French Holiday Ideas | The beauty of cycling holidays in France

Cycling and France go hand in hand, like seafood and Muscadet. From a historical perspective, the country’s very identity is imbued with images of people on bikes, from the hapless Jacques Tati cruising around the Loire countryside in his classic film Jour de Fête to the iconic picture of le peloton snaking through the paysage every July in the Tour de France.

But what if you are not a French postman or professional cyclist? Well, of course you can still enjoy France up close and personal from a bike. Indeed, for many visitors to l’Hexagone, touring around en vélo is the very best way of seeing France.

From the roadside you can get the full sensory experience – the smells and sounds of the beautiful countryside that harks back to a gentler era, not to mention the chance to stop off at the village of your choice to take a breather at a quiet café or have a chat with locals. If you want to learn exactly how satisfying a Tour of France by bike can be, as well as to learn about some of the traditions you can still discover off the beaten (cycling) track, get hold of a copy of Graham Robb’s fabulous book The Discovery of France.

One of the key assets France boasts when it comes to offering cycling holidays is the diversity of its landscapes, which means that you can select a trip depending on both your standard of fitness as well as the kind of thing you want to enjoy along the way.

Head to the Alps or the Pyrenees and you can expect some hefty climbs – with the payback coming in the form of stunning views and extraordinary flora and fauna. Alternatively, stick to flatter cycle routes in places such as the Loire or Burgundy (where specially marked trails often follow river or canals) and you can enjoy a more sedate pace, giving you time to admire chateaux and vineyards in a less strenuous fashion.

There are many companies out there that offer carefully conceived cycling holidays all over France, and this semi-guided form of touring is probably the best way to approach your two-wheeled break. Daily distances are often fairly unchallenging and accommodation and meals are well planned in advance, while the weekly routes are often circular for ease of transport access from the UK. You can browse our selection of great cycling holidays here.

Whatever kind of cycling holiday you choose, or whichever corner of France you explore, you can be guaranteed the very best experience in discovering France’s hidden treasures.

Bonne Route!

GPS guided tours in the beautiful Luberon Regional Park in Provence with Provence Cycling holidays

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Author: K.Barrau
Posted on: 12/12/2010