A route connecting two seas through the finest landscapes in the South of France
When people think of cycling holidays in the south of France, they usually picture the Canal du Midi, the vineyards of the Hérault, or the steep climbs of the Montagne Noire. The Véloccitanie is all of that in one: a 237 km cycling itinerary connecting the Canal des 2 Mers cycle route (V80), crossing three very different landscapes from the Lauragais plains near Toulouse to the shores of the Mediterranean outside Béziers.
What makes this route particularly interesting for guests staying at La Villa de Mazamet is that Mazamet sits right at the heart of the central section, the Voie Verte Passapaïs. The starting point is literally 200 metres from our front door.
Here is what you will find on each of the three sections.
The Passapaïs Section: 77 km on a former railway line
This is the backbone of the Véloccitanie, and the one we know best. The Voie Verte Passapaïs follows the narrow corridor of the Thoré, Jaur and Orb valleys, developed between 2006 and 2013 along the old Mazamet-Bédarieux railway line. The compacted gravel surface makes it accessible to all levels, including families with children.
The route runs east from Aussillon/Mazamet all the way to Bédarieux, with one unmissable highlight along the way: the Tunnel de la Fenille and the col of the same name, which marks both the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and the boundary between the Tarn and Hérault departments. From that point on, the landscape shifts completely — you leave the Montagne Noire behind and ride into the garrigue and forests of the Hérault.
Among the stops we most often recommend to our guests: Saint-Pons-de-Thomières for its weekly market and prehistory museum, Olargues for its medieval village (one of the most beautiful in France), and Lamalou-les-Bains for a well-earned thermal spa break.
For a full breakdown of the Passapaïs from Mazamet — distances, stage suggestions and good addresses — see our article Cycling holidays in 2026: why Mazamet should be on your list.
The Western Section: 91 km through the Lauragais
The western section starts at the Seuil de Naurouze, the watershed point between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and heads towards Mazamet along the Rigole de la Plaine, one of the hydraulic engineering works of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is a gentle, largely flat véloroute through the plains and villages of the Lauragais. In summer, fields of sunflowers and wheat stretch as far as the eye can see. Castres, roughly halfway along, is worth a stop: it has an outstanding Goya museum and a pleasant old town centre along the Agout river.
Main stages: Seuil de Naurouze, Castelnaudary, Revel, Sorèze (with its abbey and national school), Belleserre, Saint-Avit, Viviers-lès-Montagnes, Saïx, Castres, Labruguière, Caucalières, through to Aussillon/Mazamet.
This section also works well as a day trip from Castres, which is about 30 minutes from Mazamet by car.
The Eastern Section: 68 km into the vineyards and down to the sea
From Bédarieux to Béziers, the eastern section is wine country. The Faugères and Saint-Chinian appellations dominate these hills, dotted with dry-stone walls that have been built and rebuilt here for centuries. The area is also rich in history, with traces of Gaulish settlements dating back to the 6th century BC, most notably at the Oppidum d’Ensérune overlooking the drained lake of Montady.
The highlight of this section is the Tunnel du Malpas, the first tunnel ever dug for a canal in Europe, built by Pierre-Paul Riquet to carry the Canal du Midi under the hill of Ensérune. A remarkable feat of 17th-century engineering.
Main stages: Bédarieux, Pézènes-les-Mines, Faugères, Caussiniojouls, Autignac, Puimisson, Murviel-lès-Béziers, Réals, Cazouls-lès-Béziers, Maureilhan, Montady, Colombiers, Béziers.
Plan your trip: download the official route guide
The Passapaïs-Véloccitanie professional network has published a comprehensive guide to help you plan your ride: a detailed map of all three sections, elevation profiles, distances between stages, and practical information.
A few practical points worth noting:
- Passapaïs surface: compacted stabilised gravel (suitable for hybrid and city bikes)
- Western and Eastern sections: cycle paths and greenways
- Emergency number: 112
- Reporting route issues: the SURICATE app
- One simple rule of the road: priority always goes to the slowest user. A ring of your bell or a cheerful “Bonjour” is all it takes.
More information at passapaisveloccitanie.fr, to whom we extend our gratitude for the beautioful flyers!
Mazamet: the ideal base for the Véloccitanie
Whether you want to ride all 237 km over several days or simply explore the Passapaïs section from Mazamet, La Villa de Mazamet is a natural starting point. The route begins 200 metres away, the Montagne Noire climbs are right on your doorstep for more ambitious riders, and after the effort, our pool and small spa are exactly what tired legs need.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, Janice’s table d’hôtes is the ideal way to round off a day in the saddle: a four-course dinner built around seasonal local produce and regional wines, shared around a single table with the other guests.
Our calendar fills up quickly, particularly in May, June and September when the riding conditions are at their best. Browse our available rooms or get in touch to plan your stay. We are happy to help with route suggestions, bike hire arrangements, and anything else you need to make the most of your time on two wheels.
