“We run our holidays from our base – a beautifully renovated barn with ensuite bedrooms and swimming pool. Our guests can explore the best of the region on different routes each day but without having to move their belongings from place to place. We look after the pick-ups and drop offs each day, breakfast and dinner. It’s still a cycle touring holiday, but all within one region, from one base so guests can feel at home during their stay. We use local fresh produce for our cooking and the wine from the vineyards on our doorstep and a key aspect of our business is enabling others to explore and enjoy our beautiful region.”
They also rent out their self-catering barn and woodland cabin with wood-fired hot-tub
Living the dream
The support from the town hall and their neighbours in Espinas has been overwhelming say the couples. They’ve been made to feel welcome and part of the community and really feel as though they belong. “We’ve definitely adapted” Charlotte says, especially since baby Amadie arrived in January 2017. “Some things take a bit of getting used to like the fact that everything stays closed for lunch and how much form filling there can be! And we miss friends, family, even the rain some days - but those things are outweighed by all of the other special things that living in France offers. We particularly love the French approach to hospitality, there is something very civilised about the time and care taken to prepare and eat a meal – eating in France is an occasion not just a necessity!”
For these young entrepreneurs the move to France has been everything they dreamed of and more.
Tours du Tarn run cycling holidays throughout the year, details on their website: www.tarncyclingholidays.com