Come and discover 4 railroad lines reconverted into greenways, for the greatest happiness of cyclists! Discover the history of these old lines as well as those of the villages that surround them! Do not forget to take breaks to admire the landscapes!

•        Passa Païs, between Mazamet and Bédarieux

You leave by train from Toulouse and reach Mazamet in a first step. You will follow the old railroad line at the foot of the Montagne Noire to Bédarieux, passing through Olargues, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. You will reach Béziers by train, or by bike, for the bravest!

Passa Païs means " Passe-Pays " in Occitan. It is the longest greenway in Occitania. With its 76 kilometers, it will lead you from the Midi Cathar to the Mediterranean basin, through forests, hedgerows, middle mountains, and moors.

An escapade that can be done in 2 or 3 days.

Find our itinerary by clicking here.

•        The green way of the Gaves, from Lourdes to Pierrefitte-Nestalas

You arrive in Lourdes by train, with your bike, from the Pink City. You take the old railroad line and go up the Gaves valley along the Gave de Pau for about 20 kilometers. It is possible to extend the itinerary to Cauterets, by following the green way for about ten kilometers. You turn back and return to Toulouse by train.

The line Lourdes - Pierrefitte-Nestelas appeared at the end of the 19th century. It was intended to bring the curists to the thermal baths of Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Cauterets from the terminus of the Pierrefitte-Nestalas station. Also, it contributed to the economic development of the valley by transporting workers, freight from quarries, mines, and chemical factories. The line was definitively closed in 1933, following the drop in the number of visitors to the thermal spas and the closure of the quarries, mines, and factories.

A 40 to 60 kilometers trip, which can be done during the day.

•        Perpignan - Thuir

You start your journey in Argelès-sur-Mer and head for Canet-en-Roussillon then Perpignan. You take the greenway from the train station and pass the villages of Toulouges and Canohès. You cross the vineyards with a superb view on the Aspres and the Canigou. You reach Llupia and then Thuir. After a stroll through the old streets of this pretty town and a visit to the Byrrh cellars, you get back on your bike and head for Argelès-sur-Mer via Ponteilla and its vineyards.

An 83 kilometers ride that can be done during the day for the most athletic, or in 2 days with a break in Thuir for the night.

•        Balaruc-le-Vieux - Mèze

From Sète, take the cycle track to Balaruc-le-Vieux where you join the old railroad. Ride along the Thau pond and cross the protected site of the Crique de l'Angle, linking Bouzigues and Mèze, centers of oyster and shellfish production and tasting. Once you arrive in Mèze, you have two options: continue towards Marseillan and go around the Thau pond by following the tracks or return to Sète by retracing your steps.

An escapade of about forty (round trip) or sixty (tour of the pond) kilometers, achievable over the day.

Stay tuned for new adventures with Paulette!

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