Volcanic splendour
The beauty of Auvergne, archetype of bygone rural France, where men wear berets and women wear aprons, is little known by tourists. And this peaceful hamlet sits atop Europe’s most extensive volcanic formation, dormant and beautifully green. The spectacular, sweeping landscape presents quite a cycling challenge. During your stay, you will bike in loops through the prefecture Le Puy-en-Velay, famous for its twelfth-century Notre-Dame Cathedral, the subprefecture of Saint-Flour, perched on a rocky overhang, and the commune of Saint-Nectaire, which lent its name to the delicious cheese for which this region is known. The ideal destination for diehard cyclists who appreciate culture and good cuisine…
En liberté formula: a more flexible adventureBefore your departure, as for our other formulas, we plan everything: transportation, accommodations, meals and, of course, our exclusive itineraries. Once at your destination, however, you have more freedom organizing your day.
The En liberté bike trip experience is designed for independent cyclists on the route. By opting for this formula, without a guide or relief vehicle, you will receive all the information you need to ensure that your trip goes smoothly, as well as the daily itineraries. The latter propose routes of interest around certain stopover cities, chosen for their offer of services and their accommodations. The En liberté formula - a different kind of adventure that still has the Vélo Québec Voyages touch.
Travelling En liberté means...
- Being able to choose your departure date mainly between May and September;
- Travelling as a couple or a family, with your work colleagues or your cycling club;
- Relying on a Vélo Québec Voyages representative, if you are a group of 10 or more people. This representative will ensure the success of your trip and advise you on your route choices.
Departure date of your choice
Price of land portion (taxes included) :
starting from $2,695 / person
General Conditions
Options for serving you better
Delayed departure or return, single occupancy, travel insurance, bike rental (for several destinations) and much more: ask our consultants!
Price of land portion (taxes included) :
starting from $2,695 / person
Trip length: 13 days / 12 nights
Level of difficulty:
4/4+ 
General Conditions
Options for serving you better
Delayed departure or return, single occupancy, travel insurance, bike rental (for several destinations) and much more: ask our consultants!
From day to day
Day 1 - Rendez-vous in Lyon airport and transfer to Le Puy-en-Velay (2 hrs).
Day 2 - Free day or looped route via Solignac-sur-Loire, Cayres, Alleyras, Monistrol d’Allier, Bains (80 to 98 km).
Day 3 - Free day or looped route via Les Baraques, Le Brignon, Ussel, St-Martin-de-Fugères, Les Estables, Laussonne, Lantriac, Coubon (95 km).
Day 4 - Free day or looped route via Lavoûte-sur-Loire, Rosière, Retournaguet, Roche-en-Régnier, Vorey, Blanzac, Polignac (88 km).
Day 5 - Le Puy-en-Velay, Chaspuzac, Siaugues-Saint-Romain, Langeac, Saint-Cirgues, Chastel, Sistrières, Saint-Flour (92 km).
Day 6 - Free day or looped route via Villedieu,Le Château d’Alleuze, Fridefont, Faverolles, le Viaduct de Garabit, Le Pirou (60 km).
Day 7 - Free day or looped route via Coltines, Dienne, Lavigerie, Col du Pas de Peyrol, Mandailles-Saint-Julien, Supre-Lioran, Murat, Ussel, Roffiac (55 ou 113 km).
Day 8 - Saint-Flour, Talizat, Neussargues-Moissac, Allanche, Marcenat, Espinchal, Besse-en-Chandesse, Saint-Nectaire (95 km).
Day 9 - Free day or looped route via Le Château de Murol,. Le Mont Dore, La Bourboule, Col de la Croix-Morand, Freydefont (70 km).
Day 10 - Free day or looped route via Montaigut-le-Blanc, Saint-Floret, Issoire, Babel, Vic-le-Comte, Tallende, Saint-Saturnin, Olloix (70 km).
Day 11 - Free day.
Day 12 - Transfer from Saint-Nectaire to Lyon (2 hrs 15).
Day 13 - Transfer to Lyon airport.
Elevation Profile
Day 2 - Free day or looped route via Solignac-sur-Loire, Cayres, Alleyras, Monistrol d’Allier, Bains (80 to 98 km).
Day 3 - Free day or looped route via Les Baraques, Le Brignon, Ussel, St-Martin-de-Fugères, Les Estables, Laussonne, Lantriac, Coubon (95 km).
Day 4 - Free day or looped route via Lavoûte-sur-Loire, Rosière, Retournaguet, Roche-en-Régnier, Vorey, Blanzac, Polignac (88 km).
Day 5 - Le Puy-en-Velay, Chaspuzac, Siaugues-Saint-Romain, Langeac, Saint-Cirgues, Chastel, Sistrières, Saint-Flour (92 km).
Day 6 - Free day or looped route via Villedieu,Le Château d’Alleuze, Fridefont, Faverolles, le Viaduct de Garabit, Le Pirou (60 km).
Day 7 - Free day or looped route via Coltines, Dienne, Lavigerie, Col du Pas de Peyrol, Mandailles-Saint-Julien, Supre-Lioran, Murat, Ussel, Roffiac (55 ou 113 km).
Day 8 - Saint-Flour, Talizat, Neussargues-Moissac, Allanche, Marcenat, Espinchal, Besse-en-Chandesse, Saint-Nectaire (95 km).
Day 9 - Free day or looped route via Le Château de Murol,. Le Mont Dore, La Bourboule, Col de la Croix-Morand, Freydefont (70 km).
Day 10 - Free day or looped route via Montaigut-le-Blanc, Saint-Floret, Issoire, Babel, Vic-le-Comte, Tallende, Saint-Saturnin, Olloix (70 km).
Day 11 - Free day.
Day 12 - Transfer from Saint-Nectaire to Lyon (2 hrs 15).
Day 13 - Transfer to Lyon airport.
Elevation Profile
The package includes:
- transfer between airport and hotel;
- 12 nights in three-star hotel (double occupancy);
- 12 breakfasts and 3 evening meals;
- baggage transportation between stopover cities (one bag per person, 20-kg maximum);
- a plan of 9 bike routes in the form of GPX data and paper maps;
- information to ensure that the trip goes smoothly: contact details and phone numbers of the carriers at destination, bike stores, phone number in case of an emergency, etc.;
- taxes;
- protection from the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents (CFCTA). No charge from January 1st, 2019;
- presence of a Vélo Québec Voyages representative, if you are a group of 10 or more people.
The land portion price indicated is for double occupancy. For further information, including the possibility of reserving a flight, please contact us.
Start/Finish: Lyon Airport