Meeting with Fabrice Gouze

We spoke with Fabrice, head of the Cycling Mission for the Occitanie Region and organizer of cycling holidays.

Since January 2022, Fabrice has been leading the Cycling Mission for the Occitanie Region. This mission covers both mobility issues (financing of cycling infrastructure, secure bicycle parking, subsidies for bicycle purchases, etc.) and economic and tourism development issues.

A mission that clearly carries an ambition in favor of decarbonized mobility and the renewal of the French cycling industry.

Within an association framework, through a FFC CLUB member of the Occitanie Committee, TEAM CAMPILARO, he organizes in the Pyrenees one of the rare French cyclosportives and two cycling trips, one of which is in the magnificent Cévennes.

Our cycle loops

What do you find attractive about the South Cévennes for cycling?

While the Alps and Pyrenees enjoy great renown thanks to the Tour de France, the Cévennes also offer some fantastic sporting challenges. It's clearly a mountain range made for cycling! For me, it's a cycling destination that every serious cyclist should have on their list. I also encourage you to check out "The Rider," the book by Dutchman Tim Krabbe, which popularized the demanding nature of this sport through a fictional race in the Cévennes.

What are its advantages?

The Cévennes are an ideal playground. They abound with deserted roads linking wild mountain passes, narrow valleys, and majestic limestone plateaus. In fact, every ride is different; at every bend, a new landscape unfolds. There's never a hint of boredom, a feeling one sometimes gets in other places. Here, it's truly exceptional!

What are your favorite spots in the South Cévennes?

Absolutely, the Cirque de Navacelles. And that's true no matter which side you approach it from, the Causse du Larzac to the south or the Causse de Blandas to the north. And if you add to your outing the Vis gorges, perhaps by driving up from the village of Vissec to Blandas… then the day truly becomes magical. The road winds through these steep, arid, limestone gorges; you feel completely at one with nature. I've always thoroughly enjoyed driving on these roads.
And up there, the Blandas inn is a real gourmet refreshment stop!

A legendary mountain pass?

For me, there are two! First, Mont Aigoual, accessible from Valleraugue, with a final climb of 28 km and an average gradient of 5%. A superb ascent partly through the state forest of the same name, passing through L'Espérou and then La Serreyrède… Unmissable!

Next, for the more athletic riders, there's the Col de la Lusette. This is where you'll find the steepest climbs, with sections reaching 12% gradient in the final switchbacks before Cap de Coste. This climb was featured in the 2020 Tour de France.

What advice do you have for cyclists?

Respect the Cévennes in every sense of the word. Of course, we don't litter, we're mindful of the flora and fauna… But as I said before, the Cévennes are as beautiful as they are challenging to traverse. You're always in gear, there's never a flat section, and the road surface is sometimes rough… Discovering or crossing the Cévennes will therefore require you to come well-prepared to truly enjoy the ride!