Languedoc, Mediterranean and Camargue – 7 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 6 Nights
Distance: 25 Miles/day average
Dates:Mar 22; Apr 5, 19; May 3, 17, 31; Jun 14; Aug 30; Sep 13, 27; Oct 11, 2015 (minimum 8 participants)
Tour price: €1110
Start city: Montpellier, France
End city: Montpellier, France
Tour Description
The tour begins in elegant Montpellier. This typical Mediterranean city is not far from the blue sea and its sandy beaches. The centre of Montpellier is full of medieval monuments and of those from the Renaissance and Classicism periods. Its university of medicine is the oldest in the world. This town also has one of the richest museums of France. Lovely squares and many restaurants and cafés invite you to appreciate the Mediterranean way of life.
This tour then takes you on to Sommières, a nice medieval town on the Vidourle River crossed by a 2000 year old Roman bridge. A little paradise and lovely villages await you after Sommières, this region is called “Vaunage”. Its inhabitants were Protestants and led a bloody rebellion against the “not so sunny” Louis XIV from 1703 to 1705 and unfortunately paid a heavy tribute.
On the way to Nîmes, with its numerous Roman monuments, you ride through vineyards and the Mediterranean scrubland landscape called the “Garrigue”. After the Roman town you will ride along the Rhône-Sète Canal through the untouched saltmarshes and inland lakes of the Camargue to the medieval walled town of Aigues-Mortes. From Aigues-Mortes, you ride along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea back to Montpellier.
This tour is easy to ride and principally flat, except some very easy climbs.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Montpellier Day 2: Montpellier – Sommières (25 miles/40 km) Day 3: Sommières – Nîmes (19 miles/30 km) Day 4: Nîmes – Aigues-Mortes (30 miles/50 km) Day 5: Aigues-Mortes – Camargue – Aigues-Mortes (19 miles/30 km) Day 6: Aigues-Mortes – Montpellier (30 miles/50 km) Day 7: End of the tour Included Services: Guided Please note: Bike Rentals: Guided All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
Arrival in the one of the nicest towns of France, Montpellier. 3-star hotel, dinner in an excellent restaurant in the old centre.
Overnight in Montpellier.
Cycle through the impressive landscapes of the Languedoc and little villages to Castries with one of the nicest castles of the Languedoc, called the “Versailles of Languedoc”. Then to Sommières, a little medieval town where a Roman bridge crosses the Vidourle river. Stay at a lovely 2-star hotel and a very good restaurant in the town.
Overnight in Sommières.
You cross today the famous region of the Vaunage, where the Protestants fought against the troops of King Louis XIVth from 1703 to 1705 with heavy losses. Romantic villages accompany you to Nîmes, the “Rome of Gaule”. Visit of the old town and the numerous Roman monuments. Stay at a marvellous 3-star hotel in a historic building (16th century) and dinner in an excellent restaurant.
Overnight in Nîmes.
Ride through the “Little Camargue” and along the Rhône-Sète Canal across some little villages to Aigues-Mortes, a totally preserved town of the Middle Ages, surrounded by water, Camargue and the salt tables. Stay in a 3-star and have dinner in a very good restaurant. Possible to book a room in a beautiful 4-star hotel (Villa Mazarin); for an additional fee.
Overnight in Aigues-Mortes.
Cycle through the “Little Camargue” and along the Rhône-Sète Canal through some little villages to Aigues-Mortes, a totally preserved town from the Middle Ages, surrounded by water, Camargue and the salt tables. Stay in a 3-star with very good restaurant or for a supplement surcharge book a night in a beautiful hotel 4-star hotel.
Overnight in Aigues-Mortes.
You’ll discover the coast, the sandy beaches and the Rhône-Sète Canal meandering through the lakes. Stop for a drink in the busy little fishing port of Le Grau du Roi before arriving in the seaside resort of La Grande Motte. Later in the day return to Montpellier. Stay at a 3-star hotel in one of the nicest hotels in town and eat dinner in one of the best restaurants (2 Michelin Forks), a real gastronomic highlight again!
Overnight in Montpellier.
Depart after breakfast, or add extra nights to your booking
Tourist’s tax must be paid with cash directly to each hotel for participants on the self-guided option. But for the guided tours the tourist tax is included!
Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it is a universal seat post.
Helmets are available to rent for 5 Euros. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.
