"The trip exceeded my expectations in just about every way. It was awesome and challenging to be alone on a bike in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure who is in good health." - B. Van Hook

This is a self guided cycling tour, but you are not alone! Learn more!
self guided cycling tours
Tours > Cycling Tours > Languedoc Tours > Montpellier & Backcountry Tour

Montpellier & Backcountry

Discover sunny Languedoc on a fabulous route that takes you way off the beaten tourist path. On this tour we take you immediately into the countryside to the charming village of St Guilhem le Desert with its medieval old town and pedestrian alleys. The cycling will cross vineyards, visit the region icon Pic St Loup, the Lake of Salagou, and take you in the gorges of the l'Herault.

The tour starts with an easy arrival in Montpellier - accessible by train or plane. We meet you and take you to the quiet calms of the countryside. St Guilhem le Desert !

This is one of the best cycling discoveries of the Herault Department with low logistics and very inclusive! Sunny most of the year, it is good just about any time!

Blog reads about this region: St Guilhem | Languedoc Activities | 5 Reasons to Cycle Languedoc | Cycling the Wine regions of Languedoc |


Tour Details


Virtual Tour

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Maps & Profiles

NOTE: Please click on the profile image to see the complete profile in true relief; the thumbnail version below is automatically made small and this distorts the actual relief of the terrain.

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LANGUEDOC_Trip map_Montpellier & Back country

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

Day 2: Loop Tours, your choice of 3 rides(from easy to challenging).: You will do a loop trip from St Guilhem to the Lac du Salagou (Lake Salagou). The lake is itself fairly large with a lot of visitors in the summer, but it is unique with a surrounding of red clay soil; the rocks dating back millions of years. The ride is rolling bypassing many small villages and wine country. Return to St Guilhem, and if you have the energy, walk some of the trails leading out to the surrounding peaks. Ride: 78 km challenging.

You can either ride to the Gorges de l Herault: Varying in depth from 200 to 300 meters, the gorges are a real canyon hollowed out of the heart of the garrigues by the River Herault, its one and only architect. A magnificent sight, and a real oasis in the heart of these arid lands, the Herault Gorges all have their own special characteristics: whether the waters are calm or turbulent, they are, above all, a fascinating spectacle. Ride 51km moderate.
The third option is a shorter ride of 39 km taking you to the Chateau and vineyards of Jonquieres. The soil comes from the local chalky rock (limestone consisting of calcareous fossil skeletal fragments of microscopic algae) of the Larzac Plateau. It is in this terroir that the wines find their fundamental characteristics: power, aroma, and a typical elegance. Return again to St Guilhem tonight.(B,D)

Le Guilhaume d'Orange

2

St Guilhem le Desert

Located 30 minutes Montpellier, on the road to Compostelle, hotel and village will enable visitors t...

DAY 3

Day 3 : Ride to Lauret : After breakfast, you will leave St Guilhem heading towards Lauret. On your way, Saint Etienne d/Issensac and its charming stone bridge (XIVth) and chapel. You will also stop in Brissac, a modest village settlement, but it is nevertheless notable for its 12th century church (listed as a monument historique), and for the castle perched on the rocky outcrop, which dominates and protects the village. Ride 50km. (B,D)

Auberge du Cedre

2

Claret

The Auberge du Cèdre is a very special place ; neither a hotel nor a guesthouse, it is more of a ...

DAY 4

Day 4 : Loop towards Pic St Loup. Stop at the Glass blowing museum to discover the art and many steps followed. You can see the Dolmen of Ferrieres, located nearby village of Ferrieres les Verreries, a Neolithic dolmen dating back to almost 9000 years. Then, discover the surrounding countryside by heading south towards Saint Martin de Londres, with several views on the Pic Saint Loup which is the main peak of the Montpellier backcountry. The Pic Saint Loup is also an area that has its own wine designation because there are the vineyards of very high quality. You can include a stop in one of the wineries for a tasting. Return to Auberge du Cedre and dinner included. Ride 46 km.

Auberge du Cedre

2

Claret

The Auberge du Cèdre is a very special place ; neither a hotel nor a guesthouse, it is more of a ...

DAY 5

Day 5: Ride to Sommieres. Ride first to Claret, famous for its many glass blowers, where the art was created in the 14th century. You could make a stop here in order to visit the glass blowers museum. The first glassblowers in the area arrived in 1280, attracted by the abundant resources of wood in the region. Today you will ride through the vineyards on "le chemin des Verriers" (the glassblowers route). The villages on the chemin des verriers are Claret, Lauret, Sauteyrargues, Vacquieres and Sommieres. Ride 39km. Nice hotel in Sommieres with dinner on your own. (B)

Hotel Pont Romain

2

Sommieres

Between the Gard and Herault departements, in the medieval city of Sommieres, this Inn was a rug fac...

DAY 6

Loop to Nimes. You will use the cycle path called “voie verte” just behind your hotel to Caveirac and will pass through the vineyards. You will see some bulls of Camargue on your way. Then you could enjoy the city center of Nimes, an historic town, with a very old past. The arenas, the square house, “Jardins de la Fontaine” and the tower Magne, these monuments invite you in the roman antiquity. This rich past earned him the nickname "French Rome". You will come back to your hotel by the same way. Ride : 64km.(B)

Hotel Pont Romain

2

Sommieres

Between the Gard and Herault departements, in the medieval city of Sommieres, this Inn was a rug fac...

DAY 7

Day 7 to Montpellier: For your last ride, you will return to Montpellier, capital of the Languedoc region. Built in the 1040s, Montpellier quickly became known for its trade with the Orient, and its medical schools. With winding streets that date back to the Middle Ages and ultra-modern facilities such as the indoor Olympic sized swimming pool, skating rink,planetarium, and tramway system, Montpellier has something for everyone. Your hotel is in the heart of the historic center. You are close to the Triumphal arch, the “Garden of Peru”, which is continuing with the magnificent and huge Aqueduct St Clement and the central square “place de la Comédie” with its Opera. Dinner on your own. Ride: 34km. (B)

Hotel du Palais

2

Montpellier

From private mansions to museums, from lovely little gardens to public squares, the old Montpellier...

DAY 8

Day 8: Departure Day. You are free to leave anytime after breakfast. Extra nights can be arranged. Trains depart in all directions throughout the day. (B)



General Tour Information

Montpellier & Backcountry of the Herault
7 Nights / 8 Days

Dates - This tour can start any day except Sunday.
NEW - for as few as 2 persons

Level - Level 2+ moderate, and slightly above.
Day 2: 51 km
Day 3: 50 km
Day 4: 46 km
Day 5: 39 km
Day 6: 64 km
Day 7: 34 km

Countryside is rolling.

Details - Train: From Paris Gare de Lyon to Montpellier St Roch; 3 hours 20min. Tour depart from Montpellier to Paris same, 3hr 20min. Flights to Montpellier possible from many European cities; from Paris Orly 1 hour 15min.


Book a Hotel in Languedoc
What is self-guided touring?

Misc Info - Self Guided tour. No major difficulties or heavy climbs but sometimes rolling with short hills; ride time is estimated at 4 hours per day.

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Paradis Latin shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

gps and road book for cycling tours in france

The Trip Includes
 7 nights accommodations in charming 2&3 star inns, all breakfasts, 4 dinners, all luggage transfers, routes, maps and descriptions, 1 GPS for 2 persons, arrival transfer from Montpellier to St Guilhem and orientation; emergency phone service to our France office throughout the trip during ride hours, all taxes and associated fees. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.

To learn more about the road books and GPS units we included, visit this link: GPS & Road Book Details

For hotels included in this tour, please see the Itinerary tab; each hotel is shown for each day.

Additional Nights: TBD - please inquire

Tour Rates

Price

Standard - 2 & 3 star lodging

Double Occupancy:

1090 €/person

Triple Occupancy:

1049 €/person

Single Supplement:

222 €

Solo supplement when alone: 474 €.

***Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 105 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer.

(convert to euros)

Photos & Videos

Virtual Tour

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Bike Info

Bike Rentals:
bike rental discover france cycling tours Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region!
Bike Equipment: Scott Sportster P3/P4 or P40 hybrid; see details on this page including a virtual photo tour, specs and all information.

Rental Rate: 105 euros/bike for the duration of the tour. This includes all the gear shown as well as bike delivery, set up, and bike return. Every bike is given an inspection by our mechanics in the bike shop before they go out again. Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over.



Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included in the rental rate of 105 euros.

Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over. Carbon road bikes available as well as children trailers.


You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure, see below. Upon confirmation of your tour we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists, cell phone rental, travel insurance, and more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, a packing list, regional information about sites, culture, regional specialities, important towns and historical sites, general France travel information, bike travel tips, vouchers, train travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!


Other Tours: Travel for this region
Carcassonne Countryside Biking Tour
Languedoc Walking Tour

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