Published by Lyn on 16 August 2014
I had an email via the Facebook page from a lady in Australia who is organising a French cycling holiday for five families from Australia. She was keen to find out more about accommodation options for them all. Here's our email exchange.
Ths historic village of La Roque Gageac in the Dordogne. Photo: Stephane Mignon
Hi Lyn,
We are five families from Sydney, Australia starting to plan a family cycling holiday to coincide with a 50th birthday in June/July 2016. Kids will be 11 and older. Mums are cruisers, while dads all cycle about 200km a week and are fanatics. Where to base ourselves that is tasteful, beautiful, preferably self-catering? Perhaps a village that we can take three or four houses?
Firstly we have no idea at all about region – I know that my husband really loves hills so that could be something he does either before or after our family time together; no on else likes hills –just crazy Lycra guys. I love the idea of a village that you can walk into have a coffee and breakfast and then wander back to a house or villa or apartment (maybe with a pool for the kids?) Need good bike hire – it's too expensive bring them from Australia.
Can't wait to hear more – all information is very much appreciated. Thanks.
I wrote back:
Hi,
How exciting! Super adventure for everyone.
I’ve narrowed down some options based on:
* Proximity to other services (towns/attractions etc).
* Ability to cater for you all. You don’t say how many but I’m assuming the five families have at least 2 kids each, so around 20 people.
* Proximity to easier family routes plus more challenging rides for the dads.
* Proximity to bike hire that can cater for you all (road bikes + leisure bikes).
* Self-catering to keep costs down (I haven’t included B&Bs or hotels).
* I’ve generally steered clear of the French Alps and the Pyrenees to give the kids and day riders more options even though these areas would be better for the dads. If you *are* interested in the Alps or the Pyrenees, come back to me as I have lots of options that could accommodate you in the key areas.
* All these places speak English.
* They all list on my site so say I sent you and they’ll look after you; all welcome cyclists.
* Areas are relatively easy to get to via airports and with a large group etc.
Cycling accommodation in Provence
Provence is beautiful and is great for cycling. It also would give the dads the chance to conquer Ventoux and sneak in one of the classic Tour de France cols. There are lots of family ride options in Provence (think lavender fields and vineyards) plus longer, harder stretches for the dads.
Audrey and Peter (a bicycle mechanic!) own Apple Orchard and Willow Tree (above) Audrey. I’m not sure how many of you there are on total, but Audrey may be able to squueze you all in or advise a property nearby for the balance of you. Email Audrey at audreyjakobsen@sfr.fr.
Cycling accommodation in Langeudoc and Provence
See above for Provence region link. Languedoc is also a great cycling region and puts you near the Canal du Midi as well as some great vineyard routes.
Alissa Knight runs South France Villas, a network of self-catering villas and chateaux of varying sizes across the south of France (posh example above). If you email her at info@southfrancevillas.com she will be able to provide you a list of properties that suit – either one villa that can cater for you all, or a few in nearby villages. Tell her I sent you. These will be perfect for Provence or Languedoc, which offer varied cycling and lots of bike hire options. (See bike hire Languedoc and bike hire Provence).
Cycling accommodation in the Dordogne
Dordogne (or here for the north of the region) is perfect for all of you – lots of tourist things to see and do, beautiful villages and both river/flat rides and hillier routes for dads. Lots of bike hire options locally.
I have a few suggestions here as the area caters very well for families and groups and is very cycle-friendly.
Brantome Holiday Rentals (above) is a lovely gite complex with seven villas of varying sizes. Short ride from villages, pool, self-catering option plus onsite restaurant. Helen (email is info@luxuryholidaydordogne.co.uk) knows the local area really well.
Le Manoir des Granges (above) is 6-bed house plus 4 self-catering cottages that can be hired in any combination. Right in the middle of the Dordogne's Vezere Valley with its ancient caves and villages. Restaurants and bars nearby. It’s run by Paul and Philippa at lemanoirdesgranges@hotmail.com
Dordogne Gites 4 All (above) has 2 gites sleeping 18 and there are neighbouring properties also offering self-catering that could pick up any balance. Rural setting. Pool. Enquire about local amenities (I’m not sure re restaurants, etc). Faye and Martin know the area well - email dordognegites4all@outlook.com.
La Blanquette (above) is a great property. A mix of gites, B&B and glamping (very posh self-catering tents). Run by cyclists with bike hire arranged onsite. They do have a children over 12 policy but I’ve checked with them and as you guys would take up most – if not all – the property, it wouldn’t matter if the kids were a bit younger. The contacts there are Nik, nik@la-blanquette.com and Jason, jas@la-blanquette.com
Cycling accommodation in Normandy
Normandy is a beautiful area of France and offering the chance to visit the D-Day beaches. Lovely rural rides plus some more challenging coastal rides (though not as hilly as some other areas).
Domaine de la Hamberie (above) has 5 bike-friendly gites. Run by Robin in France and Mark in the UK so they are used to dealing with international guests. They have a dedicated cycling page here. Email them at hamberie@gmail.com
Cycling accommodation in the Loire
The Loire Valley has few hills for the dads but some lovely longer rides through chateau country. Perfect for families with lots of vineyard and river routes.
Chateau de la Vigne (above) has a stunning main house and a mix of apartments and outbuildings that could cater for you all. Leisure bike hire is easy to find in this area but road bike hire is sparser and would need a bit more research and booking ahead. The contact is May at chateaudlv@simpkin.com.
Tell all of these contacts that I sent you and they will look after you.
I'd love to hear how you get on and where you all end up.
Bonne route, Lyn.
PS You might find these useful:
Organising a family cycling holiday in France
More advice for finding cycling accommodation in France
Bike hire in France
Bike delivery services
Travel insurance for French cycling holidays
Car hire in France
