besse et Saint Anastasie 

    The road that leads to Orcival runs along the southern flank of the Puy de Dôme, before continuing through a landscape of green hills and pastoral forests to reach a spectacular panorama of the Monts Dore and the Massif du Sancy. The Col de la Croix Saint Robert will lead us to the lake of Chambon, Murol, Saint-Nectaire, the Jonas caves and finally the pretty mountain village of Besse-et-Saint-Anastasie.

    Route 1
    81 km / 2070 m D+
    Route 2
    110 km / 2800 m D+
    Night
    Besse-et-Saint-Anastasie

    Besse et Saint Anastaise > Salers

    The route leaves the Sancy massif to the south and the Cantal mountains, which are wilder and less populated. The crossing of the Cézallier desert-like mounts leads us face to face with the Puy Mary, the southernmost of the Auvergne giants for a splendid ascent that leads to the narrow road of the Pas de Peyrol. A magnificent descent along a line of ridges leads us to Salers, a pretty village perched on a hill and surrounded by rolling fields where the famous long-horned cows graze. With its small center made up of 16th century stone buildings and its panoramas of the Puy Mary, the place invites you to stroll.

    Route 1
    71 km / 900 m D+
    Route 2
    107 km / 1950 m D+
    Night
    Salers

    SALERS > Saint-Flour

    You will ride several valleys with different landscapes. Classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, Tournemire and its imposing castle dominate the green valley of the river Doire. Halfway to the great south and the Mediterranean, the town of Saint-Flour, from the top of its rocky promontory of volcanic origin, owns a rich and eventful history.

    Route 1
    92km / 1800 m D+
    Route 2
    100 km / 2000 m D+
    Night
    Saint-Flour

    Saint-Flour > La Canourgue

    More than 130 years after its construction by Gustave Eiffel, the Garabit viaduct is admired by all. At its feet, the Truyère river has dug its bed in a sumptuous and multifaceted valley that we follow to Chaudes-Aigues, a spa resort where no less than 32 hot springs gush forth, including the Par spring, naturally the hottest in Europe (82°C). We then enter the Aubrac plateau, a rural region of medium mountains with a very well preserved heritage, as evidenced by its numerous burons (old summer houses) and typical villages such as Saint-Urcize and Nasbinals. Further on, the sublime lakes road will lead us to La Canourgue, at the gates of the Causse de Sauveterre and the Gorges du Tarn.

    Route
    114 km / 1660 m D+
    Night
    Banassac

    La Canourgue > Meyrueis

    The crossing of the Causse du Sauveterre offers us a wonderful view of the gigantic Gorges du Tarn, more than 600m deep. 25 km of meanders, gorges, cirques, faults or dolomitic arches await us, revealing the power of nature that sculpted the landscape in the quaternary era. Difficult to enumerate all the treasures hidden there. From Sainte-Enimie, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, we access by picturesque and winding roads to the Causse Méjean, which overlooks the Gorges of the Tarn and the Jonte at an altitude of nearly 1000m. This limestone plateau unfolds steppe landscapes of breathtaking beauty where we find the Przewalski horse reserve, the Aven Armand and the chaos of Nîmes le Vieux.

    Route 1
    80 km / 1300 m D+
    Route 2
    97 km / 1500 m D+
    Night
    Meyrueis

    Meyrueis > CirquE de NAVACELLES

    The silhouette of Mount Aigoual, the mythical mountain of the Cévennes National Park, offers an extraordinary view embracing the Mediterranean Sea, 60 km away. At 360°, the panorama opens onto the Causses, the Cantal Volcanoes, the peaks of the Pyrenees and even the snow-covered Alps. We continue to go into the Cévennes until the we reach the vertiginous Cirque de Navacelles: a pure geological wonder ! We go down the spectacular road that crosses this giant crater to the enchanting village of Navacelles.

    Route
    102 km / 1850 m D+
    Night
    Madières

    Cirque de Navacelles > Montpellier

    This lunar and arid area then leads us to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, wonderful villages nestled along the Gorges de l’Hérault. Charming alleys lead in its centre to its marvel: the abbey of Gélonne. Our way up the Gorges de l’Hérault takes us first to the pleasant town of Saint-Martin-de-Londres. From here we admire the Pic Saint Loup (658 m) which dominates the hinterland of Montpellier and splits the vineyards of this well-known wine region. Our adventure ends in beauty as it is in Montpellier that we spend our last evening. Montpellier is a joyful city, which, through its medieval streets and charming squares, mixes art de vivre and history in a unique way.

    Route 1
    88 km / 1020 m D+
    Route 2
    106 km / 1330 m D+
    Route 3
    134 km / 1530 m D+
    Night
    Montpellier

    END OF STAY

    We will take you to MontpellierTGV after breakfast to end this Volcanoes to Mediterranean bike tour, unless you want to extend your stay with Veymont Travel. 

    Train station
    Montpellier

    ACCOMODATIONS / HOTELS

    Veymont Travel retains the right to change the hotels if necessary as stipulated in our GTC.

    Royat-chamalieres – 1 night

    Hotel Royal Saint Mart 3*

    In the heart of the Royat-Chamalières spa resort, 10 minutes from downtown Clermont-Ferrand, the same family has been cultivating the art of living in this cosy hotel since 1853.

    BESSE-ET-SAINT-ANASTAISE – 1 night

    Auberge de la petite ferme 3*

    The hotel is situated in near the medieval village of Besse and in an exceptional environment in the heart of the Regional Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne.

    SALERS – 1 night

    Hôtel des Remparts 3*

    In the heart of Salers, the jewel of the upper Auvergne, the Hôtel des Remparts, with a breathtaking view of mountains and valleys, offers you an exceptional welcome..

    Saint-Georges – 1 night

    Chateau de Varillettes

    Situated near Saint-Flour, nestled in a green undulating landscape, Varillettes castle borders fields and woods, and appears to watch over the rolling hills of the Margeride.

    Bannassac – 1 night

    Hotel les 2 Rives 3*

    This hotel welcomes you in the heart of the Lot Valley. Between Gorges du Tarn and Aubrac.

    Meyrueis – 1 night

    Hotel du Mont Aigoual 3*

    Nestled between the foothills of Mont Aigoual, to the south, and the Causse Méjean, to the north, rises the picturesque village of Meyrueis. There, at an altitude of 700 m, stands majestically on a magnificent mountainside park, the Hotel du Mont Aigoual.

    MADIÈRES – 1 NIGHT

    Chateau de Madières

    This Historic Monument of the 12th century was is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Castle of Madières is situated in a grandiose environment.

    MONTPELLIER – 1 NIGHT

    Montpellier Crowne Plaza 4*

    Sophisticated Montpellier hotel with an outdoor pool and very close to the historic city centre and the Place de la Comédie.

    equipment / bikes

    Included

    Carbon road bike – Shimano 105

    Trek Emonda SL5 or equivalent

    Women’s model also available

    Size: 47 – 50 – 52 – 54 – 56 – 58 – 60 – 62

    Chainring: 50-34 Cassette: 11-32

    Supplement + 115 €

    Road E-bike

    Pinarello Nytro or equivalent

    Size: 46,5 – 50 – 53 – 55 – 58

    Chainring: 50-34 Cassette: 11-30

    Supplement + 260 €

    Carbon road bike – Ultegra DI2

    Pinarello Prince or equivalent

    Women’s model also available

    Size: 46,5 – 50 – 51,5 – 53 – 54 – 56 – 57,5 – 59,5 – 62

    Chainring: 50-34 Cassette: 11-32

    Supplement + 880 €

    Carbon road bike – Dura Ace DI2

    Pinarello Dogma F12 or equivalent

    Size: 46,5 – 50 – 51,5 – 53 – 54 – 55 – 56 – 57,5 – 59,5

    Chainring: 50-34 Cassette: 11-32

    Equipment / dEtails

    You can choose to travel with your own bike and/or bring your own pedals, saddle and helmet. The guide will set up your equipment upon arrival.

    Equipment provided with the rental of a Road Bike
    Equipment provided with the rental of a Hybrid Bike
    • Pedals to choose from the following:
      • cleats: SPD-SL / SPD-M / Look Keo
      • flat with cages
      • flat
    • 1 Pump
    • 1 Computer
    • 2 water bottles
    • 1 saddle bag: 1 spare tube + 1 multitool + 2 tire-levers
    • 1 helmet
    Equipment provided with the rental of a Hybrid Bike
    • Pedals to choose from the following:
      • cleats: SPD-SL / SPD-M / Look Keo
      • flat with cages
      • flat
    • 1 Pump
    • 1 Computer
    • 1 water bottle
    • 1 saddle bag: 1 spare tube + 1 multitool + 2 tire-levers
    • 1 helmet
    • 1 handlebar bag
    • 2 rear panniers

    WHAT’s INCLUDED / WHAT’S NOT incluDED ?

    Included
    Supported tour
    Not Included
    Supported Tour

    Accomodation

    • 5 nights in 3* hotels (or equivalent) in double occupancy
    • 3 nights in 4* hotels (or equivalent) in double occupancy

    Meals

    • 8 breakfasts
    • Snacks and refreshments

    Guiding

    • 1 driver-guide

    Activities

    • 7 bike rides

    Equipment

    • Carbon road bike rental with bike equipment (see above)
    • Garmin bike GPS rental (1 for 4 persons)
    • 1 Veymont Travel cycling jersey

    Support & Transfer

    • 1 support van following the group and offering to the guests:
    • Transfer of people
    • Transfer of luggage
    • Transfer of bikes
    • Mechanical assistance
    • Refreshments
    • Pick up and drop off at predeterminated places
    Not Included
    Guided Tour
    • Travel and repatriation insurance
    • Plane/train tickets and transportation to/from predetermined pick up/drop off locations
    • Accomodation before and after the stay
    • Personnal effetcs purchased during the stay
    • Activities not planned by Veymont Travel
    • Meals not mentionned in the “meals” section
    • Wine and dinks in bars, hotels and restaurants
    Included
    Guided tour
    Not Included
    Guided Tour

    Accomodation

    • 5 nights in 3* hotels (or equivalent) in double occupancy
    • 3 nights in 4* hotels (or equivalent) in double occupancy

    Meals

    • 8 breakfasts
    • 7 lunches
    • 8 dinners
    • Snacks and refreshments

    Guiding

    • 1 driver-guide
    • 1 certified bike guide

    Activities

    • 7 bike rides
    • Cheese & Wine tasting
    • Puy de Dôme visit
    • Aven Armand visit

    Equipment

    • Carbon road bike rental with bike equipment (see above)
    • Garmin bike GPS rental (1 for 4 persons)
    • 1 Veymont Travel cycling jersey

    Support & Transfer

    • 1 support van following the group and offering to the guests:
    • Transfer of people
    • Transfer of luggage
    • Transfer of bikes
    • Mechanical assistance
    • Refreshments
    • Pick up and drop off at predeterminated places
    Not Included
    Guided Tour
    • Travel and repatriation insurance
    • Plane/train tickets and transportation to/from predetermined pick up/drop off locations
    • Accomodation before and after the stay
    • Personnal effetcs purchased during the stay
    • Activities not planned by Veymont Travel
    • Meals not mentionned in the “meals” section
    • Wine and dinks in bars, hotels and restaurants

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