Sigean to Banyuls-sur-Mer

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with a 103.2 km day, as the 598 m of climbing is modest and concentrated at the start and near the finish.

A 103.2 km point-to-point ride from Sigean down the Languedoc and Roussillon coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer, with 598 m of climbing.

The route leaves Sigean past Le Viala and Les Grazelles and climbs almost straight away: a 2 km rise from km 1.4 gaining 81 m at 4.1%, with a maximum of 9.5%, topping out at 111 m at km 3.4 — the high point of the whole day. From there the road drops to the coastal plain through La Palme at km 9 and Leucate at km 18, where the village has the densest cluster of cafés and restaurants on the route. The middle section is flat and close to the sea, running through Leucate-Plage, Port Leucate, Port Barcarès and Le Barcarès, and touching the lowest point of the ride at 1 m near km 41.4. Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, Canet-en-Roussillon at km 47.1, Saint-Cyprien Plage and Argelès-Plage follow in order, with only a third of the total ascent banked by halfway. The terrain changes after Collioure at km 74.6 and Port-Vendres at km 76.7, where the second climb starts at km 77.3: 1.8 km and 68 m at 3.7% average but pitching to 16.2%, topping at 75 m. Cosprons, La Guinelle and Mas Reig lead into Banyuls-sur-Mer at km 94.1.

Highlights

• Opening climb to the day's 111 m high point at km 3.4
• Leucate at km 18, with cafés and restaurants
• Flat coastal run through Port Barcarès and Canet-en-Roussillon
• Collioure and Port-Vendres before the final climb

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Point to point

Riding time

6–8½ hours riding

Know before you go

• No water or cafés listed after km 29.2, leaving a long dry stretch
• Short ramp of up to 16.2% on the climb after Port-Vendres
• 28°C recorded in September on an exposed coastal route

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.