Where to stay in the Pyrenees: A cyclist’s guide to accommodation
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Finding a place to stay in the Pyrenees is usually at the top of the list of things to do when planning a cycling holiday. If you are at that stage of your holiday planning and looking to see where you can stay then read on. In this article, I list some great cycling hotels and lodges in the Pyrenees for your consideration and to give you a hand in working out what is available. I also provide some tips on how to find other types of accommodation in the Pyrenees for your holiday.
If you are wondering which town to stay in, I suggest you first read our article about the best base for a cycling holiday in the Pyrenees. It goes through the best way to choose a base for your holiday and suggests some of the towns based on my own experiences.
I first visited the Pyrenees in 2013 and now live in the Huates Pyrenees on a permanent basis. I have obviously learned a lot since my first visit and this article has been put togther based on my experiences of visiting this great cycling destination over many years. In 2021 I spent 6 months living in the Ariége region of the Pyrenees and got to know that area really well. I have been lucky to meet a number of the operators I list in this article and can guarantee they will make your cycling holiday one to remember.
The focus of this article will be properties that cater specifically for cycling holidays. But I will also go through our suggestions on how to find other styles of accommodation. The great thing about the Pyrenees is that you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a place to stay for your holiday. Whether you want a simple campsite or a luxury chateau you will find something to suit your taste and budget. You might like to read our article about the different types of accommodation in France if you are not familiar with the different types of holiday accommodation available.
Firstly, here is a tip from my own experiences. If you are planning to come to the Pyrenees in July or August I recommend booking as far in advance as possible, to ensure you have the greatest choice of properties available. When I planned our cycling holidays from Australia, I secured accommodation as early as October or November prior to my arrival to get the dates I wanted. Often the Tour de France will visit the area in July and lots of people will come to watch the race and stay either before or after. August is when French people take their annual holidays and when accommodation in the Pyrenees will be most heavily booked.
After living here I can also state that August is by far the busiest month in the Pyrenees. I would recommend not coming in August unless that is the only time you have time off work to come.
Cycling hotels and lodges in the Pyrenees
I highly recommend staying at one of the many dedicated cycling hotels and lodges if you are planning a cycling holiday in the Pyrenees. They are set up to accommodate cyclists and will have a range of facilities to cater to you and your bike. Best of all, they are run by keen cyclists, many of whom have moved to France because of their love of cycling. Staying in these sorts of places means you have the benefit of local knowledge to help you plan your daily routes.
I first used this style of accommodation in 2013 when we visited the Pyrenees and always seek them out when visiting new locations. One of the things I really love about staying in these sorts of places is meeting other keen cyclists from around the world. Sitting and discussing the day’s cycling over dinner has been a highlight for me and I am still in contact with many of the people I have met. The local knowledge offered by owners is also invaluable, especially when it comes to the weather. Different valleys can experience different conditions and knowing that one is more favourable than another makes the day’s riding more enjoyable.
I have personally stayed at the Au Primrose Hotel in Argeles Gazost and the Pyrenees Cycling Lodge in Saint-Savin. I highly recommend both places for your own holiday and you will be well looked after. Both properties book out quickly each season so my best advice is to get in nice and early to secure your room.
Seek Travel Ride’s guide
To showcase what is available in the Pyrenees I have put a brief guide together of the properties that are set up for cycling holidays. I have included some very basic information about each of them and encourage you to check out their websites and book directly with them. A couple of quick points. Firstly all the properties will be able to assist with bike hire, either directly themselves or through a local bike hire outlet. Secondly, the properties are not exclusively for cyclists, so don’t think only cyclists can stay in this style of property. You will see on their websites that they welcome everyone and that owners also love hiking, trail running, yoga, and photography.
I have grouped the properties in our guide by region from west to east to make it easier to plan your stay.
Pyrenees Atlantique
Green Bike Pyrenees is a family-run Bed and Breakfast located in the small village of Louvie-Juzon, located 25 km south of Pau. Facilities and services include secure bike storage, a bike workshop, laundry, cycling route information, emergency pickup, transfers to events, and airport transfers. Choose from Bed and Breakfast only or self-guided holiday packages.
Secret Pyrenees offers both Bed and Breakfast accommodation, or week-long cycling, hiking, and trail running experiences. They are located 19 km south of Pau just outside the village of Lasseube in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Facilities and services include bike storage, supported rides, laundry, yoga mats/foam rollers, and massage.
Hautes Pyrenees
Allez Pyrenees is located in the spa town of Bagnères de Bigorre and offers Bed and Breakfast style accommodation. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, bike hire, laundry, airport transfers, and a jacuzzi.
The Au Primerose Hotel has been welcoming cyclists for over 20 years offering hotel-style accommodation in Argeles Gazost. Facilities include bike storage, a workshop area, a bike wash area, and laundry facilities. Accommodation options include bed and breakfast, half board, and a cyclists package.
Escape to the Pyrenees is a guest house in the small village of Villelonge offering both guided and self-guided packages for cyclists. Facilities and services on offer include bike storage, a bike workshop, laundry, airport transfers, sports massage, and bike rental.
L’Argalyde consists of suites and apartments in the village of Ayzac-Ost offering a range of accommodation packages including full board, half board, or breakfast only. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, guides, airport transfers, a pool, a sauna, and sports massage services.
The Pyrenees Cycling Lodge is located in the village of Saint-Savin. The lodge offers packages for cycling that include dinner bed and breakfast. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, and laundry.
Pyrenees Secret consists of 2 self-contained holiday cottages in the village of Cheust in the Castelloubon Valley. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, guided rides, airport transfers, and catered stays.
Pyrenees Cycling Hotel is located in Arreau at the base of the famous Col d’Aspin and offers hotel-style accommodation. Their packages are offered on a half-board basis. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, an e-bike charging station, massage, a pool, and airport transfers.
Haute Garonne
Chateau Saint Martory is a luxury property in the village of Saint Martory in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. The chateau offers full board packages for cyclists. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, guides, a pool, and airport transfers.
The Free Range Chalet is located in the town of Bagneres de Luchon at the base of the Col du Peyresourde. They offer cyclists a choice of guided or self-guided packages depending on what you are looking for. Facilities and services include bike storage, guided rides, supported rides, and airport transfers.
Ariege
Bed Breakfast Bikes Pyrenees offers accommodation in the small village of Loubieres located 5km from Foix. Packages for cyclists include self-catered, bed and breakfast, or half board. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, a bike wash area, laundry, and airport transfers.
Cycle Pyrenees is located in Vernajoul on the outskirts of Foix. Choose from bed and breakfast or half-board options. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, and laundry.
Le Bezy Pyrenees is located in the beautiful rolling countryside a short distance from the village of Mazères. They offer 5 to 7 night cycling experiences on a half-board basis, or nightly bed and breakfast. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, ride drinks and snacks, guided rides, kit laundry, a pool, airport transfers, and yoga.
Les Deux Velos has been operating for over 20 years and is located in the Massat Valley between the villages of Massat and Biert. Accommodation is offered on a half-board basis. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, and spares.
Zero Neuf offers a range of accommodation options including self-catered, bed and breakfast, and half board. They are based in the foothills of the Pyrenees near the village of Gaudies. Facilities and services include bike storage, a bike workshop, a café, and guided rides.
Hotels, gites, and campgrounds in the Pyrenees
If cycling hotels or lodges don’t suit what you are looking for, don’t worry there are plenty of hotels, campgrounds, and self-contained apartments and houses to choose from when you visit the Pyrenees. While other accommodation providers might not be dedicated cycling hotels or lodges, they may still have facilities such as bike storage to offer. The Pyrenees is a very popular cycling destination so most places host guests with bikes regularly.
How to search for accommodation on Google Maps
When I plan our holidays and trips in France, the first place I head to find accommodation is Google Maps. While you might think this is a strange place to look for accommodation, I find it gives you the best overview of everything that is available in a particular area. In my experience, not all hotels in the Pyrenees are listed on larger sites like Booking.com or Expedia.com and Google Maps can provide a better overview of what is available.
So here’s how I search and find accommodation on Google Maps, it’s easy to do. The first step is to navigate to the general area I want to stay in. For example, I might choose a particular town, region, or part of a city. I zoom in or out based on how big an area we want to search in. Next, I simply enter the style of accommodation I am looking for in the search bar and hit enter. For example, hotels, camping, etc. You will then see all the properties in the area you have selected and can look at individual properties.
Using Trip Advisor to assist
If Google Maps doesn’t suit you, I also suggest using Trip Advisor and I would tend to use both in conjunction with each other. While properties may not be listed on large booking sites, it is unusual that they are not listed on Trip Advisor. I tested this theory with a number of properties that I know of. I could not find them on Booking.com or Expedia.com but they were all listed on Trip Advisor.
Conclusion
As you can see you will have no problems finding a great place to stay for your cycling holiday in the Pyrenees. I hope you found this guide useful but if you have any questions please contact me by email and I can answer some of your questions. Seek Travel ride offers a paid travel planning service if you would like us to tailor a trip for you.
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