From the famous climbs of the Tour de France to the serene paths along the Canal du Midi, the Pyrenees offer a stunning backdrop for all levels of cyclists. This majestic mountain range separates Spain from France, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, creating a diverse and breathtaking region perfect for Pyrenees cycling tours.
Pyrenees bike tours showcase the region’s unparalleled natural beauty. From towering peaks to rolling countryside, cyclists can explore lush valleys and picturesque landscapes. Highlights include the vibrant cultural capital of southern France, Toulouse, with its iconic red-brick architecture, and the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site that transports you back in time.
For those seeking a challenge, the Pyrenees boast legendary climbs made famous by the Tour de France, such as the Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque. These routes test even the most seasoned cyclists while rewarding them with spectacular views and a sense of accomplishment. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, cycling trips in the Pyrenees offer gentler rides along scenic routes, including the renowned Canal du Midi, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the waterways and shaded paths lined with plane trees.
Pyrenees cycling holidays cater to all preferences, whether you’re an avid cyclist looking for high-altitude challenges or a casual rider seeking to soak in the region’s charm. The area’s charming villages, rolling vineyards, and rustic countryside provide a perfect setting for relaxation and exploration. Along the way, you’ll encounter warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and delicious local cuisine that adds depth to your journey.
Experience the thrill of biking in the Pyrenees, where every turn reveals new vistas and opportunities for adventure. From exhilarating climbs to peaceful countryside paths, Pyrenees bicycle tours promise unforgettable memories. Discover why this region is a favorite for cycling holidays in the Pyrenees, blending nature, history, and the joy of cycling in one of France’s most spectacular landscapes.
Must to see
The natural border between Spain and France, the Pyrenees are also one of the most appreciated stages of the Tour de France every year. Here you can challenge yourself with some of the most demanding climbs in the country, such as Col d’Aubisque, Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin and the famous Tourmalet! The Pyrenees are also home to some of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, such as Cordes sur Ciel, Saint Antonin Noble Val, and Puycelsi. Following the Gorges of the Aveyron river, you can cycle from one village to another, exploring the gorgeous countryside and stopping at a local restaurant for a delicious lunch and coffee break.
The Pyrenees can be a challenging destination, but don’t worry, we got your back: our e-bikes are perfectly suited to carry you in your next mountain adventure.
The Pyrenees has the most legendary climbs of the Tour de France, introduced to the tour in 1910, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourdre but also Aubisque are famous climbs that you will be able to challenge on our cycling tour.
The beautiful view from the Pic du Midi
The view from the Pic du Midi is breathtaking, with a height of 2876 meters, it is the highest observatory in Europe. Starry Evenings are planned at the Pic du Midi only a few dates throughout the year, astonomy activities are programmed during these special nights.
Pyrenees Natural Park and Natural Thermal Spa
Discover the beauty of the French Pyrenees by visiting the Pyrenees Natural Park with its amazing landscapes, preserved fauna and flora spread on 100km. There are six valleys, each of them having their own personality:
Aspe Valley surrounded by forests
Ossau Valley well-known to be an important site of pastoralism
The Val d’Azun or Arrens Valley with its impressive Pic du Balaïtous
Cauterets Valley with its gorgeous waterfalls
Luz-Gavarnie Valley’s spectacular cirque walls
Aure Valley and Néouvielle Nature Reserve which possess the highest pines in Europe
Natural Thermal Spa
In the Pyrenees, there are many natural thermal spas allowing relaxing activities in a unique environment. For example, Aquensis in Bagneres-de-Bigorre offers a ‘Donkey’s Milk’ bath as Cleopatra used to like, where you can experience the benefits of donkey’s milk in a private spa bath.
Lourdes
Lourdes has become a symbolic place and a major place of pilgrimage and is said to make miraculous spectacular healings. The Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous numerous times in Lourdes in 1858 which created the belief of a sacred place. Every season, many tourists and pilgrims come to Lourdes, they can be as many as 5,000,000 this is why Lourdes is the city with the second-biggest number of hotels, right behind Paris.
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city located in southern France and is called « la ville rose » (the pink city) due to the color of its buildings. It has two UNESCO World Heritage sites which are the Canal Du Midi and the Basilica of St. Sernin because of its link to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. Toulouse offers a great diversity of activities, as in museums like the Contemporary Art Museum which delivers works by many reknowned artists, or monuments dating from the Golden Age of the pastel trade. Be sure not to miss the Capitole with its rich history and culture during your visit.
TOUR DE FRANCE FAMOUS CLIMBS
Col d’Aubisque: This climb is a great spot for winter sports, and is known to be a crossing point for cyclists in summer. It is considered an « hors categorie » climb during the Tour de France, which means that it is a tough climb!
Col de Tourmalet: This is one of the most famous climbs of the Tour de France since the Pyrenees’ introduction to the Tour in 1910, it has been crossed by the Tour 82 times!
Col d’Aspin: This climb is supposed to be easier than the Tourmalet, it is part of the Tour de France mainly because it is located in the middle of a chain of three road climbs and therefore plays the role of link between them.
Col de Peyresourde: The Tour de France came across this climb twice in 2012, this 1569m Col has become a legendary climb on the tour in the Pyrenees.
TO VISIT IN THE PYRENEES
The Pyrenees National Park
Bagneres-de-Luchon, the spa town
Tour de France Classic Climbs
Starry evenings at the Pic du Midi (only a few dates throughout the year)
PYRENEES FESTIVAL AND EVENT INFO
Sacred music festival in Lourdes-Early April
Fourcès Flower Market- End of April
Alors… Chantes!-Montauban-Early May
International Festival of Art in Toulouse; Early May
Cahors Blues Festival, in Cahors-July
Medieval Festivals of the Grand Fauconnier, in Cordes-sur-Ciel-July
Tour de France-July
Circa Circus Festival, in Auch-End of October, Beginning of November
WHAT GOOD ‘STUFF’ CAN YOU EAT
Bayonne Ham (dry ham)
Magret de Canard and Gesiers-Duck Breast and Gizzards
Roquefort and Rocamadour Cheeses
Croustade aux Pommes (apple tart flambeed with the Normandy Calvados or filled with apples and Armagnac-soaked prunes) Piperade Basque (spicy sauce)
PYRENEES GEOGRAPHY
The Midi-Pyrenees region is made of 8 departments: Ariège, Aveyron, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Lot, Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. Located in the southwest of France, the Pyrenees are a great skiing spot during winter and cover a large number of thermal resorts and their mountains form a natural border between Spain and France. They are also well known as having legendary climbs of the Tour de France like Col d’Aubisque, Tourmalet and Col d’Aspin.
HISTORY OF PYRENEES
The Pyrenees are composed of a chain of mountains forming a natural border between Spain and France. It is said that its name comes from mythology and particularly from « Pyrene », the virgin daughter of Bebryx who was taken advantage of by Hercules. After giving birth to a snake, she ran off to the woods in fear of her father’s reaction. Hercules who was gone on one of his Labors, found her and in sadness and remorse of what he had done, laid her corpse on the mountains demanding them to join him in his grief and preserve her name throughout ages. The Pyrenees gather both fauna and flora treasures, they also possess remains of prehistorical age and a lot of cultural heritage.