Manche to Med: 7-20 September 2024
FULLY BOOKED AND COMPLETED
This classic ride from the Channel to the Mediterranean is on the wish list of many cyclists, as one of the great road adventures. Great Bike Rides has tailored this route to make it achievable within a fortnight averaging 60 miles/100 k per day, with an afternoon off on Day 7 in the spa town of Vichy, and with a couple of days around the 70 mile mark. Taking the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, the first few days will see us rolling along the quiet Normandy roads before crossing the Loire. There will then be some climbing (and swooping!) as we skirt the Massif Central through the Auvergne, before descending into Languedoc towards our finish at the city of Montpellier on the blue Mediterranean.
The ride is self-supported, but always in company with an experienced guide who is qualified in roadside maintenance, outdoor first aid, and in tour leading. It would suit the reasonably fit rider on any road, hybrid or e-bike (so long as their range is sufficient for the daily distances), travelling light with probably a couple of average panniers and a small bar bag. As ever, the lighter the bags, the easier it all is! We will also start gently with a couple of days of low mileage in flattish countryside to get us going.
Have a look at the itinerary and photos below, with the prices at the end. It really is an epic ride!
-
Day 1
Meet at Newhaven Ferry Terminal (right next to Newhaven Town rail station or with cheap parking available). Catch the 0930 ferry for the 4 hour crossing to Dieppe. On arrival, we enjoy the traffic-free and flat Avenue Verte for the whole way to Forges-les-Eaux for our first night stop.
Ferry, Dinner, B&B included.
Distance:
35 miles/56 k.
-
Day 2
We ride through the lush Normandy countryside, via the beautiful town of Les Andelys (made famous by Poussin) to the River Seine at the ancient town of Giverny, where we have the chance to visit Monet’s lovely house and garden. Overnight near Vernon
61 miles/98k
Picnic Lunch, Dinner B&B included
-
Day 3
Skirting well to the west of Paris, we will be riding through lots of domain forests, via the lovely town of Lyons-la-Foret before entering the Loire region to finish the day at the ancient town of Dourdan.
62 miles/100k
Picnic Lunch, Dinner B&B included
-
Day 4
The landscape will begin to change now, as we ride across flattish countryside via the attractive town of Pithviers, on a longer cycling day, reaching the Loire and overnighting at Sully-sur-Loire
65 miles/104k
Picnic Lunch, Dinner B&B included
-
Day 5
Today we will be near, and sometimes on, the banks of the Loire as we head through attractive country to our night stop at the lovely hill town of Sancerre (with time to enjoy a glass or two on the terrace!)
60 miles/97k
Picnic Lunch, Dinner B&B included
-
Day 6
A long but attractive day today as we join the River Allier (our friend for the next 6 days) with some mild climbing and the prospect of a half day rest tomorrow in the spa town of Vichy!
72 miles/116k
Picnic Lunch, Dinner B&B included
Newhaven-Dieppe Ferry
Avenue Verte
Near Rambouillet
Loire Road
Vichy (free mineral water on tap!)
Monet's Lily Pond
Somewhere in northern France!
Getting Ready to Go
Dinner!
-
Day 7
An easy morning to Vichy, where you will have the afternoon and evening entirely to yourselves - perhaps time to treat yourself with a visit to a thermal spa? There is plenty to do in this lively, pretty city.
B&B included
33 miles/53k
-
Day 8
Refreshed and rested, you will now begin to feel you are in a very different part of France - ahead you will see the mountains of Mont-Doré and the start of the Auvergne, through which we are going to thread for the next few days. This is quite a long day, of two halves: fine riding on quiet, flat roads, followed by an afternoon with our first real climb, finishing in the pretty town of Issoire .
56 miles/90k
Picnic lunch, dinner and B&B included
-
Day 9
Today we will be running down the Allier gorge, with spectacular scenery (the afternoon after Brioude is a real treat) and a mixture of flat with some hills, staying overnight in the pretty town of Langeac, with a chance to cool off with a swim in the Allier!
57 miles/92k
Picnic lunch, dinner and B&B included
-
Day 10
A big climbing day, coming out of the Allier gorge and climbing to St Privat, 13m/20k and up to 3000 ft/900m. But it is beautiful scenery, following a spectacular corniche, and the overall distance is relatively short, finishing in the small town of Langogne.
54 miles/87k
Picnic lunch, dinner and B&B included
-
Day 11
Today we have a further climb up to the highest part of our route (3600 ft/1120m) before starting the long drop down to the Mediterranean plain towards the town of Alès, our stop for the night.
Picnic Lunch, Dinner B&B included
62 miles/101k
-
Day 12
Our final full day in the saddle, but with two spectacular highlights: the iconic Pont du Gard aqueduct, where we will have time to marvel and perhaps have a swim in the Gardon; and an evening in the ancient but lively city of NÎmes.
52 miles/84k
Picnic lunch, dinner and B&B included
-
Day 13
Our last day, as we cross the Camargue and reach the Mediterranean at last, to have a swim at the wonderful beach at Carnon-Plage, and then head into Montpellier with plenty of time to organize the bikes for travel the next day, to explore the city, and to enjoy a richly-deserved and celebratory dinner!
52 miles/85k
Picnic lunch, dinner and B&B included
-
Day 14
Departure. Arrangements will depend on your travel plans (you might stay a little longer, or return directly to UK). For those returning to UK that day, we will ride to Montpellier Airport for theafternoon easyJet flight to Gatwick (at time of press, dep 1645 arriving Gatwick 1745). I will have provided bike bags (about 800g) at the start of the tour for you to carry in your pannier. Please note that, under current regulations, e-bikes cannot be accepted on aircraft. I am always ready to discuss any train, bus or alternative flight options.
Heading south from Vichy
Towards Issoire
Last flattish stretch before climbing!
Top of Allier Gorge
Pont du Gard
Descending off Auvergne
The Med!
Canal near Montpellier
Never pass one by!
Prices:
£1589 per person (based on 2 sharing a room), £2075 per person (single room)
The price includes: all ferry travel, 13 nights B&B, dinner on 12 nights, picnic lunches on 11 days, and the services throughout of your tour leader. All you have to cover is booze, coffees and your flight home.
Single-room accommodation can be arranged, although this can be limited due to the small number of rooms in some hotels. Please do call to discuss.
A deposit of £160 will secure the booking, with the full balance due six weeks before departure.