Vegan Spa Retreats
19th September 2019Lockdown Triathlon Challenge 1
30th April 2020
Guest Reviews
Proud to be Allons-y-Pyrenees
Just arrived home from a fantastic stay here with wonderful hosts Rachel and Chris... the food was amazing and they made me feel so at home and catered so well for me as a vegan. Chris was so helpful with my cycling and we had lovely company too. The pool was so welcome after a long day cycling and always a wag from the gorgeous Orlagh. I so hope to come back and stay and eventually do the bigger cols. Happy to have done the Hourquette d'Anzian; my first time up a col... I want to do more... such beautiful countryside. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a trip here and to sample the wonderful hospitality. Thank you Chris and Rachel.
Kate Grundy
Just returned from a fantastic week-long cycling holiday with friends in the Pyrenees. We stayed at Allons - y - Pyrenees, in Thuy. Had a fantastic time cycling the local Cols and visiting some of the bars, patisseries and restaurants across the region. Chris and Rachel who own Allons - y - Pyrenees have a beautiful rustic French property that can accommodate large groups of friends or families. In addition to accommodation, they offer a variety of service packages ranging from self catering to half board. We chose the half board package (breakfast and evening meals). All meals were freshly made on site through use of local produce. Make your own ‘home made pizza’ in the outdoor pizza oven is a must 😁. Accommodation meets all yours needs with en-suite rooms available. Fancy a week cycling or relaxing on the edge of the Pyrenees, then I strongly recommend you take a visit to Allons - y - Pyrenees. 😉
Pete Ellis
Back from a week staying here in this rustic delight in Thuy in the Pyrenees, run by husband and wife Chris and Rachel as a cycling hub for the Pyrenees. The whole place can cater for 20 plus but it's equally perfect for couples and singles alike. They are a delightful couple and made us feel so welcome. They collected us and our bike boxes from Toulouse and then helped us settle in with a planned cycling itinerary for the week. This was my first ever cycling holiday but my partner had a great deal of experience with this kind of holiday and said it was one of the best. I found the place delightful with rustic charm and lots of cycling related souvenirs around the place; it felt like home from home. I am vegan and the catering for me was simply outstanding. Chris is the cycling guide and an amazing cyclist, so very fit but he also doubles as the main chef. Rachel runs the houses, the admin, the website and blog and cooks too... her fresh starters from the garden ad home-made desserts are just fantastic! They are both lovely people.
The site has a beautiful pool which is such a welcome chill after a day in the saddle. I hired a great bike from them and Chris helped me with my technique along with my fellow cyclists. It was a fabulous holiday and I even managed to complete a TDF col and surprised myself. I couldn't recommend this more highly. Relaxed and organized, you can do your own thing if you want to and even self-cater. I'm already planning my next col and wouldn't hesitate to go back. Thank you to them both for making it an extra special holiday.
KY
Love this place so much we have been back three years in a row. We have been here on a cycling club holiday each time and couldn't recommend it too highly. Chris and Rachel are fantastic hosts. Nothing is too much trouble and they make you feel thoroughly welcome. The food is excellent every day, always fresh, always home-made and with plenty to go round. Pizza night is entertaining as you get the opportunity to make your own pizza, in the outdoor pizza oven, some with more success than others. It is also a great way to break the ice with other guests if you haven't taken over the whole place with your group.
The accommodation too is perfect, with a range of sizes of rooms and plenty of bathrooms to go round. The communal areas work well inside, and are a perfect place to watch the tour highlights if you are not lucky enough to see it live (this is another package that Rachel and Chris offer). The outside pool is huge and a lovely area to relax and cool off after a hard days cycling and the outside communal seating area has plenty of space to enjoy the evening meal.
The location is ideal, with easy access to the big mountains, but also if you want a slightly easier day, the flatter roads close by are great for a rest day and lunch ride.
Helen Roby
What an absolutely amazing 10 days here! I cannot recommend AYP enough. Firstly, the location is just perfect. Close to the Pyrenees for those wanting to climb. But head in the other direction and you have the most wonderful rolling countryside for those wanting to explore some beautiful vineyards! The accommodation is 10/10 too. Beautiful gites, spacious rooms and a fantastic swimming pool.
But the highlight for me were the hosts, Chris and Rachel. They made us feel at home from day one. Their knowledge of the local area, their helpfulness and best of all their food was second to non. Their food was the best I have honestly tasted in a long time. All fresh, local, home made food. Also I am a vegetarian and they cooked both a veggie version alongside a meat/fish dish.
Can't speak highly enough of AYP and we'll definitely be back.
Mark Lane
My husband and I came here to enjoy spectating at what is the most famous professional cycle race in the world and to ride our bikes. He is an experienced cyclist and I am a relative novice. We hoped to enjoy the drama of the race at close quarters, and also to experience the majesty of cycling in this beautiful part of France. We were not disappointed. Rachel and Chris made our stay very special, nothing was too much trouble. They were very flexible, investing time and effort to make sure we had the holiday of a lifetime.
This was a holiday full of joy, accomplishment and very wonderful memories, made special by the dedication, warmth and generosity of Chris and Rachel. This couple work extremely hard to make sure everyone who visits Allons Y Pyrenees enjoys the time they spend there and has a very special experience.
Nikki Pearson
I have stayed at Allons-y-Pyrenees twice with some cycling friends and we are planning a return trip in June. Chris and Rachel McCombie are truly amazing hosts. Nothing is too much trouble for them and we are made extremely welcome. Chris is quite happy to accompany us on our days out, whether it is cycling from their house or putting the bikes on the roof of the van and heading to somewhere like Lourdes. I would thoroughly recommend Allons-y-Pyrenees to fellow cyclists, walkers or to anyone who wants a holiday in a very tranquil part of France.
Margaret Williamson
An amazing holiday. Well looked after by Chris and Rachel - food was exceptional and filled a nightly mountain sized hole. Chris was great, every night he listened to our cycling needs and was happy to create a route that met the requirements of the group.
100% bespoke holiday. Accommodation was lovely. The Pyrenees fantastic, such an experience to climb the same routes as the pros in the tour.
We will be back.
Neil Pollington
Had a great weekend with Chris and Rachel, we had an awesome time and plenty of sun! (end of September).
The climbing was hard but absolutely beautiful, can't recommend the rides enough if you want a challenge but also to come back to amazing food and hospitality. Great value and Chris was super helpful guiding us and Rachel dropping/picking us up.
Well done guys!
Robin Yeoman
We have now gone to Allons y Pyrenees several times at different times of the year and love it. Rachel and Chris are wonderful hosts and make you feel at home, or better make you feel on holiday and are quite frankly the perfect hosts.
The location is perfect for exploring the region, with some excellent local rides and of course all of those famous Cols to attempt… And with the guy doing drop offs and pick ups, depending on your legs you can always jump in the van to work off a few kms if need be.
The accommodation is fantastic and if the cycling gets too much you can always chill in the sun by the pool, or even crank the endless pool for some “laps” before enjoying some sports drink with the other guests…. otherwise known as Rose wine.
The setting is nice and rural and has a great relaxing feel, and I can tell you from experience there is a trout stream near by with some wiley old fish in it. When that doesn’t pan out, Chris is always ready to fire up the pizza oven for some home made pizzas…..What a way to finish a big day out.
Cannot say enough great things about this place. Just go.
Paul Blue
Just spent a week with 10 of my mates staying with Chris and Rach - they are great hosts and nothing is too much trouble. They looked after us so well and the food, accommodation and guided riding is nothing short of excellent. The area is perfect from flat recovery rides to rolling hills and then onto the "beasts" when the time comes.
well done guys and hope that the 360 beer bottles we emptied weren't too much of a problem at the bottle bank 😂😂🍻🍻👍👍
Martin Williams
Been 6 times great food (vegan too), great base. Peaceful settings and always well looked after. Great place to stay. Can do some easy flat rides, foothills and of course the big mountains. Been 6 times and will still go again.
Stan Boyd
Thank you Chris & Rachel for giving us a fantastic memorable week. Food, wine, accommodation and your company exceeding our expectations. It was a pleasure to spend a week with you both, great fun, great laughs and an unforgettable experience watching the tour. Till next time, 'au revoir' guys.
Steve T
My thanks to Rachel and Chris not forgetting Orlagh of course for the tremendous hospitality. A rest day at Allons - y - Pyrenees was definitely one of the best decisions of my trip. Look forward to seeing you all sometime in the not too distant future!
John Taylor
Chris and Rachel provide a top class service. The accommodation is tranquil and comfortable, the food as delicious and wholesome as any top class restaurant. Chris and Rachel go to great lengths to ensure that everyone has a wonderful time. The cycling is amazing, whether you go out from base or are taken to a start point in the van. The scenery is breathtaking and with lots of routes to choose from you will be delighted whether you want to climb mountains or ride less challenging roads.
We were there to witness the Tour de France and we taken out by vehicle or on bike to some perfect places to really enjoy the whole experience of the race. We saw starts, finishes and some amazing climbing, getting up close to the competitors both on and off their bikes.
I cannot recommend this holiday enough. Rachel and Chris work extremely hard to give everyone some lasting memories to treasure. They deserve 5 stars. Nikki Pearson
NP
I’ve stayed with Chris and Rachel twice and had a great time on both occasions. The accommodation and food are excellent and the pool is a lovely bonus, especially after a hard days cycling. Chris and Rachel couldn’t be more accommodating.
I hired bikes from Chris both times and had no problems whatsoever. Chris knows some great routes and does guided rides up the major routes. Both Chris and Rachel are helpful with transport if you want to do your own thing which means you get the best of all scenarios.
Andy Wilkinson
Chris and Rachel carefully programmed 4 days of ‘tour watching’, giving us an opportunity to experience all aspects of the great race. We had an excellent spot on the barriers to experience the thrill of a finish, enjoyed the theatre of all the elements of a stage start and went into the mountains to see two of the climbing stages. For those able to ride their bikes up mountains, there was an opportunity to see riders crest a mountain peak (while those with less climbing power could get excellent viewing on a hairpin further down the mountain). Finally there was a 50-mile ride out to the lower slopes of the Tourmalet, to catch the peloton (Rachel and I caught the race on a cote in a nearby village), before joining locals in a bar to enjoy the final kms of the stage on TV. Four days packed with atmosphere and close-up action, you really felt you were part of the race.
Ian Pearson
Just back from a week with Chris &Rach. Yet again they looked after us and made us feel very welcome. It’s like a home away from home. Great food and riding. Amazing!
Chris Parks
Over a week of cycling here, loads of varied routes, hardly any cars and even a few trout....apparently. Highly recommend it here as the place is awesome and Chris and Rachel are excellent hosts. Great food and very lovely setting....not to mention a pizza oven.....and a pub just down the road.
MB
Amazing hosts with a warm welcome!
Which made for a brilliant week of cycling.
Already planning my next trip. Coast to Coast across the Pyrenees.
Craig Ashton
Fantastic place to stay. Chris and Rach do everything to make your stay a great experience. Should be on every cyclists bucket list when in the Pyrenees.
Spirit CC
What a totally and utterly fantastic holiday! Rachel and Chris are the perfect hosts. The place is so beautiful and the food.....well......it's so good that I have no words!!!
The location is perfect for all levels of cycling from pleasant (flat) social rides to the awe inspiring cols and climbs of the Pyrenees (of which I conquered quite a few!!!).
We will definitely be back and would 100% recommend this to anybody!! Thanks again for such an amazing time 😊😊
Laura Williams
Fabulous find. Chris and Rach are amazing hosts, nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation and food both perfect and so many challenging climbs within reach as well as beautiful flatter rides on the doorstep.
Loved every minute of our stay.
Cathy Jenkins
Mega holiday, great for cyclists and plenty to do on 'non-cycling' days... however, you might not want to stop cycling once you become entertained by riding up the beautiful, iconic Pyrenees mountains with breathtaking views! Chris and Rach looked after us - great hosts! Their food was amazing and my weird fussy food habits were catered for (eternally grateful for that!). May I recommend the homemade coffee ice-cream and delicious bread! Thanks for an amazing holiday.
Gemma Webster
Fabulous cycling with access to some spectacular climbs. Wonderful hosts providing a superb relaxed ‘home from home’ experience. Delicious food, freshly prepared each day; and to cap it all off, some gorgeous scenery in which to experience It all.
Thank you Rachel and Chris x
Clare Gibbs
