Challenging Cycling holiday in South Aveyron, South of France

More pictures on Pays de Roquefort.

South of the Tarn river, water acting on the limestone plateaux created caves, subterranean rivers, gushing springs.The most famous of the caves is now still used for the ripening of sheep cheese: Roquefort, king of cheeses, cheese of kings.

Pays de Roquefort also includes the Causse du Larzac with its restored Medieval Templars garrisons from where crusades set out in 10th-13th centuries, and the Redlands of Camarès with its Cistercienzer Abbaye de Sylvanès. St.Affrique, a small Southern town, is the starting place of many walks in this walking area. The landscape exudes peace and unspoiled natural beauty.

In this part of (Southern France, "le midi") genuine countryside and "La France profonde"still exist. Here le "Midi" (South of France) begins: A nice climate, : mountains, limestone plateaus (Causses), lush green valleys, roaring rivers (Sorgues, Dourdou). Lots of small villages here. No fast food here, but the French cuisine, honest food in small family-run hotels where you will get a warm welcome.

More pictures of Gorges and Causses.

The second part of this trip, you will go to the Gorges (canyons) and causses (limestone plateaus).

East of Millau the Tarn river and its tributaries carved out 4 canyon like Gorges: Gorges de la Dourbie, Gorges de la Jonte, Gorges du Trèvezel and the most famous of all the Gorges du Tarn. These Gorges are at the heart of the most spectacular cycling area of the Grands Causses Natural Parc. Steep crags of 400m and the typical scenery of limestone plateaux dissected by rivers. You can visit the Grotte Rose of Dargilan, the unusual scenery of the Causses (Le Chaos de Montpellier le Vieux and Roques Altes).