Itinéraire Cyclo de Salles-Courbatiès à Villefranche de Rouergue
Route details
Description
Bike tour exploring the Caussenard landscapes. A 21 km tour exploring local architectural heritage, two fortified towns, and a pre-Romanesque church, all on quiet country roads. Departure from Villefranche-de-Rouergue train station in the morning. Taking the first train is ideal for exploring the charming villages of Salles-Courbatiès and Villeneuve d'Aveyron. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to visit Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The trail is unmarked and fairly straightforward, with an average elevation gain of only 1% and a 5.7-meter ascent.
Your itinerary
Step 1: Departure from Villefranche de Rouergue SNCF station
During the week, 6 trains per day from Villefranche de Rouergue and 3 trains per day on weekends.
Bicycles are accepted free of charge and without reservation on board liO trains, within the limits of
places available (6 bikes max per train) and stored in spaces reserved for this purpose.
Step 2: Departing from Salles-Courbatiès station
Upon arrival at the station, exit onto the platform, go around the station, and take the road that descends on your right. At the intersection, turn left for a few meters, then immediately right toward the village center and the mill, a former fish farm. Turn right, going up the flower-filled street, then right again on the main road. Turn left to reach the largest pond in the village. On your right, a magnificent covered wooden hall built in 2021 using old craft techniques as part of the carpentry meetings.
Step 3: Direction Villeneuve d’Aveyron
Leave the village of Salles-Courbatiès by taking the D40, direction Villeneuve d'Aveyron.
Pass the place called “Montaris” and on the right before a bend there is the possibility of stopping to observe wildlife: an LPO observatory has been set up with benches and explanatory panels in an oak wood.
Step 4: Visit Villeneuve d'Aveyron and head towards the caselles
Upon arrival in the Bastide de Villeneuve, turn straight ahead under the medieval gate to reach Place des Conques, where you can take a break. The tourist office is on your right under the covered walkway. Several visits are possible before returning to Boulevard Cardalhac, then left to Rue des Condamines, then right to the Le Grès housing estate, department D922 on the left and right in front of the supermarket to leave Villeneuve d'Aveyron.
Step 5: Direction the pre-Romanesque church of Toulongergues
Pass through the place called "Marty". (If you are in a mountain bike, stop in this hamlet and turn right between 2 houses, going back and forth by the dirt road which will allow you to discover 3 very well restored huts as well as dry stone walls. You will have a beautiful view of the bastide of Villeneuve). Stay on this road until you arrive at an intersection with a departmental road, the D120, continue opposite towards the pre-Romanesque church of Toulongergues. A little further down on the right is a wash house and an old dovecote.
Step 6: Direction the village of Saint-Rémy
Turn around and immediately after the church, take a small grassy path lasting only a few meters.
Take the road again, the D120 on the right. The road goes down.
Arriving at an intersection where there is a statue of the Virgin, continue opposite on the same road which goes down.
The road forms a few bends and arrives opposite the Château de Saint-Rémy (private).
Visit the village and the Moulin des arts, contemporary art space (information on opening days and times from the tourist office).
Step 7: Return to Villefranche de Rouergue
Take the same road, the D120. At the first intersection, turn right towards the Bérals business park. This road will allow you to avoid the roundabout, the main road, and traffic. Go under the industrial zone, continue on the same road, go under a bridge, and you will arrive at a road, the D1. Watch for traffic. Turn right to the roundabout. Then turn left at the roundabout to leave this busy road and take the Route Basse de Farrou or the D1. This quiet road runs along the Alzou River to Villefranche de Rouergue.
To discover nearby
