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customized cycling in ancient france
aveyron and Tarn
Cycling Magnolias specialises in supported or self-guided, forest-mountain-river-gourmet cycling holidays in the idyllic cycling environment of the Tarn and Aveyron in the South West of France in  the midi-Pyrenees.
Our clients are based at the magnificent Les Magnolias hotel (home of Cycling Magnolias) for the duration of their stay in the quaint village of Plaisance and we help them design their ideal cycling program for however many days they wish to explore the area. We have top-of-the-range racing, flat bar and electric bikes as well as customized maps of over 20 green, yellow or red routes, varying widely in difficulty and levels of fitness and all starting and ending in Plaisance.  Each route starts and ends at Les Magnolias and offers a different experience of the scenic countryside, villages and towns surrounding Plaisance, with elevation gains of up to 3000 meters and distances  of up to 150 kms per route. Our routes pass by two of the Most Beautiful Villages in France (Brousse-Le-Chateau and Peyre), the UNESCO town of Albi, the categorised “Little town of character” of Combret and many other magic hidden ancient villages. We would love to help you plan your next cycling holiday incorporating whatever combination of cycling distance, elevation profile and bicycle preference you or your group desire!  Our impressive selection of eBikes ensures that everyone is able to experience our routes regardless of their level of fitness. We are the perfect cycling holiday destination for individuals, groups or families wishing to combine cycling with a gourmet experience as well as other activities such as walking, canoeing or historic site-seeing.  Cyclists also enjoy simply relaxing at the hotel terraces shaded by giant Magnolias trees, playing boules or swimming in our gorgeous pool.
Each of our itineraries are designed to be either:
Self-guided: Including daily recommendations on the most appropriate cycling routes for your group including personalised route maps.  Our minibus always on standby for any emergency.
Supported: Including daily following vehicle accompanying you throughout your cycling holiday.
supported and self-guided itineraries

most popular cycling programs

7 nights
plaisance
Cyclists are based at Les Magnolias in Plaisance for 7 nights, cycling a different spectacular route each day through stunning ancient villages stopping along the way for coffee, lunch and swim breaks in the Tarn river.  Each ride starts after breakfast from the Magnolias and returns to the hotel in the afternoon or early evening, in time for a swim and a beer and local gourmet dinner! Final itineraries are subject to seasonal considerations and designed to ensure that rides and activities are matched to different levels of fitness and interest in historical and other pursuits.This program is offered as a supported or self-guided package.
ride & dine
flexible stay

Our Ride & Dine special package allows our guests to stay for as short or long a period as they wish at Les Magnolias exploring the cycling wonderland of Plaisance and its surroundings.  It covers B&B, a special dinner each day, a high quality bike (or ebike) and our fabulous daily advice on ideal routes and stops.

9 nights
plaisance & basque

Groups of up to 8 cyclists (minimum 6) are picked up at gorgeous Biaritz for a 6 night program through both the French and Spanish Basque regions and returned to Plaisance for 3 days of cycling in the magic Aveyron.  After an afternon and evening of wondering and feasting in Biaritz this program takes cyclists through the picturesque towns of St Jean de Luz, St Sebastian, Getaria and Bilbao. Please enquire with us directly about this program, which includes airport transfers and a daily following vehicle, but where cyclists are required to make their own hotel and restaurant reservations (we will give you great suggestions!) for the Basque part of the tour. This program is only offered in the May, June and September months.

8 nights
plaisance & tour de france

Each year the Tour de France passes close to Les Magnolias and Plaisance.  Depending on the official tour route,  Cycling Magnolias arranges a program combining a certain number of days cycling the magnificent circuits around Plaisance and a number of days cycling some of that year’s official tour routes.  Please enquire with us directly about next year’s Plaisance Tour De France supported or self-guided package.

testimonials

from OUR clients

Adriaan and Dee

“The hotel accommodation, service and food were 5 star. The cycling routes were fantastic. A special thanks for these well planned routes which offer a combination of hard and gentle training, from river valleys to mountain tops, from chateaux to cafés on quite beautiful roads. We had a fantastic holiday with exceptional cycle routes and wonderful village experience in a perfect setting. Very well organised to the last detail. Well done Claudia (‘A’ personality).

R Loots

“The memories of this tour can only be captured in our hearts, because photo’s don’t have emotions & don’t paint the same pictures, it was an experience of a life time”

A Henning

“Wow! From easy, pleasant and beautiful family rides along the Tarn river, interrupted by the occasional refreshing swim, to seriously challenging hill-climbs and long rides, Plaisance has it all.  The rural French villages, history, restaurants and natural beautiful also add a huge variety of interest for those who prefer not to bruise their bums. It is an ideal place for a group with very mixed cycling abilities and interests. Thanks Claudia!”

Mieke Jordaan

“This was a wonderful experience, to cycle in France among the beautiful forests and between the little towns with its charming and romantic history hidden in the ancient buildings, so well kept.

As for our hosts; Claudia and Dietmar, thanks a lot!! You did everything in your power in a very professional way to make our stay very pleasant, arranging lovely evenings with the local festivities, as well as visits to places of interest, not to mention your hospitality at Hotel Les Magnolias and your house.

We highly recommend this trip to any enthusiastic cyclist and his spouse”

Marulette Pelser

Hi Claudia,  I have been spending my holidays in Plaisance for the past 30 years, at my old family house close to the Magnolias hotel. I wanted to let you know that the trip that you organised for me this summer was one of the most beautiful sport/tourism experiences of my life – perfect bike, organisation on top, weather beautiful (like all of the time in Plaisance…).

Thank you also for understanding my requirements and allowing me to combine riding with swimming in the Tarn – as I have told you, I am a big fan of the AQUATHLON.

Bye and thank you so much and see your next year with many friends who want to bike !!!!”

historical atttractions

plaisance and its surroundings

The worlds tallest cable-stayed road bridge.

The worlds tallest cable-stayed road bridge.

“In Cordes, everything is beautiful, even regret”.

“In Cordes, everything is beautiful, even regret”.

The characterful village of Combret

The characterful village of Combret

One of the

One of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”.

A beautiful, hidden village on the Tarn River.

A beautiful, hidden village on the Tarn River.

The UNESCO medieval town of Albi.

The UNESCO medieval town of Albi.

contact us
Address: Rue des Magnolias, 12550 Plaisance, France
Email: claudia@cyclingmagnolias.co.za
Contact us via cell
+33 6 33 17 85 01 (France)
+27 83 603 4954 (South Africa)