Arrival
We will pick you up at your arrival airport or agreed location and transport you to the picturesque town of Neffies, which will be the home base for your tour. No riding today; take the time to settle in and wander around the charming village.
Enjoy dinner at the Very’Table restaurant in Neffies or Table d’hote at La Belle Vue B&B
We will hold a welcome meeting in the morning to review the itinerary, answer questions and ensure everyone is comfortable on their hire bikes.
No formal cycling today.
Abbaye de Valmagne
Today’s ride will begin by meandering leisurely through the vineyard roads before ascending to the picturesque hilltop village of Aumes. We will stop for a break to take in the view and take a few pictures in the charming central square before continuing on to the Abbaye of Valmagne.
This historic abbey is a designated “Monumente de France” and is definitely worth exploring. It is referred to as the Cathedral of the Vines as it has been associated with wine making for centuries – in fact they still produce wine there today.
Guided tours are offered throughout the day, usually only in French, but with guide cards in other languages. The tour will be followed by a tasting of the Abbey’s bio wines produced on site.
We will have lunch at the Abbey’s excellent restaurant before heading back to Neffies passing through the pretty winemaking towns of Sainte Pargoire, Uclas d’ Herault and Adissan.
You will notice that many of the villages in the region, are constructed on a circular plan. Steeped in over 1000 years of history and winemaking, these traditional “circulade” villages are typical of the Languedoc region. Originating in medieval times, these villages are constructed in concentric circles generally with a church or chateau at the centre. In most cases, at least some vestiges of the protective city walls remain.
Distance: 55-60km
Tasting the Wines of Languedoc
Today’s route is dedicated to discovering some of the independent winemakers of Languedoc and of course tasting their wines. We will cycle a pretty loop through the vineyard roads taking in several picturesque towns including Gabian, Margon and Fouzilhon. At Margon we will take the time to explore the gardens of the beautifully restored Chateau Margon.
We will stop at 3 vineyards on route where we will be greeted by the winemakers themselves who will present their stories and their wines. We will sample the wines of the two major appellations of this area: AOP Languedoc & AOP Faugères.
The second tasting of the day will include a tapas style lunch with food and wine pairings.
After lunch, the route will become a bit more challenging as we cycle through the schiste hills of the Faugerès appellation. You will be rewarded for your efforts by some stunning views but also by the opportunity to taste some of these special wines.
All purchases made at any of the vineyards we visit will be collected after the ride and delivered to Bellevue.
Distance: 30-55km
PicPoul & Oysters
Today we feature the fresh tastes of the Mediterranean coast. We will sample some of the best oysters produced in France along with a zesty white wine which is grown exclusively in this region.
The production of Picpoul white wine is centered around a few small villages close to the Bassin de Thau, that coincidentally produces much of France’s high class oysters and mussels. Situated on a limestone plateau, the wine is made from a single Piquepoul grape variety and is a light acidic wine, with citrus fruit aromas. It is the perfect accompaniment to seafood.
We will stop for a tasting at a local Picpoul domaine where the winemaker will explain what makes this grape so special and let us sample his wines.
After the domaine visit we will cycle on to Pezenas for a seafood lunch featuring a fresh oyster tasting, paired with Picpoul of course.
Once the capital of ancient Languedoc, Pézena’s medieval town centre is full of history and charm as well as many boutiques and cafes. Take the time after lunch to explore the pedestrian-only historic centre and the ancient Jewish Quarter. Pézenas is a local artistic hub. Pop in to the many artisan workshops and galleries; there are marked routes you can follow.
We will then transport you to the airport or agreed location for your onward journey.
Distance: 25-30km
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