Mazamet: where every cyclist finds their perfect ride
Whether you prefer a gentle ride through the countryside with a picnic basket on the handlebars, or you see a 1,200-metre summit and think “challenge accepted”, Mazamet in south-west France has something for you. Nestled at the foot of the Montagne Noire and surrounded by quiet roads, dedicated cycle paths and serious climbing routes, this small town in the Tarn has been a favourite with cyclists for years, and for good reason.
We welcome cycling groups and solo riders regularly at La Villa de Mazamet, and over the years we’ve built up a good knowledge of the best routes, the quietest roads, and the cafés with the best post-ride coffee. Here’s our guide to cycling from our front gates in 2026.
The PassaPaïs: over 76km of car-free cycling
The jewel in Mazamet’s cycling crown is the PassaPaïs Véloccitanie (also known as the Voie Verte), a dedicated cycle path that runs from Mazamet to Bédarieux along a former railway line. The path starts just 200 metres from the gates of La Villa, making it about as convenient as it gets.
The name “PassaPaïs” means “through the land” in Occitan, and it really does take you through some beautiful countryside. The route follows the Vallée du Thoré, passing through villages, alongside rivers and through tunnels carved from the rock. With a gentle gradient (it was a railway line, after all), the PassaPaïs is suitable for all levels of fitness and experience.
Click the image above to see the full-size image. Courtesy of Parc naturel du Haut-Languedoc
We always suggest to guests that they pick a destination rather than trying to do the whole thing in one go. The distance table above gives you a handy reference for planning. Some of our favourite stops along the way include the Textile Museum in Labastide-Rouairoux (25.6km from Mazamet) and the spectacular Grottes de la Devèze, a cave system also known as “the glass spinner cave”, just off the route near Courniou (33.3km).
Pick up some provisions at the Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday morning market in Mazamet before you set off. Fresh bread, local charcuterie, a bottle of something cold from the region, and you have yourself a perfect picnic for one of the many shaded spots along the route.
For the serious road cyclist
If the flat, gentle PassaPaïs doesn’t quite get your heart rate where you want it, the roads around Mazamet will.
The Pic de Nore
The Pic de Nore is the highest point of the Montagne Noire at 1,211 metres, and the road up from Mazamet is a 12.5km climb that local cyclists have dubbed the “mini Ventoux”. It featured on the route of the 2018 Tour de France, and on a clear day the views from the summit stretch all the way to the Pyrenees. It’s a proper test of legs and lungs, but the descent (and the bragging rights) make it worthwhile.
Laurent Jalabert’s training route
Mazamet’s most famous cyclist is Laurent Jalabert, the former professional road racer who wore the Tour de France yellow jersey and became world champion. His 79km training loop from Mazamet climbs from 380 metres to 1,200 metres through the Montagne Noire and the Monts de Lacaune. It’s a serious ride, but one that gives you a taste of the terrain that shaped one of France’s finest cyclists.
Quiet roads, big scenery
One of the things that makes cycling around Mazamet so enjoyable is simply how quiet the roads are. Once you leave town, you can ride for kilometres without seeing a car. The Montagne Noire and the surrounding hills offer routes of every length and difficulty, and the scenery (rolling vineyards, pine forests, medieval villages perched on hilltops) never gets old. There are over 28 pre-planned cycle routes available through the Castres-Mazamet tourist office, and we have leaflets for your perusal at La Villa.
Courtesy of Tourisme Montagne Noire
Extending your ride beyond Mazamet
The cycling network around Mazamet keeps growing. From Castres (a short train ride from Mazamet), you can pick up another 47km section of dedicated cycle path linking Castres to Albi, again along a former railway line. And from the other end of the PassaPaïs at Bédarieux, the route now continues towards Béziers and the Mediterranean coast, crossing a ridge at 395 metres before descending through the famous Faugères vineyards to the River Orb.
Combining these routes, you can put together a multi-day cycling trip covering well over 150km of dedicated paths through some of the finest landscapes in the south of France, all accessible from our front door.
Bike hire: no need to bring your own
Not everyone wants the hassle of transporting bikes, and we’ve got you covered with two excellent local partners.
For families and leisure cycling: Esprit Moto 81 / 2x2 Roues offer a range of quality e-bikes that are perfect for families and those who want to enjoy the PassaPaïs without worrying about the occasional uphill section. E-bikes have transformed cycling holidays for many of our guests, letting everyone ride together regardless of fitness level.
For serious road cyclists: 128 Bike Avenue cater to riders who want a proper road bike. Whether you need a high-performance carbon frame for tackling the Pic de Nore or simply prefer the feel of a quality road bike beneath you, they can set you up with the right machine.
We’re happy to help arrange hire before your arrival so that everything is ready when you get here.
After the ride: your base at La Villa
A great cycling holiday isn’t only about the riding. After a day in the saddle, you want somewhere comfortable to come back to, a good meal, and maybe something to ease those tired legs.
At La Villa, we offer four beautifully appointed rooms (two Superior rooms and two Balcony rooms), all with views of either the Montagne Noire or our garden. Breakfast is included and designed to fuel your day on the bike.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, Janice’s table d’hôtes is the perfect way to round off a day’s cycling: a four-course menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and local wines, all enjoyed around a shared table with fellow guests. Geoffrey will happily recommend a wine to match.
And for recovery, our Le Petit Spa and pool are exactly what tired muscles need. A swim, a soak, or a massage from Pierre will have you ready to go again the next morning.
Plan your 2026 cycling holiday
Mazamet really is a cyclist’s paradise, whatever your level. The combination of dedicated cycle paths, challenging mountain roads, quiet country lanes, and a warm welcome at La Villa makes it the ideal base for a cycling holiday in the south of France.
Our calendar fills up quickly (particularly in May, June and September when the weather is ideal for cycling), so we’d suggest booking early. Take a look at our explore page for more on what the area has to offer, visit our rooms page to check availability, or contact us to discuss your cycling plans. We can help with route suggestions, bike hire arrangements and anything else you need to make the most of your time on two wheels.
We look forward to welcoming you and your cycling friends to Mazamet in 2026.
