- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- Gravity, bike tour in Aubrac
€950 / pers.
Gravity, L’Aubrac by Bike
Discover the Aubrac, a highland region of granite plateaus at the crossroads of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions. Aubrac is a place that inspires awe, with its endless natural landscapes and open pastures stretching as far as the eye can see. You instantly feel at ease here, even if the vastness of the landscape makes you feel very small—and the climate can sometimes be harsh!
Your journey begins in Le Puy-en-Velay, following the trails, tracks and quiet country roads of the Way of Saint James, before reaching Aumont-Aubrac, where we have put together a magnificent route for you. At times, you will follow the Tour des Monts d’Aubrac trail, but not always… A delightful mix designed to showcase the very best of this unique region, at the crossroads of Cantal, Lozère and Aveyron.
At your own pace, with or without electric assistance, you will cycle through open pastures and discover the granite rock, rivers, waterfalls and lakes that punctuate the route. From your saddle, you will have the opportunity to encounter the famous Aubrac cattle and, why not, chat with the farmers and local inhabitants who call these highlands home. You will discover the famous burons—traditional stone shelters that may look austere from the outside but are surprisingly warm and welcoming inside—as well as the charm of small villages such as Aubrac, Nasbinals, Saint-Urcize and Laguiole.
This cycling journey left a lasting impression on us, both because of the beauty of the landscapes we crossed and because of the culture and traditions of these highlands, which make Aubrac such a unique place. We called this trip Gravity quite simply because it offers a sense of endless space and the impression of floating through a landscape that somehow feels both close and infinitely distant.
IMPORTANT: This long-distance trip requires good self-management skills: knowing how to change an inner tube, repositioning a derailed chain, and also good bike handling skills, especially on trails.
Please note: The e-bikes provided by L’Autre Chemin are equipped with electric assistance, but this does not mean that you don’t have to pedal. It is therefore important to be able to pedal comfortably and maintain a steady effort throughout the ride. The electric assistance is designed to support your pedalling while also helping you manage the battery efficiently.
To prepare for your trip, check out our tips!
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The benefits of your bike tour:
- You travel independently
- Accommodation in friendly guesthouses or hotels
- Half-board included
- Easy navigation with the new digital app “travel diary & route guidance”
- Your luggage is transported at each stage (1 bag max. 13 kg per person – Dimensions max : lenght + Width + Height : 120cm)
- Your return journey, as well as the return of the bicycles to Le Puy-en-Velay, is included in the package
- With extra: For this trip, the bicycles provided by the agency include an “Esprit Serein” guarantee – more information available in the section: Insurance section
- Our travel bikes for this tour
Your Journey:
- Elevation gain: 4,340 m – a mix of trails and quiet country roads
- Self-guided cycling holiday: choose your own departure date and travel independently, with family or friends
- Family-friendly: children aged 14 and over, depending on their cycling ability
- Accommodation: private rooms in guesthouses, gîtes, hotels or unique/alternative accommodation
- What about the weather? Check our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
- Program day / day
- What's in your trip ?
- Extras
- Accommodation
- Access to Le Puy and car parking
- Need help ?
Please note: The stages are provided for guidance only and may be modified depending on accommodation availability.
An opportunity to discover the Velay city! Stroll and discover the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay. Explore the hidden streets and discover the Notre Dame du Puy Cathedral.
Discover:
• Le Puy-en-Velay
- The Cathedral and its Cloister
- Notre-Dame de France
- The Saint-Michel Chapel
- The narrow streets of the upper town
- The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
- Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
- The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)
A first stage that brings you closer to Aubrac to reach the land of the Beast of Gévaudan. First, you'll climb out of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay, following the GR65 to reach Monistrol d'Allier, which will undoubtedly be a beautiful place to take a break on the banks of the Allier. You'll then climb along small roads and paths to reach Saugues (Stage Compostela).
Places to discover:
• Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon
- The magnificent 11th-century church
- Its castle (private property)
- The view over the Dolaizon Valley
• Montbonnet
- The charming Saint-Roch Church
• Saint-Privat d’Allier
- The Château de Saint-Privat d’Allier
- The Priory and the esplanade overlooking the Allier Valley
• Monistrol d'Allier
- The Eiffel Bridge
- Le Vivier Beach
- Whitewater sports
- Saint-Pierre Church
• Saugues
- The English Tower
- The Beast of Gévaudan Fantastic Museum
- Organic swimming
From Saugues, you'll follow the pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago, even if you'll sometimes have to leave the route, which becomes a bit chaotic. You'll now cycle through Margeride before reaching Aubrac for your next stop.
Discover:
• La Clauze
- The Polygonal Tower
Near La Clauze
- The village of Esplantas
- Le Truc de la Garde (highest point with a magnificent panorama)
- Le Domaine du Sauvage
- The Saint-Roch Chapel
• Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
- The Scénovision La Margeride à la Folie
- The European Bison Reserve
- Saint-Alban Castle
- The Church
- The typical landscapes of Aubrac
- Aubrac cows
- Taste Aligot meal
• Aumont-Aubrac
- The Priory House
- Saint-Etienne Church
From Aumont Aubrac, you'll follow the GRP Tour des Monts d'Aubrac, which invites you to follow forest trails that offer beautiful views of the pastures. You'll reach Prinsuéjols, and after a short steep climb, you'll follow a dreamlike trail to Usanges and then Marchastel before crossing the Bès River to reach the Déroc waterfall. The path will sometimes lead you through pastures occupied by Aubrac cows, where you'll have to remember to close the gates securely. You'll reach the magnificent village of Aubrac, which awaits you.
Discover:
• Prinsuéjols
- The Roc de la Guse
- The parishes dotted with granite rocks
• Nasbinals
- The town's general architecture
- The Romanesque church
- The Bès River
- The Déroc waterfall
• Aubrac
- The 12th-century Domerie church
- The English Tower
- The old hospital
- The Maison de l'Aubrac
- Our Lady of the Gentians of Aubrac
From Aubrac, head towards the capital of Aubrac: Laguiole (pronounce it however you like ;-)) on a quiet little road that leads you towards Curières. This will be an opportunity to admire the knife workshops and the bull on the Place du Foirail. From Laguiole, a small road takes you to the edge of the Laguiole forest where you follow a sometimes stony forest track... Further on, the small village of Saint-Urcize awaits you.
Discover:
- Notre Dame des Gentianes - a virgin in the middle of the meadows
• Laguiole
- The 16th-century Saint-Matthieu church perched above the old village, located on the site of an ancient castle. > The village's slate roofs
- The cutlery workshops
- The Twelve distillery
- The Oules waterfall
- The Vergne Noire wetland
• Saint-Urcize
- The Church of St-Pierre & St-Michel in St-Urcize
- The cowsheds of Chavestras, La Matte, and Cartayrel
From Saint-Urcize, cycle along pleasant little roads before joining wide trails that cross the pastures and reach Brion. A true sense of vastness accompanies your journey. Further on, you cycle along magnificent forest trails. Soon, you'll see Termes, recognizable by its church overlooking the village. It's time to climb up to the Truc de l'Homme, which offers a beautiful panorama before gently reaching Aumont-Aubrac. A shorter route is available on the route guidance app.
Discover:
• Recoules d'Aubrac
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
- The Gournier Bridge spanning the Bès River
• Brion
- Saint-Jacques Church
• Termes
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Termes with its steeple
- Le Truc de l'Homme
• Fau de Peyre
- La Rimeize river
Journey back by shuttle to Le Puy-en-Velay with bikes & luggage at 10:30 a.m. and arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay around 12:15 p.m. depending on road conditions.
Prices include:
- Accommodation in a double, twin, or multiple-occupancy room
- Half-board
- Tourist taxes,
- Luggage transfer at the stopover (one bag, max. 13kg/person – Dimesnions max : L + W + H : 120cm),
- Journey back to Le Puy (travelers & bikes)
- Access to the guidance app and travel diary,
- Telephone assistance.
Extras
- Electric bike rental or a non-electric bike rental, two rear panniers, a helmet, a light repair kit,
- Multrisks and cancellation insurance
- Single supplement
- Additional night in Le Puy-en-Velay (B&B basis)
This price does not include
- Transportation and transfers to the starting point Meals other than those listed in the description
- Multirisks and annulation insurance
- Parking Bike rental
- GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks for our routes – guidance via the app)
- Drinks, spending money, any visits or activities
- Generally, anything not listed in the “This price includes” section
Administration fees
- €12/person if ordered online
- €15/person via quote
As an optional extra, L’Autre Chemin offers:
You want to rent a bike
- Electric-assisted hybrid bike rental with two panniers: +€215/bike
- Non-electric hybrid bike rental with two 20-liter panniers: +€145/bike
If you plan to travel with your bike, please ensure certain points: If it is an electric-assisted bike, the battery must have a minimum power of 400 or even 500 watts. Please note: the battery must be removable; if not, please contact us to check availability. It is imperative that your bike is in perfect working order before departure. Remember to have it serviced. Please bring a suitable repair kit and a smartphone mount for the handlebars. Our routes combine small roads and trails; your bike must be a hybrid, mountain bike, or gravel bike with suitable tires. City and road bikes are therefore prohibited. Our trips are more or less sporty, and a basket on the handlebars is to be avoided, as are large city bags. You’ll be riding on trails, and this type of equipment risks destabilizing the bike’s balance and making it difficult to transfer bikes (similarly, front mudguards make it difficult to load bikes onto trailers, so avoid them).
Any doubts? Contact us.
L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small hotels (, ***, or equivalent) to offer you comfort and authenticity, making each stage an opportunity to discover architecture, lifestyle, gastronomy, as well as a moment for exchange and meeting new people.
Please note: The stages along the route are determined according to the pace we consider most suitable. We strive to offer stages that provide comfort, discovery, and authenticity in hotels, guesthouses, gîtes, or unique accommodations.
Half Board
When you choose a half-board trip, which generally includes a set-menu dinner and breakfast, we invite you to let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements you may have. Please note that breakfast may be either continental or international, depending on the accommodation.
The establishments should normally be able to accommodate the needs of travellers:
- with confirmed food allergies (allergies involving the immune system and potentially causing severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock), such as allergies to honey, nuts, shellfish, etc.
- vegetarians (Due to the complexity and significant constraints this places on accommodation providers, we are unfortunately unable to organise trips catering for a vegan diet.)
- following a diet for religious reasons
For food intolerances (digestive difficulties in processing certain foods, with symptoms that are purely digestive, such as lactose or gluten intolerance) and other dietary restrictions, we will inform the accommodation providers in advance. However, some establishments may find it difficult to accommodate all dietary requirements, which are becoming increasingly common. We therefore thank you in advance for adapting your food consumption to the meals provided during your stay and, if necessary, bringing any additional foods or supplements you may require, such as gluten-free bread.
Please note: Additional charges may apply for special diets, depending on the policies of individual accommodation providers.
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By Train
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay has a train station that takes you right to the city center, close to your first hotel and all the sights and shops. In short, it’s very pleasant to take the train from home to begin your cycling trip to Le Puy. Psst, even if the journey may seem long, when you arrive via Saint-Etienne, the tracks run alongside the wild Loire Valley, a very pleasant sight.
By Car
Le Puy is accessible by road, notably via two main roads: the RN88 from Saint-Etienne/Lyon or Aubenas/Mende, or via the RN102 (Clermont-Ferrand). There are suitable parking lots on site, but we’ll explain everything in your travel guide!
- Paris: 515km
- Lyon: 134km
- Marseille: 300km
- Toulouse: 350km
- Montpellier: 250km
Where to park in Le Puy?
- Breuil underground car park – Place du Breuil – Closed Sundays and public holidays – 7 days: €60 – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 54
Le Puy above-ground car parks – Rates: €10/week and €20/month. Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the Mobilité-en-Velay commercial center. Tel. +33 4 71 02 60 11 (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Height limit 2.20 m & length 5.50 m maximum. These car parks are served by a free shuttle or the urban transport network.
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- Bertrand de Doue Parking: Parking without video
- Estrouilhas Parking: Parking without video
- Quincieu Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video
- Montredon Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video (free bus service to the city center)
- Dunant Parking (free bus service to the city center)
- Train Station Parking: Video-monitored parking – €6 / 24 hours
- Carmes Parking: Video-monitored parking – €40 / week – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
- Foch Parking – 6 avenue du Maréchal Foch – Video surveillance – 7 days: €40 – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
- Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Reservation: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €35
- La Malle Postale – Parking at 7km from Le Puy – Drop-off and pick-up guaranteed – 7 days / 7– 7 days: €30 – Reservation: 04 71 04 21 79 Prices given for information purposes only, subject to change without notice
Whether you want to book your cycling trip to the heart of the Mézenc highlands or ask us any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
with L'Autre Chemin
Dès 740€ / pers.
Aventure & Dolce via
Partez à vélo sur l'une des plus belle voie verte de France : La Dolce Via
Dès 615€ / pers
Sac transporté & retour inclus
Destination Aubrac à vélo
Le Chemin de Compostelle à vélo avec des étapes plus légères & plus faciles
€1030 / pers.
Dialogue with sir Stevenson, bike tour on the Stevenson trail
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