A scent of freedom, a touch of vintage, authentic encounters and generous nature: welcome to this gentle and offbeat adventure, riding a moped, between Larroque, Puycelsi and the Grésigne forest.
Around every bend, a landscape, a skill, a new sensation. An ideal getaway to experience with friends, colleagues, or as a couple, to discover this little corner of the Tarn with its wild charm in a different way.
Departure from Larroque: mopeds, a village, an atmosphere
The journey begins in the village of Larroque, nestled against a red sandstone cliff, in a green setting where the Vère River flows. The contrast is striking: the mineral red of the cliffs, the deep green of the valley, and the luminous white of the old houses with their medieval appearance. This is where our team meets for an old-fashioned team building activity!
We meet in front of Vincent's workshop Vintage Moped, a large garage door slides open… and reveals a host of vintage mopeds, each more colorful than the last.
A little initiation is required for beginners: get on your bike, learn to pedal, and press the button when the little “backfire” of the engine starts, feel the vibration of the handlebars in your hands and turn them in the right direction to accelerate… We choose our helmet, our gloves, then our moped according to our size, and we exchange a few amused smiles. In single file, we leave Larroque, the wind in my hair, heading for the road to Puycelsi which winds gently along the valley.
Honey & soaps: sensory stopovers and local encounters
The road becomes narrower, more rural. We advance quietly through the fields, lulled by the purr of the engines. Two stops are available to us: Oppidum Soap Factory and Puycelsi Honey HouseWe split into two small groups.
À Oppidum, the setting is bucolic and charming: an old building, a majestic tree in the center of the courtyard, and a scent of rose, almond and lavender floating in the air. Christophe and Jean-Christophe, passionate and discreet, welcome us into their workshop-boutique. The place, which was intended in its former life for breeding snails, has been transformed into an artisanal cocoon where cold-process soap is made from vegetable oils from around the world. For about 45 minutes, they tell us about their work and their know-how.
At the Puycelsi Honey House, we enter a typical farm. Sheds, tractors, a glass door, and Isabelle, the beekeeper, beaming as she welcomes us. In the small shop decorated with honeycomb patterns, we discover a whole world: pots of golden honey, wax candles, soft gingerbread, and bottles of mead. Isabelle speaks to us passionately about her bees, pollination, and the floral richness of the surrounding area. And of course, we indulge in a few sweet treats before leaving.
Track and forest: the buried secrets of Grésigne
Back on our mopeds! This time, we're heading for the Grésigne Forest, one of the most beautiful forests in Occitanie, and the largest oak grove in Europe. We quickly leave the road and head down a wide, bumpy forest track. At each natural speed bump, we lift our buttocks and laugh to avoid hurting ourselves... and mostly for fun! We feel a bit like retro motocross riders.
In the heart of the forest, we stop near the Forest House, the ONF headquarters. Then, guided by Vincent, we leave the beaten paths to enter an undergrowth carpeted with moss and ferns. Leaves crunch under our feet, branches brush against our arms, and the silence is broken only by the song of birds. Vincent leads us to two old glass furnaces, buried in the earth and covered in moss. You have to know them to see them. There you will discover blue glass slag, vestiges of an intense artisanal past, when glassmakers used the wood of the forest to produce a typical glass with marine reflections. A true hidden treasure.
Freedom, complicity, and a picnic on the banks of the Vère
After this historical interlude, it's time to hit the road again. It's uphill! To get the mopeds going again, we cheat a little: a downhill start, then a U-turn to tackle the climb. A few amusing breakdowns give rise to impromptu breaks, while the broom wagon keeps a close eye on things.
We reach the hamlet of Les Abriols, the highest point of the walk, then descend along a small, winding, wooded road. The air is mild, the light filters through the foliage, and laughter erupts as we turn the corners.
Back to Larroque, where Vincent is parking his cars. It's time to share a rustic picnic on the banks of the Vère, feet in the water if the sun is out. We unpack the house specialties, we clink glasses, we replay the morning's events... And one thing is certain: we leave with a smile, smells filling our noses, and a lovely taste of authenticity.
How to do the same walk?
Contact Vintage Moped, and set off for a 2 to 30 hour walk to meet local actors and producers.
How much does this activity cost?
The “I’ll take my time” option costs €40 per person.
Can I have a tailor-made tour?
Vintage Moped offers tailor-made tours for family, friends, or business events. Don't hesitate to contact them.
Is it accessible all year round?
Moped tours are open between March 1st and December 31st.
The best times are probably spring and fall.
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