Gard, like the rest of Languedoc’s five departements, has plenty to offer the cycling tourist. There are three distinct areas within Gard, all with unique characteristics. The southern-most area, Camargue and Mediterranean, is a flat, wild area of marshes, vineyards, horses and bulls. The riding is easy, unless there is a wind, which is pretty common. The Vines and Garrigues area is where you’ll find most of the historical sights of the department and is probably the best area to ride if you only choose one.The Cévennes is the rural and mountainous northern part of Gard and a really excellent area to ride…if you like climbs! Here’s the official tourism site, if you’d like more information. Here is an article on cycling in and around Nîmes, the capital of Gard.

Lozère is the white sheep of Languedoc. If the other 4 departements of the region offer up crusader towns, endless vineyards and city life, lonely Lozère gives you pristine nature, rural culture and yes, sheep! For the cyclist it is a challenging place to travel, but only because of its terrain – i.e. never flat. Even though this area is the least populated part of France it still has enough campsites, restaurants and bakeries to deal with the intrepid bike rider. And, having said all that about the mountains, I must say they aren’t that high – your highest pass shouldn’t be much over 1000 meters. Here is the official tourism site for more information.

Hérault is the departement you are most likely to visit, if for the simple reason it is in the middle of Languedoc! There are other good reasons to come to Hérault though. Montpellier, the capital city, is one of Europe’s fastest growing and dynamic towns, and an excellent place to base yourself, or start your cycling adventure. Hérault is also endowed with plenty of natural attractions, from Mediterranean beaches to outstanding gorges. Culturally there is plenty to keep you interested as well - St. Guilhem le Désert is a World Heritage Site, the Cathar village of Minervois is one of the most beautiful in France, and Montpellier always seems to be hosting a festival. For the cyclist, you can choose anything from crêpe-flat coastal riding to white-knuckle gorge descents, but for the most part you’ll be riding rolling countryside with sun-drenched vineyards to the left and to the right…sounds pretty good, huh? Check the official tourism site for more information. Here is an article on cycling in and around Montpellier, the capital of Hérault.

Aude is not nicknamed ‘Cathar Country’ for nothing, and spills over with spectacular and romantic castles, often clinging to the cliffs they were built into. Aude also boasts a long stretch of the Canal du Midi, as well as the fairy-tale city of Carcassonne. If you get tired of the sun inland Aude also has its share of it along the Mediterranean coast, with beach resorts stringing from one end of the departement to the other. The cyclist has a lot to choose from in Aude, and the riding is excellent everywhere, with flat rides along the coast and canal, undulating wine country, and steep climbs in the Pyrenean foothills. Check the official tourism website for more information. Here is an article on cycling in and around Narbonne, one of the largest towns in Aude.

Pyrénées-Orientales, bordering Catalunya, Spain, is a seriously good place to ride…if you are a serious rider! There aren’t many flat bits of roads here, except perhaps on the Mediterranean, which incidentally, has some some of the best beaches in Languedoc. Culturally, even if you are still in France, this is Catalunya, and you will see their national flag everywhere you ride. Catalan is still spoken by a large number of people. It goes without saying that the mountains here are really beautiful – the Pyrenees being much wilder and greener than the Alps. If you love climbs, descents, or both, then this is the departement for you! Check the official tourism site for more information. Here is an article on cycling in and around Perpignan, the capital of Pyrénées-Orientales.

Provence. Yes, I know, Provence is not in Languedoc. But it’s right next door and entirely too good to pass up! This is a region of aromatic lavender fields, dramatically perched medieval villages, and a variety of landscapes that will guarantee that you never have a dull moment in Provence. Mind you, it’s also completely filled with tourists in the summer months, but even then, with a little planning and a good map, you can escape onto quiet roads of sunflowers and smiles all around!