Itinerary
- Day 1
Montpellier to St Guilhem le Desert
You'll arrive in Montpellier and transfer to St Guilhem le Desert, a medieval village that dates back to 804 and carries UNESCO classification. After checking into your hotel, the staff walks you through an orientation of the area. Dinner's included tonight, and afterward you can head to the central plaza to grab a drink and soak in the village atmosphere.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation by staff at hotel
- Explore St Guilhem le Desert village
- Visit central plaza
Optional Activities
- Explore Abbey of St Guilhem
- Visit cafe or bar in central plaza
Landmarks/POIs St Guilhem le Desert Abbey of St Guilhem le Desert - Day 2
St Guilhem le Desert Loop Tours
Three ride options are available today, all looping back to St Guilhem. The harder 78km route heads to Lac du Salagou with its red clay soil and surrounding peaks. If you want something moderate, the 51km option takes you through the dramatic Gorges de l'Herault canyon. The easier 39km ride goes through vineyards to Chateau Jonquieres. Pick based on your fitness level and enjoy rolling terrain through wine country and small villages. If energy remains, explore the surrounding trails.
Included Activities
- Bike loop tour (choice of three routes: Lac du Salagou 78km challenging, Gorges de l'Herault 51km moderate, or Chateau Jonquieres 39km easy)
- Optional trail walks from surrounding peaks
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting in Chateau Jonquieres region (for 39km option)
Landmarks/POIs Lac du Salagou Gorges de l'Herault Chateau Jonquieres - Day 3
St Guilhem le Desert to Lauret
After breakfast, you bike from St Guilhem toward Lauret and stop at Saint Etienne d'Issensac to check out its 14th-century stone bridge and chapel. From there you continue to Brissac, a quiet village with a 12th-century church that's historically protected and a castle sitting on a rocky outcrop above the settlement.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Bike ride to Lauret
- Visit Saint Etienne d'Issensac with 14th-century stone bridge and chapel
- Explore Brissac village with 12th-century church and castle
Landmarks/POIs Saint Etienne d'Issensac Brissac Church Brissac Castle - Day 4
Lauret Loop to Pic Saint Loup Region
The day starts at the Glass Blowing Museum, then you head to the Dolmen of Ferrieres, a nearly 9,000-year-old Neolithic structure. After that, cycle south through the countryside toward Saint Martin de Londres with views of Pic Saint Loup, the main peak in Montpellier's backcountry. The region has high-quality vineyards with their own wine designation, so you can stop at one for a tasting before heading back to Auberge du Cedre for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Glass Blowing Museum
- See Dolmen of Ferrieres (Neolithic dolmen)
- Bike ride towards Saint Martin de Londres
- Views of Pic Saint Loup
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Pic Saint Loup vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Glass Blowing Museum Dolmen of Ferrieres Ferrieres les Verreries Saint Martin de Londres Pic Saint Loup - Day 5
Lauret to Sommieres via Chemin des Verriers
Today's 39km ride follows 'le chemin des Verriers' (the glassblowers route) through vineyards and several villages including Claret, Lauret, Sauteyrargues, Vacquieres, and Sommieres. You start by biking to Claret, known for its 14th-century glassblowing tradition that began when artisans arrived in 1280 seeking abundant wood resources. Stop at the glassblowers museum in Claret, then continue on to your hotel in Sommieres.
Included Activities
- Bike ride through chemin des Verriers (glassblowers route) - 39km
- Pass through Claret, Lauret, Sauteyrargues, Vacquieres, and Sommieres
Optional Activities
- Visit glass blowers museum in Claret
Landmarks/POIs Claret Lauret Sauteyrargues Vacquieres Sommieres - Day 6
Sommieres to Nimes via Cycle Path
Use the 'voie verte' (green cycle path) behind your hotel to bike to Caveirac through vineyards, where Camargue bulls sometimes appear along the route. Then continue to Nimes, an ancient Roman city nicknamed 'French Rome' for its historical significance. Walk around the arenas, square house, Jardins de la Fontaine gardens, and the tower Magne before heading back to Sommieres on the same route.
Included Activities
- Bike ride on voie verte cycle path to Caveirac
- Explore historic Nimes city center
- Visit Roman arena
- Visit Jardins de la Fontaine
- Visit tower Magne
Optional Activities
- Explore square house in Nimes
Landmarks/POIs Caveirac Nimes Arena Jardins de la Fontaine Tower Magne - Day 7
Sommieres to Montpellier
Your final ride takes you back to Montpellier, the Languedoc region's capital built in the 1040s. The city became known for trade with the Orient and its medical schools. It combines medieval winding streets with modern facilities like an Olympic-sized pool, skating rink, planetarium, and tramway system. Your hotel sits in the historic center near the Triumphal Arch, Garden of Peru, the Aqueduct St Clement, and Place de la Comedie with its Opera.
Included Activities
- Bike ride to Montpellier
- Explore historic center with medieval streets
Optional Activities
- Visit Triumphal Arch
- Explore Garden of Peru
- View Aqueduct St Clement
- Visit Place de la Comedie and Opera
- Use modern facilities: Olympic swimming pool, skating rink, planetarium
Landmarks/POIs Montpellier Triumphal Arch Garden of Peru Aqueduct St Clement Place de la Comedie Montpellier Opera - Day 8
Montpellier Departure
You're free to leave anytime after breakfast. Trains head out throughout the day in all directions, and if you want to stay longer in Montpellier, you can arrange extra nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Arrange extra nights in Montpellier
