"Best Cycling in the French Pyrenees"

Unique & Custom Pyrenees Bicycle Tours!

West Coast to Paris: Most flights leave the West Coast in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next day in the morning, usually between 7:30 and 11:30 AM. The timing of flights from the East Coast is more flexible.

Travel in France: Most people use the TGV (bullet train) as it is fast and easy. If you're transporting your bike, it is often cheaper, too, as domestic airlines may charge you more for the extra luggage. You can leave from Paris or even directly from Charles –de Gaulle International Airport (CDG).

Paris Transfers (Airport to Train Stations/Hotels): If you bring your own bicycle, the best way to transfer from CDG to the Montparnasse train station, the starting location for TGVs to the southwest of France, is via the express shuttle bus. If you’ve left your bike at home, you can also just take a mini-van. Taxis are not recommended as prices can be high and fluctuate wildly. More information...

St-Jean-Pied-de-Port

By Air:

Biarritz: Air France has daily flights to Biarritz, located 50 km (31 mi) from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

By Rail:

Trains to Biarritz: The best way to get from Paris to Biarritz is the train to Hendaye: they leave daily beginning at 7:25 AM and take about five hours. Allow two to three hours to get your luggage, clear customs and get ready to board the train. You can see the complete TGV schedule here and buy your tickets online at SNCF or Rail Europe.

The best way to become a fit cyclist is to ride properly, ride frequently and put on a lot of miles. Because each individual’s ability is unique, it is impossible to say what the minimum recommended base mileage is for one route or another. In general, I recommend that you have ridden at least 1,500 base miles before you challenge the mountains of the Pyrénées.

Connections to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port:

Located 50 km (31 mi) from Biarritz, you can reach St-Jean-Pied-de-Port by bus or taxi. Get connection information at the airport or tourist office in Biarritz.

Arette, Argelès-Gazost, Saint-Lary and Bagnères-de-Luchon

By Air:

Pau: Air France and Ryanair have regular flights to Pau, 56 km (35 mi) from Argelès-Gazost. You can then go by taxi to Lourdes or Argelès-Gazost.

Taxi Service: Tel: 05 59 02 22 22

Tarbes: Air France has daily flights to the Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes Airport, located only 27 km (17 mi) from Argelès-Gazost.

By Rail:

Trains to Pau, Lourdes and Tarbes: You can easily take the TGV directly from Charles de Gaulle International Airport or from metropolitan Paris: the bullet train takes you from Paris to Bordeaux in less than four hours. The trip from Bordeaux to Pau, Lourdes and Tarbes is slower but most trains are quite comfortable. Train tickets can be purchased directly online from SNCF or Rail Europe.

Connections to Arette:

From the train station in Pau, you’ll travel by bus 32 km (20 mi) to Oloron-Ste-Marie. You can take a taxi or a bus from Oloron to the village of Arette, about 18 km (11 miles) further—check for more information at the Oloron tourist office. Or just stay there and ride your bike directly from Oloron.

Connections to Argelès-Gazost:

Pau or Tarbes Airports: The village of Argelès-Gazost can be accessed from Pau (56 km/35 mi) or from Tarbes (27 km/17 mi), where buses or taxis can take you on to Lourdes or Argelès-Gazost. Check the information at the airport for buses. Alternative taxi companies from those found at the airports:

Pau Taxi Service: Tel: 05 59 02 22 22

Tarbes Taxi Services Tel: 06 08 25 18 19 or 05 62 34 32 36

Lourdes Train Station: Only 12 km (7.5 mi) from Argelès-Gazost, Lourdes is a world famous pilgrimage destination so, despite the city’s smallness, its train station is a convenient travel hub. From there, you can easily get a bus or taxi to Argelès-Gazost.

Lourdes Taxi Services Tel: 06 81 86 79 01

Connections to Saint-Lary-Soulan:

From Tarbes: The village of Saint-Lary can be accessed by bus from Tarbes (68 km/42 mi) or by taking the train to Lamnezan (44 km/27 mi from St-Lary), and then going on by bus from there. Ask at train stations or tourist offices for bus schedules or take a taxi.

Tarbes Taxi Services Tel: 06 08 25 18 19 or 05 62 34 32 36. 

Connections to Bagnères-de-Luchon:

From Tarbes: The easiest way to get to Bagnères-de-Luchon is by taking the train to St-Gaudens. From there, there are direct bus connections or taxis to take you to Luchon (48 km/30 mi). You can also get to Luchon from Lamnezan, a train station between Tarbes and St-Gaudens, but the taxi fees are higher due to the increased distance and the buses aren't as frequent.