Gravity, bike tour in Aubrac

L’Autre Chemin
Séjours
Gravity, bike tour in Aubrac

From €920
with luggage transfer & journey back

Aubrac by bike, a journey to the heart of intense, preserved and welcoming nature

Distance

233km

Duration

7 days

Steps

Stages > 50km - Difficulty : 3/5

Gravity, L’Aubrac by Bike

For lovers of landscapes with a strong character Discover Aubrac, the granite highlands at the crossroads of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions. Aubrac is a dream come true with its natural landscapes and endless livestock farms. You feel at home there, even if you feel like you’re very small and the climate can sometimes be harsh! You’ll start from Le Puy-en-Velay via the trails, tracks, and small roads of the Camino de Santiago before reaching Aumont-Aubrac, where we’ve created a magnificent route for you. Sometimes you’ll follow the Tour des Monts d’Aubrac Trail, but not always… A delightful mix to help you discover the best of this region at the crossroads of Cantal, Lozère, and Aveyron. At your own pace, with or without electric assistance, you pedal to discover the pastures, granite rock, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes that mark the route. This will be an opportunity to meet the Aubrac herds from your handlebars and why not chat with the breeders and inhabitants of these highlands. You will discover the famous burons, which, despite their austere appearance, are such warm shelters, and the charm of small villages like Aubrac, Nasbinals, Saint-Urcize, and Laguiole.

This cycling trip left no one indifferent, both for the beauty of the landscapes we crossed and for the culture and traditions of these highlands that make it such a unique place. We named this trip Gravity simply because it offers endless space, a feeling of floating in a landscape both near and far.

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.

To prepare for your trip, check out our tips!

[WEBRESA]

The benefits of your bike tour:

You travel independently
Accommodation in friendly guesthouses or hotels
Half-board included, except in Le Puy where accommodation is on a bed & breakfast basis
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)
Your return journey, as well as the return of the bicycles to Le Puy-en-Velay, is included in the package
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

Votre parcours :

Dénivelé 4340m – Chemins et routes de pays
Voyage à vélo en liberté (vous choisissez votre départ et vous partez en solo, en famille ou avec des amis)
En famille : Enfants à partir de 14 ans selon l’aisance à vélo
Hébergement : en chambre personnelle (chambre d’hôtes, gites, hôtels ou insolites)
Quel climat ? consultez nos Questions fréquentes

Program day / day
What's in your trip ?
Extras
Accommodation
Access to Le Puy and car parking
Need help ?

Nota : Les étapes sont données à titre indicatif et peuvent être modifiées selon les disponibilités hébergeurs.

Day 1 : Your arrival in Le Puy

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.
Stay with B&B basis

Discover:
• Le Puy-en-Velay
> The Cathedral and its Cloister, starting point of the Way of Saint James
> Notre-Dame de France
> The Saint-Michel Chapel
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> The Polignac Fortress
> Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)

Day 2 : Le Puy-en-Velay - Saugues - 47km -D+1170m

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

Day 3: Saugues - Aumont -Aubrac - 50km - D+895m

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-Alaban Castle
> The Church
> The typical landscapes of Aubrac
> Aubrac cows
> Taste Aligot

• Aumont-Aubrac
> The Priory House
> Saint-Etienne Church

Day 4: Aumont-Aubrac - Aubrac -48km -D+775m

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

Day 5: Aubrac - Saint-Urcize -35km - D+535m

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

Day 6: Saint-Urcize - Aumont-Aubrac - 53km - D+965m

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

Day 7: Journey back to Le Puy-en-Velay

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 except in Le Puy booked with B&B basis
Tourist taxes,
Luggage transfer at the stopover (one bag, max. 13kg/person),
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.

En train

La ville du Puy-en-Velay dispose d’une gare qui vous conduit juste dans le centre de la ville à proximité de votre premier hôtel et de tous les lieux de visites, des commerces. Bref, il est très agréable de prendre le train depuis chez soi pour venir débuter votre séjour à vélo au Puy.

Psst, même si le trajet peut paraitre long, lorsque vous arrivez via Saint-Etienne, les voies longe la vallée de la Loire sauvage, c’est un spectacle très sympa et en plus vous pouvez vous faire de nouveaux amis dans les wagons !

En voiture

Le Puy est accessible par la route notamment par deux axes routiers, la RN88 depuis Saint-Etienne / Lyon ou Aubenas / Mende ou via la RN 102 (Clermont-Ferrand). Su rplaces vous disposez de parkings adaptés mais cela on vous explique tout dans votre carnet de voyage !

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 & 14 days: €100/14 days – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 5

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.

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: €30 & 14 days: €60 – 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 & 15 days: €50 – Reservation: 04 71 04 21 79