Cycling Holiday Pays de Bastides Albi - Cordes sur Ciel

Light Cycling Holiday Bastides Albigeois from Plaisance
Plaisance, Albi, Bruniquel, Cordes sur Ciel, Plaisance.

Albi, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Albi, Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
Albi, Lapérouse Museum.
Albi, Cathedral Ste Cécile.

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.

Cathedral of Albi

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 colors, 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.

Gaillac

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.

Light tour : 28 - 48 km a day (last stage however 62km).

Albi

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 and Chambre d'Hôtes de Charme 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.

Musee Toulouse Lautrec Albi

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' 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 1 night in **** hotel Saint Antoine in Albi, a night in Puycelsi or Bruniquel and one night in Cordes-sur-Ciel.

For booking please complete our booking form .

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