CYCLING IN THE LANGUEDOC

TRIP PREVIEW - 7 days/8 nights

Being hailed as 'the new Provence' this region has much to offer those wishing to escape the tourist hordes: a plethora of wonderful regional foods and wines; a diverse and beautiful countryside dotted with hundreds of ancient villages; Gothic cathedrals, Romanesque churches, medieval castles, and Renaissance houses. The engineering marvel that is the Canal du Midi meanders across the region with the mighty fortress of Carcassonne towering over it to the West. We skirt the Montagne Noir to the north before heading across the plain and into the Corbière wine region with magnificent views south to the Pyrenees. This was Cathar country, and their castles are found perched on the most impregnable outcrops to keep them safe from the vicious servants of the Catholic Church. This is magnificent biking country with great wine and food, come!

Tour type:
A circular tour beginning and ending in the village of Nissan lez Ensérune. On three days the cycling distance is such that it can be easily accomplished in the morning thus leaving the afternoons for exploring each new village. On the other three days there will be a short ride to the hotel during the afternoon

Level:
Suitable for Beginner and Intermediate recreational cyclists but longer daily itineraries can be arranged for 'Advanced' cyclists. The itinerary is adaptable to suit all levels. For beginners there is always the minibus close at hand if needed.

Terrain:
Carefully selected quiet picturesque back-roads and some hard trails. Some ascents, but none too steep, maximum elevation gain 200m.

Difference in elevation: 1m to 424m above sea level.

Distance:
Daily from 40 - 70 kms (24 - 44 miles). Approximately 320 kms (185 miles) in total.

AOC wine areas that you will be travelling through:
Côteaux de Languedoc, La Clape, Corbières and Minervois.

Climate:
The Languedoc is bathed with 300 days of sunshine a year and has a typical Mediterranean climate: long, hot and dry summers and short mild winters.

Trip start and end: Montpellier International Airport or Béziers Rail Station.

Price: by arrangement depending on group size

What's included:

• 8 nights accommodation in charming 2 and 3 *** hotels and country inns.
• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners* (*dinner in Carcassonne is on your own),
• 7 full days of cycling, hiking and exploring.
• Arrival and departure transfers from Montpellier or Béziers.
• Use of 21-speed French-made road/trail bikes and all associated equipment (front fork suspension, luggage rack or front pouch with map holder, anti-theft device, and repair kit). Other similar bicycles and equipment may be used depending upon guest and tour requirements.
• Daily cycling snacks, fruit and bottled water.
• Detailed documentation and maps.
• Technical assistance.
• All entrance fees to listed museums and historical sites.
• Visit and wine tasting at different wineries.
• Use of spacious air-conditioned 7-passenger minibus.
• Luggage transport between hotels.
• Two experienced guides.

Not included in the price:

• Airfares and transportation from your home to Montpellier or Beziers in France.
• Cancellation or travel insurance (both are highly recommended).
• Although helmets, seats and pedals are included you may want to bring your own.
• Bottled water is supplied but not a bicycle water bottle. Bring your own water bottle or water sack if desired.
• Gratuities at your discretion.

Internet sites to visit:

Villages
Narbonne www.mairie-narbonne.fr
Carcassonne www.tourisme.fr/carcassonne/
Lagrasse www.lagrasse.com

Sites
Cathar castles www.cathares.org/minerve.html
Oppidum d'Enserunewww.oppidumdenserune.com

Wineries:
A château in Nissan www.chateaulavernede.com

Regional Tourism
Languedoc-Roussillon www.cr-languedocroussillon.fr
Department of Aude www.audetourisme.com

Museums and historic sites included with the cycling tour:

Nissan lez Ensérune: L'Oppidum d'Ensérune

Lagrasse: The Benedictine Abbey of Ste. Marie d'Orbieu.

Carcassonne: Château Comtal.

Lastours: Cathar Castles.

Minerve: Municipal Archaeological Museum and the Romanesque church of St. Etienne, the Hurepel diorama museum of the Cathar crusade.

Day 1 Arrival in Nissan lez Ensérune

You will be met in the early afternoon at either the International airport or train station in Montpellier or the train station in Béziers and transferred to Nissan lez Ensérune (1-hr from Montpellier or 15 minutes from Béziers). After settling into the hotel there will be a familiarisation session, adjustment of the bikes followed by a 9-km warm-up ride that will take you along the Canal du Midi and up to the hilltop archaeological site of the Oppidum d'Ensérune for a magnificent panoramic view of the area. We then return via the village to visit the 18th century windmill that one of your guides helped to restore. We take an aperitif here before returning to the hotel to freshen up before supper.
Hôtel La Residence

Day 2 Nissan - Minerve (40 km; 25 miles)

Today we start gently by quickly joining the World Heritage site that is the Canal du Midi, the 340-year-old engineering marvel that joins the Atlantic with the Mediterranean. You will pass through several villages with a stop in Quarante being a must with its magnificent thousand-year-old church, which is one of the finest Romanesque jewels in France. The countryside is superb and the ride easy to medium. One section will take you off-road and down through a beautiful and seemingly lost valley and we pause to refresh at a Roman fountain once visited by Julius Caesar. We stop at Aigne, a circular medieval village centred around "L'Escargot" or "The Snail", a narrow street in the shape of a spiral with a sole entrance: there are many interesting artisans in the village, as well as an excellent wine cellar. Finally we climb and then drop in to the Gorges de la Cesse and reach Minerve, a rare treat indeed. . Later, we can have a swim in the pool at the local café before preparing for dinner in the hotel restaurant that overlooks the river gorge. A stroll under the stars after dinner is a must in this historical setting.
Hôtel Chantovent

Day 3 Minerve - circular ride (45 km: 28 miles)

After breakfast on the terrace looking over the gorge we head south for the plains and the delightful market in Olonzac. This is a great opportunity to stock up on fresh produce for a sumptuous picnic later on. We pass through Homps on the Canal du Mid and then strike north again towards the High Languedoc National Park: a climb awaits but the reward is a picnic at the top of the Gorges de la Cesse. After a suitable siesta break it's all downhill to Minerve. The afternoon can be spent exploring further this fascinating village with it's strong Cathar links or perhaps a hike up the gorge itself.
Hôtel Chantovent

Day 4 Minerve - Carcassonne (63kms - 39 miles)

Today we continue across the south-facing slopes of the Montagne Noire, heading through the heart of the Minervois wine region. There are countless roads to choose from, and country chapels, ancient Chieftain burial tombs, and villages to explore - the Abbey in Caunes Minervois founded in 780 is a must see. We picnic at a small roadside chapel before reaching the small village of Lastours where we leave our bikes for a while and hike up to a series of four medieval Cathar castles that overlook the valley and village. In the afternoon we head south for the mighty fortress of Carcassonne, the largest fortified town in Western Europe. We cross on the Old Bridge and then check into the hotel that looks out upon the old ramparts and towers of the old walled town, La Cité. The fortress is protected by a double wall of almost 3km in length and flanked with 52 towers and barbicans. This is another place that has to be walked around at night when the floodlights illuminate the dark, brooding masonry.
Hôtel Aragon

Day 5 Carcassonne - optional rest or ride day

Today can be spent exploring the fabulous World Heritage town and fortress or riding out into the countryside. Feast on the famous regional dish of Cassoulet at a restaurant that looks out over the Comtal Château. It is even possible to take a sightseeing excursion in the minibus for those that want to explore further afield. This is a highly flexible day in which a wide variety of options can be entertained and enjoyed. A pool at the hotel awaits your return for you to cool off. Tonight's dinner location is left for you to choose in this magic place.
Hôtel Aragon

Day 6 Carcassonne - Lagrasse (44 km; 27.5 miles)

A challenging ride today as we ride through beautiful valleys and canyons and up and over a couple of passes in the Corbières mountains, but the minibus is always there. Along the way we'll stop for a snack at a farm where they make lovely goat cheese. Our picnic stop will depend upon our progress. After lunch we'll continue to the village of Lagrasse where, in 799 AD, Charlemagne founded the Benedictine Abbey of Ste. Marie d'Orbieu. After checking into our small country hotel we can explore the picturesque streets and artisan shops of this medieval village, visit the Abbey or there are more bike trails if desired and for those seeking a siesta there is a lovely river to snooze beside.
Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.
Hôtel La Fargo

Day 7 Lagrasse - a circular ride (60kms - 36 miles)

Today we head south towards the Pyrenees and into the wildest and least-travelled part of the Corbières. The castle at Villerouge-Termenès is well preserved in spite of having being besieged and taken by the infamous Simon de Monfort during the Albigensian Crusades. Amidst the lovely landscape of limestone crags and hills carpeted in maquis, the vineyards advance tenaciously across every sun-bleached hectare of arable ground. The Corbières are the badlands of France and its unique fascination comes from traversing hauntingly empty spaces. Such a space will be our picnic spot, perhaps under a tree beside the Orbieu river. The afternoon is easier as we descend through the Gorges de l'Orbieu back towards Lagrasse.
There is an excellent wine cellar in the area and some fine wines to sample.
Hôtel La Fargo

Day 8 Lagrasse - Nissan (70kms: 43miles)

We have the longest ride today - although fairly flat and everyone will be in tip-top condition! - and so following a hearty breakfast we head on through the 'Corbières' wine region: essentially garrigue-covered limestone hills that represent the foothills of the Pyrenean mountains. The route takes us along plane tree-lined roads with views over to ruined, and restored, medieval castles. In the ancient Roman city of Narbonne we'll stop to visit the fabulous covered market (Les Halles). Here we will stock up on fresh breads, cheese, olives, fruits, quiche, wine and other delicacies for a picnic lunch. Our picnic stop will depend upon our progress, if we are making good time we can head for the Mediterranean and picnic on the beach. This feast should set us up for the last kilometres to Nissan Lez Ensérune where we return to our first hotel. Tonight we celebrate in style at a local restaurant.
Hôtel La Residence