Expand your horizons to this magical destination. Travel beyond your expectations to reach extraordinary rewards. Uncover rich history, unusual gastronomy, little-known wines and a sense of discovery as rare and precious as the landscape itself.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive in Carcassonne and check into the Hotel le Montmorency located just across from the main entrance to the old walled cité.
(B)
Day 2:
Explore the area around Carcassonne - a quiet ride along the River Aude or the Canal du Midi, or wander off among some of the nearby vineyards. Revel in Carcassonne itself - the château, the double walls surrounding the town, the Cathedral of St. Nazaire, the narrow cobbled streets with dozens of shops, restaurants and mini-museums.
(B) (D)
Day 3:
Set out along the lovely Canal du Midi, the engineering marvel built by Pierre Paul Riquet in the late 17th century. From Trèbes, you have the choice of two routes to tonight's destination, both giving the first hints of the magnificent beauty of the rocky Corbières region before reaching your next hotel, the Auberge de St-Hubert, in the medieval abbey town of Lagrasse. Approaching Lagrasse you will pass through the first of several gorges you will see during the week - this one with rocky cliffs rising from both sides of the River Alsou.
(B)
Day 4:
A day for exploration in and around Lagrasse. The Benedictine abbey of Sainte-Marie l'Orbieu - founded in 799! - is definitely worth a visit. Choose from several cycling options. Head south along the Orbieu river and up a challenging "mountain" to your first Cathar castle, Château Termes, and spectacular views. Many shorter possibilities exist out of Lagrasse to fill out a less arduous day. Include wine tasting at one of several dozen wineries within easy reach.
(B)
Day 5:
Head south, up into the rocky Corbières hills - a bit reminiscent of Tuscany. At Villerouge-Termenès, walk around this charming town and château - where the last Cathar "perfect" was burned at the stake in 1321. Continue through ever more spectacular scenery passing towns such as Felines Termenès, Davejean and Maisons and through another beautiful gorge. Descending out of the hills you arrive in Cucugnan and the Auberge de Vigneron.
(B)
Day 6:
Spend a second night in Cucugnan with more than enough to occupy even the most ambitious. You are within easy distance of two of the best known and most spectacular Cathar castles: Quéribus and Peyrepertuse. In addition to many biking possibilities in the immediate area, a circuit of roughly 50 kilometres takes you by the Gorge de Galamus, unquestionably the most spectacular gorge in this part of France.
(B) (D)
Day 7:
Today has the best scenery of all. No castles; just panorama after panorama, several charming towns and a swimmable river at the end as your reward. Pass under the shadow of Peyrepertuse and through a series of ups and downs. Pedal just below the Pic de Bugarach - a huge, monolithic rock. For the next 20 kilometres, it is literally all down hill or flat through the riverside spatown of Rennes-les-Bains and on to Alets-les-Bains and your last hotel, the Hostellerie de l'Eveché.
(B)
Day 8:
Return to Carcassonne before continuing on to further adventures.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices in US Funds
The price includes:
> seven nights' accommodation in 2- and 3-star hotels
> all breakfasts and two dinners
> detailed Route Descriptions and maps
> use of a hybrid or mountain bike (21-speed) with panniers, pump and puncture repair kit. Please note that helmets are not included and we urge you to bring your own.
> luggage transfers
> suggestions on where to eat and interesting side trips to take
> emergency support just a phone call away
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Bicycle Touring
Castles/Palaces
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