Raid du Massif Central (Southern France)
- A stunning and varied raid cycling challenge through the Massif Central region of Southern France
- Six days on the bike, averaging 160km of distance and 2500 - 3000m of climbing per day
- Cycle through the volcanoes of the Auvergne, the mountains of the Haut Languedoc, and the Cévennes National Park with its magnificent limestone gorges.
- Conquer Tour de France climbs Mont Aigoual and Pas de Peyrol, with its savage final kms (13% and 12%!)
- Official raid route, including registration, certificate, and medal for successful finishers, but with some added Marmot extras!
- Experienced and passionate service from Marmot Tours with two customised support vans driven by attentive, fun and proactive guides
Days on the bike
Quote
Marmot has set the standard. Best value for money, organisation, freedom to ride at your own pace while supported, and great staff. I did a second tour with another company after this and Marmot came out ahead.
Introduction
Covering 15% of France, the Massif Central is an elevated region in Southern France consisting of craggy mountains and extensive plateaus, separated from the Alps by the Rhone valley. Frequently visited by the Tour de France, it is the perfect terrain and location for an epic raid cycling challenge! The 'Raid Cyclotouriste du Massif Central’ is an official route from the Fédération Français de Cyclotourisme, administered by the cycling club in Mazamet. As with all raids, you have a route carnet to get stamped at various points on the journey, and you'll receive a certificate and medal upon successful completion. However, we got a little excited by the opportunities for excellent road cycling in this part of France, so we've enhanced the official route with some cheeky extras that showcase the best riding of the area and make it a similar challenge to our other raids (Pyrenees, Alps, Corsica, and Dolomites).
You will fall in love with the rural wilderness of this region - the historic villages of the Cantal, the barren moorland of Mt Lozère, the deep limestone gorges and chestnut forests of the Cévennes, the vast view over Provence from Mont Aigoual and the arid mountains of the Haut-Languedoc. Add to that the challenge of the short but sharp gradients, the fact that you travel just over 900km in 6 days and tuck 16,900m of ascent under your belt and this is a raid to be reckoned with.
However, fear not! You'll have incomparable support from two expert (and fun!) Marmot guides with their customised vehicles. It's their mission to help you conquer your goals, to have fun (it's your holiday, after all!) and to send you home having had an unforgettable cycling experience.
To find out more about what it takes to cycle a raid, as well as the history and format, you can read our blogs RAIDS: A complete guide. All you need to know and more!and also Your Qs and As on Raid Cycling Challenges.
For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 6 days of stunning cycling, with detailed GPS route files provided
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 7 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Raid registration and carnet. Plus medal/certificate for successful finishers
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for detail
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
The Raid du Massif Central is a very challenging ride, and you need to be a fit and experienced road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. See our blog about Raids, and please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable hotels with ensuite facilities; most are 3* and the last night hotel is 4*. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
We move on each night of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Despite endless perseverance from us, some hotels still struggle at times to accommodate specific diets. It is possible you’ll encounter some repetitive dishes across the week.
Timings
Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
This trip is all about completing the cycling challenge! You are of course welcome to have a lift in our vans if you need one, for example if you’re injured or exhausted. A lift in the van (unless it is downhill in bad weather conditions) will invalidate your Raid completion.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
Departure Dates & Prices
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your third Marmot Tours road cycling holiday onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer included airport transfers from Geneva Airport (GVA) to the start hotel in Roanne (a journey of around 2hr 45min).
Day 1: Roanne to Issoire
Let's go! You'll start your raid heading up the Col du Bouchet (752m) and the Col des Essarts (918m) taking you to the base of the Monts du Forez, a high ridge marking the edge of the Loire valley. First ascending the Col de la Loge (1253m) you then head down and back up the challenging Col du Béal (1390m), the highest pass on the ride. Your reward is a great lunch and viewing stop at the top.
Collect your first carnet stamp in St-Dier-d’Auvergne before undulating the final 30km through rural France at its best. Your 3* hotel with an outdoor heated pool is in the town of Issoire.
Challenge : 163 KM with 2900m ascent
Day 2: Issoire to Salers
Today you traverse the Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne, a landscape of lush meadows and volcanoes. 50km of climbing through gorges, open pastures, ancient forests and past historic walled cities leads you to open moorland and the Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (1426m). The Puy de Sancy (1885m) dominates the horizon and you head around it (there is no road up or we'd be on it!).
Recharge with a coffee in the spa town of Le Mont-Dore before heading south over numerous short climbs including La Stèle (1245m) and the Col de la Besseyre (1042m). This is a stunning ride on good roads with hardly any traffic - cows outnumber people in this part of the world! Your destination is Salers, famous for its cheese production.
Challenge : 170 KM with 3100m ascent
Day 3: Salers to Aumont-Aubrac
The Puy Mary, the Volcano of Cantal, dominates the ride today. You'll have seen this area showcased by the Tour de France - it offers stunning scenery but also some infamous gradients.
Leaving Salers behind you, you head for the Pas de Peyrol (1598). Ask a child to draw a volcano and the gradients on paper are probably not far off the reality of this climb! Cranking up to 14% in the final few kms, this climb is a memorable one. Continuing on the exact 2024 Stage 11 Tour de France route, you head over the Col du Perthus (1309m) and up to the Col de Cère (1300m). After a quick stop in Murat you then climb the Col de Prat de Bouc (1396m) before turning your back on the volcanoes and heading for the deep Gorges de la Truyere. Your destination is the mountain town of Aumont-Aubrac.
Challenge : 143 KM with 3200m ascent
Day 4: Aumont-Aubrac to Meyrueis
Pleasant undulations take you to the town of Mende this morning, from where you take on the Cote de La Croix-Neuve (1091m) - a climb dedicated to Laurent Jalabert. It is short (3km), but exceptionally steep, with lots of 12-16%! The suffering is soon over and the Col de la Loubière (1188m) is a hidden treasure.
Next up is the Col de Finiels (1541m) of Mont Lozère. It is a bleak landscape strewn with granite boulders that leads you into the Cévennes, a region renowned for its beauty. After a riverside lunch in Le Post de Montvert, we head into the stunning Gorges du Tarn for 40kms before climbing over the limestone plateau of Median to the Col de la Coperlac (904m). A breathtaking descent takes you into the Gorges de la Jonte and your destination, the market town of Meyrueis.
Challenge : 162 KM with 2900m ascent
Day 5: Meyrueis to Lodève
The first climb of today is the mighty Mont Aigoual (1567m) - a fantastic climb through chestnut, beech & pine forests, from which you emerge to a stunning view of the Mediterranean to the south and Provence to the east.
Enjoy the descent to Treves before undulating across barren plateaux and deep gorges, with the highlight being the Cirque de Navacelles. It is reached by a road that weaves into the valley and back up the other side, clinging to the sheer cliff face. Your destination is the vibrant town of Lodève.
Challenge : 140 KM with 2400m ascent
Day 6: Lodève to Castres
The mountains of Haut-Languedoc are a hidden treasure of the Massif Central - you can expect smooth, quiet roads, well-graded climbs, rural scenery, sheep, goats, and vineyards!
We start today with the Col de la Baraque de Bral (610m) before a thrilling descent to St. Gervais-sur-Mare in time for coffee. Then it's onwards and upwards over the Col de la Pierre-Plantee (510m) and onto a stunning climb up the Col de l’Espinouse (1166m). From here you descend (mostly!) to Castres through beautiful rural France.
Your epic Raid Challenge is now complete and a celebration is in order!
Challenge : 138 KM with 2400m ascent
Day 7: Departure day
You've done it and now it's time for home! Our included transfers drop you back at Toulouse Airport (TLS), a journey of approx 1hr 30min.
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 6 days of stunning cycling, with detailed GPS route files provided
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 7 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Raid registration and carnet. Plus medal/certificate for successful finishers
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for detail
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
The Raid du Massif Central is a very challenging ride, and you need to be a fit and experienced road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. See our blog about Raids, and please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable hotels with ensuite facilities; most are 3* and the last night hotel is 4*. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
We move on each night of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Despite endless perseverance from us, some hotels still struggle at times to accommodate specific diets. It is possible you’ll encounter some repetitive dishes across the week.
Timings
Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
This trip is all about completing the cycling challenge! You are of course welcome to have a lift in our vans if you need one, for example if you’re injured or exhausted. A lift in the van (unless it is downhill in bad weather conditions) will invalidate your Raid completion.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
