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Grande_Traversee_Massif_Central_velo_28_0_06e37461a8
  • Massif Central 
  • France 

Crossing of the Massif Central by road bike

From the volcanoes of the Auvergne to the Mediterranean

From
1225€/person

Presentation of your trip

The crossing of the Massif Central by road bike: start in Clermont-Ferrand and pass over the Auvergne volcanoes to arrive at the sea, in the pretty town of Sète, nicknamed “Venice of the Languedoc”. Cross the ‘vieux massif’ and discover, with each turn of the wheel, a variety of impressive landscapes; the Chain of Puys*, Mont Dore, Causse Méjean (a vast limestone plateau), the Plateaus of Aubrac, the Cirque de Navacelles…These varied and peaceful mid-height mountains are perfect for road cycling. Climb the famous ‘cols’ (mountain passes) of the Tour de France 2020: Col de Ceyssat, Col de Guéry, Col de Néronne or the Pas de Peyrol (the highest paved mountain pass of the Massif), or even the famous Mont Aigoual ! Last but not least, the local gastronomy is not to be missed. You will also stop off in one of the officially most beautiful villages in France: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.

  • DestinationMassif Central, France
  • TypeFree
  • Length of trip8 days and 7 nights
  • ActivitiesRoad bike
  • Physical level

Possible periods for this trip

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • Apr.
  • May
  • June
  • Jul.
  • August
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.
Description of the tripProgramTravel conditionsDates and price

Trip details

Highlights

  • Several levels of difficulty possible for each day
  • A great variety of landscapes across the Massif Central : mountain passes, forests, volcanoes, gorges and plateaus.
  • A rich regional gastronomy.
  • The arrival at the sea: the Mediterranean !

Complementary informations

  • 8 days 7 nights including 8 days of cycling
  • In double room and full board (picnic)

Program

  • From Clermont-Ferrand of the Lac de Chambon.

    • Distance : 69 km
    • Elevation gain : 1640 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Key points of the day : 
    The historic city of Clermont-Ferrand 
    The Puy de Dôme and the volcanic chain of the Puys 
    The Puy de Sancy and Mont Dore
    The Lac de Chambon

    Level 1 : 69km – Positive Altitude Difference : 1640m
    Col de Ceyssat (1078m)
    Col de Guéry (1268m)
    Col de la Moréno (1062m)
    Col de la Croix Morand (1401m)

    Level 2 : 115km - Positive Altitude Difference : 2590m
    Col de Ceyssat (1078m)
    Col de la Moréno (1062m)
    Col de Guéry (1268m)
    Pass through the village of Bourboule
    Col de la Sœur (1149m)
    Col de Vendeix 1107m, very short there and back round trip
    Col de la Croix Saint Robert (1451m)
    Night in Lac de Chambon
     

  • From Chambon to Murat

    • Distance : 94 km
    • Elevation gain : 1400 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Key points of the day : 
    The Volcanoes of the Auvergne
    The Puy Mary 
    The Puy de Sancy and Mont Dore

    Level 1 : 94km Positive Altitude Difference : 1400m 
    Col de la Chaumoune (1155m)
    Col de Montgreleix (1235m)
    Col de Malmouche (1141m)
    Col de Montirargues (1141m)

    Level 2 : 102 km - Positive Altitude Difference : 1820m
    Col de la Chaumoune (1155m)
    Col de Montgreleix (1235m)
    Col Serre (1335m)
    Col d’Entremont (1184m)

    Level 3 : 139km - Positive Altitude Difference : 2620m 
    Col de la Chaumoune (1155m)
    Col de Montgreleix (1235m)
    Col de la Besseyre (1044m)
    Col d’Aulac (1228m)
    Col de Néronne (1241m)
    Pas de Peyrol (1588m)
    Col d’Eylac (1423m) 
    Col Serre (1335m)
    Col d’Entremont (1884m)
     

    Night in Murat.
     

  • Day 3

    From Murat to Nasbinals

    • Distance : 80 km
    • Elevation gain : 1570 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Key points of the day: 
    Cantal
    The Gorges of Truyère 
    Aubrac


    Level 1 : 80 km - Positive Altitude Difference : 1570m 
    Col de Prat de Bouc (1396m)
    Col de l’Aze (1030m)

    Level 2 : 107km – Positive Altitude Difference : 2100m 
    Col de Prat de Bouc (1396m)
    Col de la Griffoul (1338m)
    Col de l’Aze (1030m)
    Pas de Mathieu (Mathieu’s Step) (1325m)
    Col d’Aubrac (1339m)


    Night in Nasbinals on the Plateaus of Aubrac.
     

  • Day 4

    From Nasbinals to St Enimie

    • Distance : 88 km
    • Elevation gain : 1410 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Key points of the day:  
    Crossing over the Monts d’Aubrac 
    The Grands Causses (limestone plateaus)
    The Causse du Sauveterre 
    The Gorges of Tarn and the beautiful villages of St Enimie and St-Geniez-d’Olt-et-Aubrac

    Level 1 : 88km – Positive Altitude Difference : 1410m
    Col de Bennecombe (1340m)
    Col du Trébatut (1075m)
    The incredible sight of the Cirque des Baumes
    The Gorges of Tarn

    Level 2 : 109km – Positive Altitude Difference : 1319m 
    Col de Bennecombe (1340m)
    The village of St-Geniez-d’Olt-et-d’Aubrac

    Level 3 : 130km – Positive Altitude Difference : 1786m
    Col de Bennecombe (1340m)
    The village of St-Geniez-d’Olt-et-d’Aubrac
    The Gorges du Tarn
    The incredible sight of the Cirque des Baumes
    The Cirque des Pougnadoires
    The Cirque de St Chély
     

    Night in St Enimie. 
     

  • Day 5

    From St Enimie to Meyrueis

    • Distance : 90 km
    • Elevation gain : 1700 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Key points of the day: 
    Crossing over the Causses Méjean and Noir.
    The Gorges du Tarn and the Gorges de la Jonte
    Saint Chely sur Tarn

    Level 1 : 94 km - Positive Altitude Difference : 1700m (with climb of Mont Aigoual included)
    Col de Coperlac (903m)
    Causse Méjan

    Level 2 : 98km - Positive Altitude Difference : 1690km (without climb of Mont Aigoual)
    Col de Coperlac (903m)
    Causse Méjan
    Causse Noir

    Level 3 : 126km - Positive Altitude Difference : 2230m (without climb of Mont Aigoual)
    Causse Méjan
    Causse Noir

    Night in Meyrueis. 

  • Day 6

    From Meyrueis at Le Vigan

    • Distance : 115 km
    • Elevation gain : 1900 m

    Key points of the day: 
    The ascent of Mont Aigoual  
    The Cévennes park

    Niveau 1 : 80km + 1550 m
    Niveau 2 : 115km + 1900 m
    Niveau 3 : 140km + 2400 m

    The Pass :

    • Col de Perjuret, 1031 m, niveau 1,2,3.
    • Col de Fourques, 1046 m, niveau 1,2.
    • Le mont Aigoual, 1565 m. 
    • Col des Rhodes, 922 m, niveau 1,2,3.
    • Col de la pierre plantée 867 m, niveau 1, 2, 3.
    • Col de la Barrière, 809 m, niveau 1, 2, 3


    Night in Le Vigan.

  • Day 7

    From Vigan to St Guilhem-le-désert

    • Distance : 90 km
    • Elevation gain : 800 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Key points of the day: 
    The Cirque de Navacelles
    St Guilhem-le-Désert  

    Level 1 et 2 : 90 km – Dénivelé positif : 1050m
    Level 3 : 135 km – Dénivelé positif : 1950m


    The Cirque de Navacelles 
    Mont Baudille (848m) en A/R
    Col du Vent (703m) 
    Pas du Coulet (621m)


    Night in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.

  • Day 8

    From Saint Guilhem-Le-Désert to Sète

    • Distance : 68 km
    • Elevation gain : 560 m

    Key points of the day:
    Arrival in Sète via the famous cycle path, the ViaRhôna, passing between the Etang de la Pierre Blanche (saltwater lakes) and the Mediterranean.

    Level 1 : 75km - Dénivelé positif : 480m

    Level 2 et 3 : 90km - Dénivelé positif : 800m
     

  • End of trip

The program may change depending on the availability of accommodation.

For constituted groups, we adapt the level, duration, price and program on demand.

Contact us!

Travel conditions

  • Luggage

    Formula without assistance: you only wear the items of the day, water and picnic.
    Formula with assistance vehicle: you wear nothing! The assistance vehicle will delight you.

     

  • Formalities

    • A valid official ID
    • We recommend travel insurance with repatriation included
  • DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT

    Appointment the first day in Clermont-Ferrand. 

    How to get there:

    By car: Highway A75
    By train: Clermont-Ferrand SNCF train station.
    By plane: Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne airport.

  • Accommodation

    YOUR ACCOMMODATION.

    Double room formula: you sleep in comfortable rooms for 2 people in hotels **, guest rooms or cottages.  A private bathroom is reserved for you. Sheets and towels are provided. (Single room option - See rates).

  • Food

    Your trip might not be the best time to diet, as it's an occasion to taste the local cooking. We place great importance to the quality of the food we provide: well-balanced and nutritious, providing lots of energy with the specialties of the region incorporated into each meal.

    • Your accommodations provides Continental breakfasts.
    • We distribute simple cereal/muesli bars and dried fruit in the morning before the start of the stage.
    • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)
    • You must bring your own specific energy bars and isodrinks.

    At lunch, there is 2 options based on what you prefer :

    • A picnic to carry along in a small backpack. It contains an individual salad (carbohydrate and vegetable based salad), cold meats, cheese and fruit. This picnic can be carried in a small backpack or a handlebar bag. 
    • No lunch organised by us, leaving you free to stop and eat when and where you want (restaurant, bakery, grocery store...).

    Please let us know your choice of type of lunch at your register.
     

  • Attendees

    Individual registration:
    You are 1 to 5 people: You can register on one of the dates already planned by LaRébenne in formula with assistance vehicle double room.

    Group registration:
    You are a group of at least 6 people: you can register on the dates planned by LaRébenne or freely on your dates (consult us) in formula lodging or double room.

  • Difficulty level

    You are in good physical condition and go cycling on roads, over long distances, at least once a week.
    Stages vary from 100 to 115km per day with positive altitude differences of 1200 to 2800m per day.

    Where possible, several difficulty levels will be on offer, with the same departure and arrival points for everyone. And of course without transfers :)!

     

  • Options

    • Physiotherapy: recovery session with a physiotherapist at the end of the stage,
    • Leader: a qualified instructor guides the group (+ sports advice),
    • Mechanic: a mechanic cycles is responsible for repairs during the circuit and maintenance of the bikes at the end of the stages.

     

  • Options

    - Tailor-made programme from the stages you choose yourself from 8 people,

    - Single room supplement : 265€/pers

    - Customized high-end bike rental,

    - Transport of bike cases and hard bottom panniers, only for the formula with assistance vehicle with driver and within the limit of available places: +40 € / box,

    - Return transfer from Sète to Clermont Ferrand subject to availability and minimum 6 people: contact us.

  • Accompanying

    Self-guided cycling with assistance vehicle and driver :
    The assistance vehicle with bike trailer (or bike rack) will meet you at several points throughout the day’s stage, often at the top of the mountain passes (Cols) and will bring you your picnic, water, your extra clothes as well as a complete toolkit in case of any mechanical issues. As a result, you can fully enjoy your day with only a light bag or without needing to carry a bag at all. The driver will also give you advice for each stage, helping you to manage your ride and progress and will, most of the time, be able to answer any questions you may have about the local area.

     Self-guided cycling with luggage transfer. (For organised group of 6+ people):
    You set off alone, equipped with the orientation equipment provided by us: maps with marked routes and GPS tracks to discover the circuit which has been designed by our team. With the GPS fixed to your handlebars, you will be guided by the instructions we have carefully prepared with the highest level of precision. Contact us !

Dates and price

Information

Departure in July and August: +50€/pers. 
Registration on the dates programmed by LaRébenne: 
From 1 person, you can register on the dates already planned by LaRébenne in formula with assistance vehicle and double room. 

You are an already constituted group and you want a private stay: 
You can register on the dates scheduled by LaRébenne or freely on your dates.  You have the choice of the accommodation formula (lodging or double room) and the supervision between the formula luggage carrying and the formula with assistance vehicle, consult us. 
 

Free departure from

Price TTC per person

Formula with assistance vehicle
Individual registration1225

Travel dates

  • From 04-05-2025 to 11-05-2025 There is still availability!
  • From 08-06-2025 to 15-06-2025 Confirmed departure: you can register!
  • From 05-07-2025 to 12-07-2025 There is still availability!
  • From 27-07-2025 to 03-08-2025 There is still availability!
  • From 17-08-2025 to 24-08-2025 There is still availability!
  • From 06-09-2025 to 13-09-2025 There is still availability!

Options

If you want to be alone in your room: + 265€/pers 

Package accommodation and navigation: we organize accommodation, meals, guidebooks, maps and GPS tracks and you make your own assistance and luggage transport, consult us.

The price includes

- Accommodation

- Electronic maps, roadmaps and GPS tracks in. gpx format,

- Half board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8,

- Transport of 1 piece of luggage per person, up to 15 kg/piece of luggage,

- For the formula with assistance vehicle: 1 vehicle 5 or 9 seats + driver during the entire stay.

- The picnics

The price does not include

- Beverages,
- Personal expenses,
- Personal bicycle equipment (helmets, gloves),
- Bicycles,
- The transport of bicycle boxes and rigid bottom panniers (option only for the formula with assistance vehicle with driver: +40 € / box),
- Transportation to the meeting point,
- The return transfer,
- the cost of parking,
- Insurance.

The destination

  • Massif Central

    The Massif Central is France's largest mountainous region. It offers a wide variety of landscapes, with vast high-altitude plateaus, volcanic formations, deep gorges and numerous peaks topping out at over 1800 metres. This high-altitude territory is a paradise for lovers of wide open spaces, whether cyclists, mountain bikers or hikers.

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