Channel to Med

Stunning scenery, plains, hills, picture postcard villages and even a Tour climb over Puy St Mary! This is a superb early summer ride that takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of France – it should not be missed.

Launched in 2013, this route has already been enjoyed by numerous riders. The holiday offers similar challenges to the UK ‘End to End’, but the weather is usually better, the total distance is less and a rest day is included.

The holiday starts with the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais from where you start the journey south. Our route takes us through the pretty farming countryside of northern France and into Normandy, with its lush green countryside and distinctive timber framed houses.

After crossing the River Seine we cross the vast plains via Chartres and continue south through the magnificent chateau region of the Loire Valley. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as we head into the mountains of the Massif Central and around the Category 2 ‘Tour’ col of Puy St Mary. Our penultimate stop is the stunning medieval city of Carcassonne where we will stay within sight of the old city walls, and this is a short day to allow time for sight-seeing.

We continue through some spectacular scenery with the landscape becoming drier and rockier as we pass over the Black Mountains. We then drop down to the plains of southern France to arrive at the Mediterranean Sea in Cap D’Agde.

You return to the UK from the nearby airport of Beziers or, for a small supplement, we can arrange transport back to Carcassonne or Toulouse. There is one rest day at Aubusson.

This is a superb ride and our cycling holiday groups are always great fun.