Nature Occitaine
Sport & Nature journeys across Southern France
Nature Occitane is a small, locally run travel agency based in Toulouse, in France's Occitanie region, specialising in non-motorised outdoor adventures across Southern France. Founded in 2013 by Guilhem Vabre, a qualified mountain leader and mountain bike guide who previously led international trekking trips for French operator Atalante, the company grew out of his long-standing connection to the Cévennes and a wish to share the region with visitors. A small team of local guides, including mountain leader Sarah and Causse de Séverac-born guide Jérôme, run trips spanning hiking, mountain biking, road and gravel cycling, trail running, kayaking, climbing and canyoning.
Cycling is a core offering, with self-guided multi-day tours along canal towpaths, coastal routes, wine country and pilgrim trails in Occitanie and beyond, plus e-bike and gravel bike variants and family-friendly versions with swimming stops. Nature Occitane arranges accommodation ranging from simple rural guesthouses to converted châteaux, along with luggage transfers, route notes and bike hire, so travellers can ride point to point without organising the logistics themselves.
The company positions itself around low-impact, locally rooted tourism: small groups, itineraries built around the region's landscapes, customs and produce, and support for local businesses along the way. Trips are tailored to a range of fitness levels, from gentle canal-side rides to longer point-to-point routes such as the Vélodyssée and the Camino de Santiago by bike.
Collioure to Cadaqués by e-bike
Tour Operator: Nature Occitaine
France & Spain
7 days (Bike: 5 days)
200 km (~40km per day)
Leisure
Mixed on/off-road, Quiet roads, Some hills
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
€ 830
Overview
Tour Operator Nature Occitaine
A self-guided coastal ride between France and Spain along the Côte Vermeille and Cap de Creus, from sea to mountains and vineyards to wild coves.
This self-guided tour links Collioure in France to Cadaqués in Spain along the Mediterranean coast, crossing the Côte Vermeille and the Cap de Creus nature park over 7 days (6 nights). The route mixes vineyard terraces, pine-scented mountains and secluded coves, with a swim most days and comfortable hotel stays each night.
Two route options are offered daily to suit different riders: a gentler, mostly-sealed Level 1, and a tougher, partly off-road Level 2 with steeper climbs and some technical singletrack. Riders can choose an e-bike, e-MTB, gravel bike or muscle-powered mountain bike for the trip.
Extras include Catalan wine tastings, a day-one briefing from a local cycling instructor, and optional snorkelling, sea-kayaking and a Dalí house visit. Navigation is via a digital roadbook and GPS app, with daily luggage transfer and a return transfer from Cadaqués to the start.
Highlights:
- Cross from France into Spain by bike via the Côte Vermeille and Albères mountains
- Explore the Cap de Creus nature park, Spain's largest uninhabited coastal area
- Daily swimming in secluded coves and the option of a snorkelling trail near Cerbère
- Catalan and Banyuls wine tastings with local producers
- Finish in the whitewashed village of Cadaqués, with an optional visit to Dalí's house
- Choice of two daily route levels to suit fitness and off-road preference
Surface and terrain:
Quiet small roads and wide tracks. Level 1 is mostly sealed road (roughly 70%) with some steep sections but no major technical difficulty. Level 2 is more off-road (up to 56% trail), including 5 km of technical singletrack on day 6. An e-bike, e-MTB or gravel bike is recommended; standard/urban e-bikes aren't permitted.
Likely weather:
Season runs April to mid-October, so warm, dry conditions can be expected, especially in the July/August high season.
Suitable for:
Level 1 suits moderately fit leisure riders on an e-bike. Level 2 suits stronger, more experienced riders wanting off-road technical terrain, ideally on a gravel bike. Self-guided format suits independent travellers comfortable navigating via a GPS app.