French Pyrenees

Road Cycling Tour from $3,136 NZD

Show currencies in:

USD GBP EUR AUD NZD

* Prices may vary with exchange rates and the terms of your credit card.
9 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: June - July
  • 30 Jan to 07 Feb $84NZD $168NZD
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Trace the history of the Tour de France by riding the best-known passes of the Pyrenees. You'll be on a high — literally!

Join us for an epic challenge, traversing from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean at high altitude over this majestic mountain range.

You'll start gently enough in the Spanish Basque Country. Then it's pure exhilaration. You'll zig-zag over narrow roads, tunnels and countless hairpins, ticking off the famous Tour passes. These include Col d’ Aubisque, the (in)famous Col du Tourmalet and the Col de Portet Aspet, to name a few.

San Sebastián to Perpignan

Biarritz
  • Road cycling
  • Grade
  • Tour price subject to minimum numbers
  • EUR450 single room surcharge
  • This tour is invoiced in EUR
Print page

image title

French Pyrenees Fitness and Preparation

After you've conquered the cols, you'll finish by following the River Tech to the Mediterranean coast.

This tour is ideal for groups with differing abilities. Riders need good fitness and a sense of adventure. And while each day offers a challenge for strong riders, many will prefer to spend a little more time soaking up the incredible views from the support vehicle!

There are hot springs on the way, to soak those hard-working muscles.

We provide all food, lodging and ground transport. You'll stay in 4 star hotels, cosy guest houses and stylish log cabins.

Moderate Tours

Moderate tours have an expectation that you have an interest and regularly participate in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains. Moderate tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise three-four times a week leading up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: San Sebastián (Spain)

No cycling

Welcome to San Sebastián, in the Spanish Basque Country. Your tour starts here! If you are arriving via. the international airport in the nearby town of Irun, we recommend using the TGV (fast train) to San Sebastián. We will meet you at the train station or the San Sebastián (domestic) airport and transfer you to our hotel. This evening we'll get together for a welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

San Sebastián to Musculdy

Cycling/Elevation: 105 km/1700 m up

This morning we drive to the fortified Basque fishing port Hondarribia (French: Fontarrabie) with its many tapas bars. Then: our first bike ride, along the French border. We cross into French Basque Country with a short climb over the Col de Lizuniaga (230 m), and ride quiet roads through the village of Sare. Then we warm up our hill legs with a short climb over Col de Pinodieta (176 m). The final ascent is over Col d'Osquich (495 m), which the Tour de France crossed in 2006. The climb is 350 m up over 12 km, and ends with a great downhill finish into Musculdy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Musculdy to Argelès-gazost

Cycling/Elevation: 124 km/2800 m up (7 hours riding)

From Musculdy, ride a hilly road to the French village of Escot. Then, it's an 11 km climb up the Col de Marie Blanque (1035 m), included in the Tour de France 11 times. Then, descend to the village of Bielle on a narrow road through fantastic scenery, and stop for some lunch. Next, a 17 km ascent to the Col d'Aubisque (1709 m), featured in almost all Tour de France races since 1910. On the descent we take a coffee break at the famous Hôtel des Cartes Blanches before the last, but short obstacle, the Col du Soulor (1464 m). There's a glorious 20 km descent to our hotel in Argelès-Gazost.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

Argelès-gazost to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan

Cycling/Elevation: 54 km/2270 m up (4–5 hours riding)

A shorter distance today, with time to take in the awe-inspiring scenery. First, a 1400 m climb up the Col du Tourmalet (2115 m). The Peloton has crossed this pass 47 times, and in 1974 it hosted a stage finish. The top is a true wilderness. Some people ride part way in the vehicle, allowing more time for a hike up the imposing Pic du Midi (2877 m) with its powerful observatory. We can also visit the memorial for Jacques Goddet, Tour de France director for 51 years to 1987. For an exhilarating end to the day there's a 17 km descent (1270 m) to the village of Ste-Marie-de-Campan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Ste-Marie-de-Campan to Sauveterre

Cycling/Elevation: 95 km/1700 m up (5 hours riding)

This morning we climb the Col d'Aspin (1489 m), which has featured in the Tour de France 47 times. Then, it's the Col de Peyresourde (1569 m, 40 Tour appearances). After these two shortish climbs (approx 6-8 km each), it's mainly downhill. The descent from the Peyresourde is an exciting 15 km run. We then roll out of the mountains to the village of Sauveterre for a relaxing evening in the warmth of the foothills. Tonight we stay in a guest house with a cosy atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

Sauveterre to Mercus-Garrabet

Cycling/Elevation: 135 km/2800 m up (7.5 hours riding)

We start with smaller cols, then the Col des Ares (797 m) and the Col de Buret (599 m). After 30 km, a van ride might be the order of the day. Keener cyclists could tackle the Col de Portet d'Aspet (1069 m), with a long descent to St Girons for lunch. The Gallo-Roman ramparts of nearby St Lizier are a highlight. There's good coffee, good breweries, and great views of iconic peaks. For those still keen, we have 65 km to go, including the very gradual Col de Port (594 m up over 14 km); another Tour regular. The 19 km descent takes us to the Ariège river valley and to our log chalets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Mercus-Garrabet to Molitg-Les-Bains

Cycling/Elevation: 140 km/2800 m up (7.5 hours riding)

This morning we backtrack to Tarascon sur Ariège and head to Ax-les-Thermes with its hot springs. Then we ride about 40 km over Col du Chioula and Col Ferret to stunning Col de Marmare (1361 m) and nearby Prades. Then it's an incredible 50 km downhill, intercepted by a short climb up the Col de Sept Freres (1253 m) and lunch in medieval Quillan. Spend more time there, or ride our final big climb: the Col de Jau (1506 m). Then, it's down to the Têt Valley, with its Mediterranean feel. We'll stay near the Massif du Canigou in Molitg-Les-Bains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Departure Day: St Cyprien to Perpignan, France

No cycling

It's time to say 'au revoir' to your guide and other tour members. Many of you will have completed much climbing. All of you will have visited most of the famous cols of the Tour de France, and experienced the wild beauty of the Pyrenees. After breakfast, time to pack your bike for the drive to Perpignan. We'll transfer you to the airport or train station, where you can catch the famous TGV to Paris or other exciting destinations.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Molitg-Les-Bains to St Cyprien

Cycling/Elevation: 100 km/1700 m up (5.5 hours riding)

This morning we follow the river Têt to its reservoir. We explore the Massif du Canigou, the last mountain between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, and the divide between the Têt and Tech rivers. We head south on a narrow road with a steep descent from Taulis to Amélie les Bains (230 m). This town, famous for its sulphur springs, is a great stop for a late lunch. Now it's just a scenic 30 km cruise to our final destination: the beach of St Cyprien. After a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean, we head for our hotel and our Farewell Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

I'm Nathalie, talk to me about your French cycling holiday!

Nathalie_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour includes:

  • 8 nights in 2-4 star hotels, log chalets, guesthouses as per itinerary
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Snacks and drinking water available in support van
  • Support van and luggage transport
  • Transfer from and to the train station in San Sebastian and Perpignan
  • Experienced tour guide

Tour excludes:

  • International flights
  • Bike Rental not available for this tour
  • TGV train to San Sebastian and from Perpignan
  • Drinks & Favourite snack bars (e.g. Power Bar, etc.)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Passport or Travel Visa Requirements

Tour Video

The French Pyrenees were explored by a group of like-minded recreational road cyclists in June 2009. This movie gives a taste of what you can expect on tour.