VÉLOCCITANIE, FROM MAZAMET TO BÉZIERS

1

From Mazamet, nestled on the edge of the Montagne Noire, you're now on the PassaPaïs, the green way of the Haut-Languedoc. Before you set off, don't miss a detour via the footbridge overlooking the Arnette valley and the medieval village of Hautpoul. This cycling getaway takes place in the heart of a valley marked by the Thoré river. The green route takes you through rolling pastures, charming villages and towering mountains. The tunnel under the Col de la Fenille takes you from the "oceanic" Tarn countryside to the Mediterranean basin of the Hérault. At the end of the stage, to appreciate the geological richness of the area, a visit to the grotte de la fileuse de verre (glass spinner's cave) is a good way to stop off before arriving in Saint-Pons-de-Thomières.

2

A section of La Véloccitanie that still follows the PassaPaïs, this stage unfolds with the Jaur and Orb rivers as its common thread. The Somail mountains and the Caroux massif dominate the route as we cross. After a remarkable passage through Olargues, nestled on its rocky knoll and listed as one of France's "most beautiful villages", the Eiffel bridge will take you over the valley to appreciate its wilderness, heather moors and varied rock formations. For the more determined, a detour to the Gorges d'Héric and its village perched in the heights will enchant you with natural pools and splendid panoramas. After winding through numerous bridges and tunnels, the stage ends with an arrival in Bédarieux along the banks of the Orb.

3

Bédarieux marks the end of the PassaPaïs. The mountainous landscapes have given way to the gentler landscapes of the Avant-Monts, where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see; the sea is a distant promise for the cyclist. You're entering a region rich in terroir and know-how handed down from generation to generation, with today's vineyards boasting renowned appellations. Enchanting landscapes bear witness to the work of men and their ingenuity, notably in the construction of dry-stone walls and capitelles. Even more ancient traces await you a little further on. The Oppidum d'Ensérune, an ancient Elisian and later Gallic village, and the Etang de Montady, a starlit dry pond. As for the genius of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Malpas Tunnel, dug under a hill to make way for the Canal du Midi, or the nine monumental locks at Fonseranes in Béziers, bear witness to this. A final stop in Béziers to discover the splendid bourgeois buildings that bear witness to a flourishing industry, the Saint-Nazaire cathedral and the famous Béziers camel.

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