A wonderful cycling tour experience across all the south of France. This 12 day long guided bike trip will take you from Gruissan to Arcachon and expose your to a kaleidoscope of beautiful landscapes, wine areas, cultural highlights, gastronomy, bike fun and nice weather. The tour starts in Gruissan, a scenic and authentic former fishing village near Narbonne. After a last swim in the Mediterranean Sea we hit the road through the Corbières wine area to the Medieval City of Carcassonne. The next day will take us for a ride through the southern hills of the Montagne Noire to the Lake of St Ferréol. Gaillac will be our next destination. The valley of the Tarn and the slightly wooded Montauban area will lead us to the Moissac region and its traditions. After an overnight in charming Monflanquin, located between forest hills and the Lot river, we will pedal through the scenic Dordogne area to Sarlat-la-Canéda, capital of Black Périgord. More gentle bike routes through multi-faceted landscapes will bring us to Bergerac. The Dordogne river will be our guide to lead us to St Emilion. We leave the Bordeaux vineyards behind us and cross the Garonne river to reach Arcachon, our final destination at the Atlantic and dip in the sea to authenticate your traverse!		"The trip exceeded my expectations in just about every way. It was awesome and challenging to be alone on a bike in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure who is in good health." – B. Van Hook

Day 1:Arrival day. A transfer from the Narbonne TGV station will take you to the initial accommodation in Gruissan. Bike fitting and check by bike mechanic. Welcoming drink and briefing on the program. In function of the time left, you can enjoy the charming old village of Gruissan, proud of its history and tradition. The village is located in a natural site surrounded by salt lakes and a deserted beach. (D)

Day 2: Gruissan – Ile Ste Lucie – Port-la-Nouvelle – Sigean – Portel-des-Corbières –Ripaud – Thézan-des-Corbières – Ferrals-les-Corbières – Fontcouverte – Moux – Capendu – Marseillette – Trèbes – Carcassonne.
A gentle ride w/o any difficulty through the Corbières wine area to the Medieval City of Carcassonne. The Cité (Walled City) is a fortified medieval town, included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List. After a walk through the Cité, we’ll enjoy a regional dish in an authentic local restaurant. Our hotel is located at about 500 m from the Porte Narbonnaise, being the main access to the Cité. (B,D)

Day 3: Carcassonne – Canal du Midi – Montolieu – Saissac – Durfort – Saint Ferréol
The Canal du Midi, included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List, is a fantastic engineering work. The idea was to link the Garonne river (Atlantic Ocean) with the Mediterranean Sea, a 240 km long canal, built with the topographical know-how of the XVII th century ! The ride takes us through the smooth hills of the western Montagne Noir National Park. (B,D)

Day 4: Saint Ferréol – Puylaurens – Graulet – Lasgraisses – Gaillac
A gentle ride to Gaillac, a more than 1000 year old town, surrounded by wine areas. (B,D)

Day 5: Gaillac – Bruniquel – Aveyron valley – Lafrançaise - Moissac
Bruniquel « one of the most beautiful villages of France » is a unique castle town, renowned for the Offenbach festivals. In Moissac, a scenic pilgrimage town on the Compostella route, we will be accommodated in a former mill. (B,D)

Day 6: Lauzerte – Tournon-d’-Agenais – Fumel – Monflanquin.
Nature is characterized by forests, hills and picturesque valleys. A sporty ride, awarded with a stay in a small vacation resort with a nice pool. (B,D)

Day 7: Rest day - time to explore or take your bike out on a short loop ride. (B,D)

Day 8: Monpazier – Belvès – Castelnaud – La Roque Gageac - Sarlat.
Scenic landscapes will accompany you to the Dordogne valley and the historical town of Sarlat-la-Canédà: an exceptionally preserved city with more than 1000 years of history and an exceptional number of classified historical houses. Our accommodation is located on the outskirts of the old town. (B,D)

Day 9: Sarlat – les Eyzies – Mauzac – Bergerac
Les Eyzies is the world capital of pre-history and hosts the National Museum of prehistory. Bergérac, a place of dreams, is famous for its wines, local specialities and recipes. The Périgord area is characterized by vineyards, castles, walled cities, regional products, fortresses, grottoes and gardens. The area has a strong reputation for its “art de vivre”. (B,D)

Day 10: Bergerac – la Force – Villefranche-de-Lonchat – Lussac – Saint-Emilion
Scenic routes through the Périgord Regional National Parc and vineyards will bring you to St Emilion. St Emilion: a beautiful medieval town, steep hilly cobblestoned streets, ancient limestone buildings and exquisite wines (B,D)

Day 11: Targon – Tourne Langoiran – La Brede – Saucats – le Barp – Facture -Arcachon
We leave St Emilion on heading for the Landes. Arcachon, our final destination at the Arcachon Basin (hotel on the beach promenade). A seafood meal on the terrace in front of the beach promenade is the best place to review your bike adventure. (B,D)

Day 12: Departure after breakfast. Return transfer to Bordeaux airport or rail station in the morning. (B)

The trip includes: 11 nights accommodations in charming 3 star inns, all breakfasts, 11 dinners, bag transfers, routes, maps and descriptions, guide support service and SAG support van, arrival transfer from Narbonne and departure transfer to Bordeaux. We also include free travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers.

Bike Rentals: 105 euros (click to view) Scott Sportster P3 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included. Merckx racing bikes available also see Cycling Classics for specs under Rental Bikes. LaPierre tandems also available for rent on this tour for 205 euros. See link.

Scott Sportster P3 hyrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region for 2008, certainly so for self-guided travelers!

Supplemental Nights: to be determined - please inquire.

Optional Services:
Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.