French Pyrenees
The yellow jersey of the Tour de France has often been decided during the climbs of the Pyrenees mountain passes. This mountain chain, a natural border between France and Spain, is a beautiful scenic area with a variety of harsh contrast landscapes. It is a fantastic ski destination in winter and spa/resort destination at all seasons. The mountains are much lower than the Alpes, but just as steep if not steeper at times! You travel from Argelès Gazost at the foot of Col d'Aubisque, Hautacam and Toumalet to Foix via Saint Girons and Luchon.
BIKE INCLUDED
Region : Pyrenees
Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level :
Type : On the way
Category : Bike
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Hybrid
Dates : Starts any day
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day 1 : Arrive in Argelès Gazost
You will have a phone orientation with our office. We will cover the cycling and route book materials, and help you get started right. Free time is yours to visit this charming spa & resort town. Stay in a beautiful hotel in Argelès Gazost.
Accommodation : Le Miramont - "Argelès Gazost"
Day 2 : L'Aubisque & Hautacam
Distance 1 : 63 Miles - 102 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 3356 Meters
L'Aubisque & Hautacam, from the hotel you don't have far to go before you start up these two famous routes of the Tour. The Aubisque and Soulor average over 7% with a good part over 8%. Returning back you have the option to go on to ride Hautacam. A 13km climb of about 8% brings you up to 1520m (4560 feet), a popular ski resort. Stay in the same hotel in Argelès Gazost.
Accommodation : Le Miramont - "Argelès Gazost"
Day 3 : Col du Tourmalet
Distance 1 : 62 Miles - 100 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 2355 Meters
The Col du Tourmalet via Bagneres de Bigorre and up past St Marie de Campan and La Mongie. With a long descent arrive at Luz St Sauveur and return to the hotel in Argeles for a very long day of cycling.
Accommodation : Le Miramont - "Argelès Gazost"
Day 4 : Tourmalet, Aspin & Peyresourdre
Option 1 : 64 Miles - 103 Km
Option 2 : 69 Miles - 111 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 3309 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 3491 Meters
Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourdre at about 110km and 3300 meters elevation gain, this is a hard day over some classic climbs of the Tour de France. Finish in the charming town of Bagneres de Luchon. The long ascent of the Tourmalet is 18km at 8%! Stay in a beautiful hotel in Bagnères de Luchon.
Accommodation : Le Panoramic - "Bagneres de Luchon"
Day 5 : Cols Mente & Portet d'Aspet
Option 1 : 48 Miles - 78 Km
Option 2 : 70 Miles - 113 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 1541 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 2741 Meters
2 ride options today - longer or shorter. Both options include the Cols Mente and Portet d'Aspet. The hardest points on the climbs go over 12%. Finish in St Girons. Stay in a beautiful hotel in Saint Girons. Breakfast.
Accommodation : Eychennes - "Saint Girons"
Day 6 : Col de Port & Col des Caougnous
Option 1 : 47 Miles - 75 Km
Option 2 : 72 Miles - 116 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 1701 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 2821 Meters
A long and challenging day over some big climbs! Again over 2400 meters in climbing including the Col de Port and Col des Caougnous. A long and short ride option exist again to reach Foix. Once in Foix, you are back to a larger town with more sites and services. Stay in a hotel in Foix.
Accommodation : Hotel de Lons - "Foix"
Day 7 : Departure Day
Departure after breakfast – on your own; taxi to the Foix train station for connections in Toulouse. Additional days are possible and additional ride days can be arranged.
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day : 1, 2, 3
Argeles-Gazost, city of Pyrenees National Park, is the ideal starting point to discover most important attractions (Gavarnie, Cauterets, mystic mountain pass roads, Pyrenees Animal Park, Eagles' Dungeon...). It offer easy access to winter sports at main resorts like Cauterets, Luz-Ardiden, Barèges-la Mongie, and resorts for families such as Hautacam or to Nordic ski resort Val d'Azun or to feel peace before praying in Lourdes. Our chef, Pierre PUCHEU invites you to share his passion for Pyrenees in his restaurant Le Casaou. Using fresh market produce, he offers a delightful, gourmet, and amazing experience with moderate price.
Day : 4
The hotel is located in the heart of the famous spa-resort Bageres de Luchon, opposite the chusrc and within easy walking distance from the Allees d Etigny, the "champs Elysees" of Luchon
Day : 5
Hotel: Whether single, double or family suite, all our rooms are different. Decorated with antique furniture with the patina of history, they recall the ambience of family homes of yesteryear. Bathroom, television and free WiFi in all rooms. Animals welcome. Restaurant : Refinement, simplicity and taste meet in the chef's creations, whether for the fixed-price menus or "à la carte". Other than the fish which doesn't come from our Ariège mountains, our kitchen staff works with only the best fresh, local products. And wine lovers will be delighted with Michel Bordeau's fine cellar.
Day : 6
The Lons family have been running this Logis de France with loving care for over half a century. A former coaching inn, nestled in the heart of the Cité Comtale, it is only a five minutes walk from the Castle of Foix, the historic fortress reminiscent of the influence of such noble men as the Earl of Foix, Raymond Roger, Gaston Phoebus, or Henri de Navarre. A toll-free WiFi connection is available. At the back, the river Ariege gently flows into the Toulouse plains, overlooked by the Pech, where the Cathar path arrives. In the front, the Place Dutilh, formerly the Market square, unspoiled, with its old fountain and sixteenth and seventeenth century houses. Every morning, from 7 to 10 a.m., a buffet breakfast is waiting for you on the restaurant veranda. At the Reception desk, Sandrine or Jean-Baptiste will welcome you and answer all your enquiries, requests for touristic informations, bookings, taxi or hiring transport
Bikes available for your tour |
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The SCOTT Addict 20 was redesigned from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With new geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 20 will be your go to when you're looking to put the miles.
Saddle Bag Containing:
Road bike - Standard
SCOTT ADDICT 20 - ( or equivalent) INCLUDED 
The all-new TREK Emonda SLR 7 is the lightest model of the American Brand. Equipped with the Shimano Ultegra Di2 transmission, the gear shift is faster and more precise. Available sizes : XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Road bike - Premium
TREK EMONDA SLR7 - ( or equivalent) with supplement (140€) |
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The characteristics of this bike are presented as an example and are not guaranteed Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee. |
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Road bike - Standard
SCOTT ADDICT 20 - ( or equivalent)
INCLUDED
The SCOTT Addict 20 was redesigned from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With new geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 20 will be your go to when you're looking to put the miles.
- All sizes available: S, M, L, XL.XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XLX
Saddle Bag Containing:
- Toolkit,
- Tire levers
- Patch kit
- 2 spare tubes
- 1 hand pump.
- Rear pannier
- Helmet
- Odometer
- Lock
- 2 souvenir water bottles
- Pedals (flat or cages on request). You can bring your own pedals to clip in but remember to bring a pedal wrench to take them off at the end of the tour.
Accessories
INCLUDED
Roadbook for Discovery allows you to travel freely with all the information you need for your trip: Stages, points of interest, itineraries with interactive guidance, travel documents.
All in offline mode, you download your file before leaving, then you have all the information necessary for your trip. (Phone not provided).
INCLUDED
Our roadbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our roadbooks even better. Our roadbooks include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow step by step directions (cue-sheets). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.
INCLUDED
Our Travelbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. You will find information about the hotels, itinerary, regional informations...
Option 1: 63 Miles - 102 Km Elevation gain 1 : 3356 Meters
Option 1: 62 Miles - 100 Km Elevation gain 1 : 2355 Meters
Option 1: 64 Miles - 103 Km Elevation gain 1 : 3309 Meters
Option 2: 69 Miles - 111 Km Elevation gain 2 : 3491 Meters
Option 1: 48 Miles - 78 Km Elevation gain 1 : 1541 Meters
Option 2: 70 Miles - 113 Km Elevation gain 2 : 2741 Meters
Option 1: 47 Miles - 75 Km Elevation gain 1 : 1701 Meters
Option 2: 72 Miles - 116 Km Elevation gain 2 : 2821 Meters
Included
- 6 nights of accommodation in superior hotels of charm with private shower and/or bath
- Daily breakfast at each hotel, 2 dinners included
- Orientation by phone
- Road bike rental included
- Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
Guidance Application (phone not provided)
- All luggage transfers
- Comprehensive trip literature
- Technical and emergency support available at all times
What's not included
- Airfare to and from the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Drinks
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
Informations & Recommendations
From Paris, take a train from the Montparnasse train station or CDG train station to Lourdes train station (8h). Or, take a direct flight from Paris Orly to Lourdes (1h20min). Once in Lourdes, take a taxi to your hotel in Argeles Gazost. Or, take a direct flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to Toulouse Blagnac airport (1h10min). Once in Toulouse, take connection train for Lourdes and then taxi to Argeles sur Gazost.
Tour rates
Contact our tour consultants for more information and an exact rate based upon your travel dates.
| Price from* & per person | Double occupancy | Single supplement (traveling with a group) | Solo traveler (traveling alone) |
| Standard | 1590 € | 160 € | 2260 € |
This tour is available at any day from the 1st of May to the end of October.
Accessories
| Accessories | |
| Guidance Application | Included |
| Biking Roadbook | Included |
| Travelbook | Included |
Bikes available
| Bikes available | Options per person |
| Road Bike Rental | |
| Standard | Included |
| Premium | 140 € |
| I bring my bike | Discount of -90€ if you ride with your own bicycle. |
Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee.
Services available
| Services available | |
| Cancelation insurance | 6% |
| Luggage transfer | |
| On a 2-person basis | 155 €/pers |
Casual : Beginners and occasional cyclists. Easiest tours we provide. Typically flatter terrain, no notable hills or anything of a steep gradient.
Hobby : Weekend riders. People with some cycling experience, rolling countryside, possible short climbs.
Active : Cyclists with experience on longer rides. Hilly terrain with reasonable amount of climbs and difficulty
Pro : Avid cyclists, ride every week and love long and challenging rides. Dream on riding the Tour de France cols.
Comparison chart : (15km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 28 | < 45 | < 300m | 3-4 |
| Hobby |
18 - 35 | 30 - 55 | 300-550m | 3-5 |
| Active |
30 - 60 | 50 - 100 | 550-1000m | 4-6 |
| Pro |
> 60 | > 100 | > 1000m | > 5 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions
Casual : Beginners and occasional hikers. Typically flatter terrain with just rolling hills.
Hobby : Weekend hikers. People with some experience hiking around trails.
Active : Hikers with experience on longer hikes. Hilly terrain with some steep gradients.
Pro : Randonneurs avides, randonnée chaque semaine et adore les longues et difficiles randonnées.
Comparison chart : (4km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 6 | < 10 | < 150m | 2.5 |
| Hobby |
6 - 9 | 10 - 15 | 150-300m | 25-375 |
| Active |
9 - 11 | 11 - 18 | 300-450m | 3.75 - 4.5 |
| Pro |
> 11 | > 18 | > 450m | 4.5-6 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions