- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- Bike Getaway on a plateau
From €400 / pers
Getaway on a plateau
Cycle along country paths and roads to discover high-altitude cycling on the Mézenc highlands. A trip that combines cycling and wide-open spaces… You’ll discover the Transcévenole region and its iconic Recoumène viaduct, as well as the resort village of Les Estables and Mont Mézenc. An exotic and authentic weekend with mountain landscapes, meadows, architecture, and the gastronomy of the Haute-Loire region on the agenda. But that’s not all, this electric bike tour will allow you to easily meet and interact with the locals of Haute-Loire.
To plan your stay, check out our tips!
What we love: One of the legendary places in Haute-Loire, the Mézenc highlands, incredible landscapes, and hosts who will share their passion for this charming region with you!
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.
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The advantages of your bike tour:
- You travel freely
- Accommodation in hotel*** and guesthouse
- Half-board basis except the last night in Le Puy booked on B&B basis (4 stay-days)
- Easy to find your way with the new digital “travel diary & guidance” application
- Your luggage is delivered at each stop (1 bag, max. 13 kg/person – Dimensions: length + width + height: 120 cm)
- For this bike tour, the bikes provided by the agency include the commercial guarantee “Sereine Mind” – More information can be found in the Insurance section
- Our travel bikes for this bike tour
Your route:
- Elevation gain 1,495 m – Country roads and trails
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Sports course – Paths & roads with marked elevation gain, particularly on day 1
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Self-guided cycling tour, you choose your departure
- Family: Children aged 14 and over (depending on their ability – variations and additional days are possible to make it accessible to younger children, please contact us)
- Accommodation: In a private room (B&B, cottage, hotel***)
- IMPORTANT: this bike trip requires a good degree of self-sufficiency in handling your bike: knowing how to change an inner tube, put a derailed chain back on, as well as a certain level of comfort on a bike. L’Autre Chemin’s e-bikes are equipped with electric assistance, but this doesn’t mean you won’t have to pedal. Good physical fitness is therefore important. The electric assistance supports your pedalling, while also allowing for good battery management.
- What climate? See our Frequently Asked Questions
Note: The steps are given for information purposes only and may be modified depending on host availability.
A day discovering Le Puy-en-Velay
Come and meet the "cité vellave"! Wander through the secret streets of Le Puy-en-Velay's old town, and let yourself be surprised by its exceptional heritage.
Things to see:
- The Cathedral and its Cloister - Photo credits: Tourist Office Le Puy en Velay ©Luc Olivier
- Statue of Notre-Dame de France
- Saint-Michel Chapel
- Crozatier Museum
- The narrow streets of the upper town
- The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
- Polignac Fortress
- Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
- Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
- Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)
You'll leave the town of Le Puy along the Velay greenway, which will take you as far as Coubon. The road then climbs, revealing sweeping views over the Château de Bouzols, perched on its volcanic rock spur above the Loire.
You'll then reach Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, a mountain village marking the gateway to the Mézenc massif. The route will lead you on to the village of Présailles, before reaching the resort village of Les Estables, with Mont Mézenc as a backdrop — a truly magical arrival.
Discover:
• Coubon
- St. Georges Church
- Poinsac Castle
- Volhac Fortified House
• Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille
- Saint Chaffre Abbey, which combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture. > Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
- Museum of Popular Beliefs
- School Museum
- The Recoumène Viaduct
• Longetrée
> Longetraye Cave Trail
• Freycenet-la-Cuche
> The Fortified House
• Les Estables
> Ascent of Mont Mézenc – Roof of the Haute-Loire and Ardèche
> Les Estables Church
> A walk to the Boutières cross for views of the Ardèche, the Rhône Valley, and the Alps
After a lovely night spent in the village of Les Estables, it will be time to hop back on your bikes, heading towards Le Puy-en-Velay. You'll ride along a small road, in perfect harmony with these vast meadows, then on towards Saint-Front and its hamlet of Bigorre, known for its thatched cottages.
You'll then descend along a small road into the magnificent Aubépin valley, before reaching Brives-Charensac and then Le Puy-en-Velay.
Final overnight stay of the trip, with dinner... breakfast included (note: I flagged "Denier" as a likely typo for "Dernier" and translated accordingly — let me know if you meant something else)
- 4 days bike tour: Overnight with B&B basis
- 3 days bike tour: End of your stay with luggage collection from 5 p.m. at our partner's location, or with an optional extra night in Puy-en-Velay (overnight stay & breakfast with luggage delivery to the hotel).
Discover:
• Saint-Front
- The typical highland village – Saint-Front
- The Souteyros waterfall
- The 12th-century Romanesque church – Saint Front
- The volcanic lake
- The thatched village and the Bigorre Ecomuseum
• Saint-Germain-Laprade
- Château du Bourg
- Remains of the former Doue Abbey
• Brives-Charensac
- The bridges spanning the Loire
The 13th-century Chartreuse Bridge, the 12th-century Old Bridge in the center of Brives-Charensac, of which only two arches remain, and the Gallard Bridge, used by cars.
End of our services after breakfast
Prices include:
- Accommodation in hôtel*** or guesthouse a double, twin, single (with extra) or multiple-occupancy room
- Half-board basis except the last night in Le Puy booked on B&B basis
- Tourist taxes,
- Luggage transfer at the stopover (1 bag max. 13kg / person – Dimensions: length + width + height < 120cm)
- 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,
- Multitasks and cancellation insurance
- Single supplement
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
- E-bike rental with two panniers + the commercial guarantee “Sereine Mind”: +€85/bike
- Standard bike rental with two panniers + the commercial guarantee “Sereine Mind: +€50/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 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 built numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small traditional hotels to offer you the best of Haute-Loire, so that every stage of your journey is also a chance to discover the region’s architecture, way of life, and gastronomy — as well as a moment of genuine exchange and encounter.
Half-board
When you select a trip offered on a half-board basis — which in most cases includes dinner with a set menu, as well as breakfast (please note that breakfast may be continental or international depending on the accommodation) — we invite you to let us know of any food allergies or specific dietary requirements. Establishments will generally be able to accommodate travellers who:
- suffer from confirmed allergies (which can involve the immune system, with a risk of potentially severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock), such as allergies to honey, tree nuts, or shellfish
- are vegetarian (due to its complexity and the significant constraints it places on accommodation providers, we are unfortunately unable to organise trips that include a vegan diet)
- follow a diet for religious reasons
For intolerances (difficulty of the digestive system in processing certain foods, with symptoms that are purely digestive, such as lactose or gluten intolerance) and dietary restrictions: we will inform accommodation providers in advance. However, some hosts may find it difficult to accommodate the full range of increasingly frequent dietary requirements. We thank you in advance for adapting your food choices to the meals offered during your stay, and for bringing any dietary supplements or gluten-free bread you may need.
Please note: additional charges may apply for special diets, depending on the terms set by certain accommodation providers.
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 & 14 days: €100/14 days – 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.
- 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
Prices given for information purposes only, subject to change without notice
Whether you’re looking to book your electric bike trip or have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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