Everything you need to know about cycling in France your independent guide

Where to cycle in France

Click on the map to search the regions for bike routes in France, cycling holidays, bike hire and lots of other inspiration for cycling in France.

10 One-day Canal Bike Rides in France

No time for an epic canal ride? Here are 10 single day bike rides along French canals.

Bike facilities at Les Camélias in the Auvergne

An irregular series of photo blogs about cycling facilities at bike-friendly hotels, B&Bs and gites around France.

Bike facilities at the Saint-Nazaire Holiday Inn Express

An irregular series of blogs about bike facilities at cycling hotels, B&Bs and gites in France. Here's the Holiday Inn Express at Saint-Nazaire.

Bike rental along the Loire River

Reader Q&A: Catherine wrote in to ask about bike hire along the Loire River. Here's our email exchange.

Cycling on Île d’Aix

We took our bikes for a day’s cycling on Île d’Aix, one of France’s smallest and most picturesque islands. It’s also (almost) car-free.

Cycling the wine regions of France

There are so many French wine areas to explore by bike – Caro Feely has this guide to help you decide where to start.

Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo - Route report for between La Reole and Agen

Britta Sorensen takes a springtime ride along the Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo and reviews the route between La Reole and Agen.

Day rides in the Hérault department of the Languedoc

Reader Q&A: Susie asked about dayrides around Capestang in the Hérault department of Languedoc-Roussillon. Here's what I suggested.

Cycling traffic-free routes in Brittany

Reader Q&A: Glenys asked about cycling traffic-free routes in Brittany. Here's our Facebook exchange.

Where to cycle in Abbeville, Picardy

Reader Q&A: Paul wrote to ask about cycling around Abbeville in Picardy. Here's what we came up with.

Bike tours around Paris and Versailles

Reader Q&A: Susanna wrote from Australia to ask about bike tours around Paris and Versailles.

Bike facilities at Cycle Corsavy

An irregular series of blogs about bike facilities at cycling hotels, B&Bs and gites in France. Here's Rob's cavernous bike room at Cycle Corsavy.

Learn French while cycling in the Alps

Here's a great idea – French lessons in the Alps combined with Morzine cycling holidays and mountain biking.

Hotel accommodation in the Loire for a self-guided cycling holiday

Reader Q&A: John asked for advice for a self-guided ride in the Loire for a large group of riders. Here's what I came up with.

Driver support for cycling from Nice to Barcelona

Reader Q&A: Charlie emailed from Scotland to ask about finding a support driver for cycling from Nice to Barcelona.

Advice for cycling the Canal des 2 Mers

Reader Q&A: After reading about the Canal des Deux Mers bike route, Eli sent me the following email to ask for more advice.

Bike route for cycling from Strasbourg to Marseille

Reader Q&A: David asked for a bike route from Strasbourg to Marseille that avoided mountains. Here's what we came up with.

Our itinerary for the La Velo Francette

Still packing panniers, but here's a quick itinerary of our La Velo Francette ride starting tomorrow.

Arçais to Niort on the La Vélo Francette

Here's today's stage from Arçais to Niort through the Marais Poitevin on the La Vélo Francette

Niort to Parthenay on the La Vélo Francette

Here's today's stage from Niort to Parthenay on the La Vélo Francette

Parthenay to Thouars on La Vélo Francette

Here's today's stage from Parthenay to Thouars on La Vélo Francette.

Thouars to Saumur La Vélo Francette

Cycling the La Vélo Francette – here's our stage from Thouars to Saumur on La Vélo Francette.

Saumur to Angers on La Vélo Francette

Cycling the La Vélo Francette – here's our stage from Saumur to Angers on La Vélo Francette.

Cycling in Angers

Cycling around Angers on the Loire à Vélo and La Vélo Francette bike routes.

Cycling Angers to Mayenne on La Vélo Francette

We are cycling the entire route of the new La Vélo Francette – here's our overview of the route from Angers to Mayenne.

Cycling Mayenne to Domfront on La Vélo Francette

We are cycling the entire route of the new La Vélo Francette – here's our bike route from Mayenne to just south of Domfront.

Cycling Domfront to Pont-d'Ouilly on La Vélo Francette

We are cycling the entire route of the new La Vélo Francette from La Rochelle to Caen – here's our bike route from Domfront to Pont-d'Ouilly.

Cycling Pont-d'Ouilly to Caen on La Vélo Francette

We're cycling the La Vélo Francette bike route from La Rochelle to Caen – here's the final Pont-d'Ouilly to Caen stretch (and then a bit in Paris).

Cycle hire and bike route advice for cycling in Burgundy

Reader Q&A: Kyle wrote to ask about bike hire and local route advice for cycling in Burgundy. Here's our email exchange.

Guest blog: Gary & Rachel cycling Roscoff to Nantes

Gary and Rachel Corbett cycle Roscoff to Nantes on their European cycling adventure.

Taking bikes on trains from Brittany to La Rochelle

Reader Q&A: Penny wrote to ask about taking bikes on trains from La Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany to La Rochelle in Poitou-Charentes.

Guest blog: Gary & Rachel's Loire reflections

Gary and Rachel Corbett are on a world record e-bike ride. Here, Gary reflects on their time cycling the Loire.

So, you think you can't climb mountains on your bike ...

I've stolen this post from Gerry across at the Vicious Cycle blog because it's just 100% ace.

Jumping red lights in Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux

It's now legal to 'jump red lights' at some intersections in Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux following extensive studies into cycling safety in French cities.

Sally's bike-friendly studio apartment in Provence

I received an email recently from Sally in Provence. She's renovated a studio apartment in the heart of the Var's wonderful countryside – and she's keen for cyclists to use it.

A week cycling the Canal du Midi

Hilde Morris spent a week cycling the Canal du Midi in October 2015. In time for the new cycling season, here's an update on a popular route that's in a state of flux.

Cycling from Carcans to Hourtin

Reader Q&A: Kerry emailed to ask about cycling around Carcans on the French Atlantic Coast

Car-free Sundays on the Champs-Elysées

Paris is following in the cycle tracks of Bordeaux and other French cities by introducing car-free Sundays.

La Resistance - An Alpine gravel ride with a difference

Join France's newest cycling challenge when La Resistance takes to the gravel roads of the French Alps. Here's what you need to know.

Kate's cycling B&B near Agen on the Canal de Garonne

Here's the lowdown on a lovely little B&B on the Canal de Garonne bike towpath between Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Ventoux Cycling Holidays

So you want to ride Ventoux? If you need a little support, I'm now offering a bespoke service to help you arrange your Ventoux cycling holiday. Here's how I can help.

Jasmine Cottage – within reach of both Futuroscope and Saumur

Fancy a spot of cycling in a peaceful area of France within reach of the Loire but without the crowds. Look no further ...

Ride the Figure of Hate Cyclosportive

We look at the Figure of Hate Cyclosportive, a sportive billed as one of France's most brutal.

Provence cycling holidays - let me help you!

Need help arranging your Provence cycling holiday? Maybe you need luggage transfers or route-planning advice? Then this page is for you.

My French cycling holiday bespoke planning service

Need help arranging your cycling holiday in France? Then this page is for you.

The super bike assembly area at Nice airport

Take a peek at the excellent bike assembly area that awaits you at Nice airport.

Reader Q&A: Cycling from Grenoble to Alpe d'Huez

We received this enquiry asking about a bike route for cycling from Grenoble to Alpe d'Huez.

Reader Q&A: Which section of the Loire is best for cycling with kids?

Reader Q&A: Cycling from Le Puy-en-Velay to Roscoff

We had a request by email for some advice on riding a tandem from Le Puy-en-Velay to Roscoff.

French Sportives Calendar

If you fancy tackling a cycling sportive in France then our calendar is the place to find the one for you.

On the blog

Car-free days in the Alps for the Oisans Col Series

The roads around Alpe d'Huez will be turned over to cyclists every Tuesday morning throughout the summer for the Oisans Col Series.

Posted: 27 Jun 2018

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