Cycling Holiday Albigeois in Tarn: Albi, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Puycelsi, Najac,
Cordes sur Ciel, Bruniquel, St. Antonin Noble Val.

• 5 to 10 days (arrival day and last day (with breakfast) included) self guided cycling hotel-tour with baggage transfer.

  Packages

  Day programs

  Prices

  
  
• Superior hotels *** and **** and 1 or 2 Chambres d'Hôtes de Charme ***.
• All dinners (except in Albi) included, beverages not included.
• Optional:  extra nights in any of the hotels of the package for a restday or an extra cycling day.
  From Najac you can make a nice loop via Villefranche-de-Rouergue!
• Short to medium lenght; light hilly stages in a rolling coutryside with lots of medieval towns.
• You can start this tour any day of the week between March 15^th and October 31^th.
• Bike rental possible, electric bikes too!
   
• You can also book a plus package of this tour. Click here for all details.

Albi, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
On the banks of the Tarn river in south-west France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination of a medieval architectural and urban ensemble.

Today the Old Bridge (Pont-Vieux), the Saint-Salvi quarter and its church are testimony to its initial development (10th -11th centuries). Following the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heretics (13th century) it became a powerful episcopal city. Built in a unique southern French Gothic style from local brick in characteristic red and orange colours, the lofty fortified Cathedral (late 13th century) dominates the city, demonstrating the power regained by the Roman Catholic clergy. Alongside the Cathedral is the vast bishop’s Palais de la Berbie, overlooking the river and surrounded by residential quarters that date back to the Middle Ages. The Episcopal City of Albi forms a coherent and homogeneous ensemble of monuments and quarters that has remained largely unchanged over the centuries.

This cycling holiday starts on the quiet roads of the Gaillac vineyards West of Albi. You then head North through rolling countryside, visiting wonderfully preserved fortified villages (Bastides), the most famous of which is hill-top Cordes-sur-Ciel. These walled settlements, with grid-pattern streets and handsome squares, are now beautiful reminders of the great conflicts of the Middle Ages. More to North you will head to Najac the famous fortress in Aveyron where you can even bike to Villefranche de Rouergue in the 10 days trip.

Click here to see some pictures of your cycling tour in Tarn, Albi & Bastides

Light tour :  28 - 48 km a day. (longer distances up to 70 km a day are possible).
Tours of  6 - 9 days superior accommodations (*** and one or two ** hotels) and 5 options for an extension in any of the regular hotels of this tour.

In some of the superior hotels of a less known department (Tarn) of France we propose a high quality cycling holiday tour. Medieval villages with famous names and beautiful castles, Gaillac vineyards, and the Gorges de l'Aveyron:  a light cycling tour made up to discover this historically interesting part of France.

Accommodations: *** hotels, one Chambre d'hôtes de Charme with equal standard one **** B&B hotel in Albi. The hotels chosen for this tour are small nicely restored mansions in medieval village of which 4 are labeled l'un des plus beau villages de France: one of the 100 nicest villages of France.  
 

Good accessibility (railway) from the airport of Toulouse and (UK travellers Ryanair) the Airport of Rodez.

Winding river valleys, empty roads with just the occasional tractor. Gorgeous Gaillac wines,  plus the culture and old city of Albi, with its museums and art galleries, its markets and medieval city centre. Albi is the perfect start of a  holiday. Rolling countryside, with half-timbered houses and the walled 'Bastides' (Najac and Villefranche de Rouergue) that go back to the time of the Plantagenet Kings. Easy to escape down meandering  back roads and not see a soul for hours.
You will stay 2 nights in **** hotel Antoine in Albi,  a night in Puycelsi or Bruniquel with its two castles from where you will go to St. Antonin Noble Val. Najac ("L'un des plus beau villages de France").Villefranche de Rouergue will be your destination if you take an extra day in Najac. Last but not least one or two nights in the tower and highest point of Cathars city Cordes sur Ciel, an unforgettable place to stay. In this small hotel you can buy Le Jacquard Français.

 

For booking please complete our booking form.

Click here to see some pictures of your cycling tour in Tarn, Albi & Bastides