Where to stay: Auvergne

Aurillac - Grand Hotel de Bordeaux

Beautifully restored hotel that's used to welcoming cyclists

Elegant and welcoming hotel in the centre of Aurillac, close to the city's pedestrian zone. Management tells me they regularly welcome cyclists and can find a safe and seure room in the hotel to lock your bike. The buildingn itself dates back to 1850 and it has been lovingly restored and tastefully decorated throughout to preseve its original features. Also meets French eco-friendly standards. Full buffet breakfast. Onsite bar. Singles, doubles, triples and family rooms. Free wifi. French, Spanish and English spoken.

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Auvergne - Combrailleurs self-catered house (Massif Central)

Cycling base with the volcanoes of the Massif Central yours to explore

Four-bedroomed house with self-catering accommodation for 10 people in one of France's under-explored cycling havens. Espinasse is 70km nort-west of Clermont-Ferrand. The Massif Central is regular fixture on the Tour de France route, offering stunning volcano routes and quiet scenic roads, tracks and MTB opportunities for cyclists. Route maps, bike storage and a workshop area. Rooms are tastefully decorated in a recently converted barn. A flexible and comfortable base for groups of all sizes. Families are welcome and extra cots can be provided. English and French spoken.

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Bertignat - Pradis self-catering gite

Amazing views from the terrace of this two-bedroom house

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Clermont Ferrand - Adagio Access Clermont Ferrand Jaude

Affordable studio apartments close to the city centre

Apartment hotel in the centre of Clermont-Ferrand, near Place de Jaude, and a two-minute walk from the historic centre of the city. It has 122 self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes. The studio apartments can sleep up to 3 people. Free wifi access. Management advises that bikes can be stored in apartments.  

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Clermont Ferrand - hotelF1 Clermont Ferrand Est

Super budget hotel near Auvergne airport 5km from the city centre

Bargain basement budget chain hotel on the north-eastern fringes of the city, near the airport. Air-conditioned low-cost hotel with free WIFI and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Rooms are basic and sleep two or three people. Shared bathrooms; rooms have sinks, mirrors and TVs. Management advises that bikes can be stored in the bedrooms overnight. The hotel's parent website has a best-price guarantee so it's always worth comparing prices. 

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Drome Provencale - Le Rêve Provençal (Mirabel-aux-Baronnies for Ventoux )

Ride Ventoux from a self-catered gite with pool (think vineyards and olive groves)

Margriet and Erwin have cycled more kilometres in more counties than Freewheeling France has done school runs by bike. And that's A LOT. Their fully equipped 2 bedroom gîte is designed for cyclists by cyclists – in every sense of the phrase. First, it is ideally located in a wonderfully quiet spot near the end of a country lane – yet only 800 metres from the centre of Mirabel-aux-Baronnies. The cycling possibilities in the area are countless. From the Mont Ventoux – the Malaucène climb is a 20km warmup ride away, while Bedoin is 30km – to the vineyards of the Rhone valley and the cols of the Drôme Provençale, this is true cycling paradise. There's a private terrace and pool for post-ride swims, or just enjoy a plancha meal or a wood-fired pizza direct from the oven in the lovely garden. The two bedrooms can be configured for singles or doubles. Added extras are included like bath towels and soft hammam towels for the pool. Being cyclists, Margriet and Erwin can advise on itineraries and provide maps and ride ideas. There is of course also a safe place for your bikes to sleep. English, Dutch, German, French and a bit of Spanish spoken.

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Le Puy en Velay - Appart Hôtel de Capucins

Modern rooms and hostel accommodation on the Compoestela

Ths old mill house has been given a contemporay makeover and offers lots of choice for anyone travelling along the Santiago de Compoestela route or visiting the town of Le Puy en Velay and its wonderful cathedral. There are standard hotel rooms, apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes as well as hostel-style dormitories for groups or cyclists and walkers on a budget. There's a bar and terrace and each morning a varied buffet breakfast to get you set up for the day ahead. Free wifi. Locked room for bikes.

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Le Puy en Velay – Ibis Centre

Handy stop for Santiago de Compostela and the source of the Loire

Reliable stopping point if you're following the Loire River from Gerbier de Jonc to Le Puy en Velay and Le Puy en Valay to Sancerre, or cycling Le Puy en Valay to Conques on the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela. 24-hour reception, free wifi, on-site bar and restaurant. Many rooms have views of the surrounding mountains. Buffet breakfast available daily. A short ride to the Le Puy-en-Velay train station. Management advises there is a lockable bike store. French, Spanish, English, German and Italian spoken.

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Puy de Dome - Archipel Volcans

A peaceful place to enjoy the Puy de Dome region

We stayed here on the way back from a trip to the Alps and found it a pleasant and welcoming base for exploring France's volcano region. We had a lovely room with a view (OK, so it was misty and we couldn't see much, but I'm sure it was lovely). The restaurant served beautiful local and regional produce with lots of options. There is secure bike storage and also local hire available through reception. Games area with table tennis and table football. Doubles, triples, quad and quin rooms, making it ideal for cycling groups or those wanting to split the costs of their accommodation. Packed lunches for panniers also available on request.

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Puy de Dome - Volcan Sancy Spa

Handy hotel for cycling the famous volcanoes of Auvergne

Logis Volcan Sancy Spa has 8 comfortable, spacious and fully-equipped bedrooms, 2 of which are suites. There is also a restaurant featuring regional dishes. The hotel provides a good base for exploring routes around the surrounding dormant volcanoes. Just 20 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand and 15 minutes from Vulcania theme park. Bike storage available for cyclists.

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