The bicycle is as much a part of French life and culture as the baguette and the Eiffel Tower.
The country has statues of cyclists on roads over Alpine mountain passes and city bike hire schemes. France is a nation that loves le vélo and in every department there are superbly maintained cycle paths and routes that make cycle touring one of the most enjoyable ways to explore France.
There are some of the best cycle routes in France.
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The first Tour de France competitors crested the Col de Tourmalet in 1910 and the winner yelled at the event organizers. Is that a reference to assassins. This legendary cycle route through the central Pyrenees should give you all the information you need.
During the 19 km climb from Luz Saint-Sauveur to the Col du Tourmalet you will reach an average angle of 7.39%. The Col du Tourmalet is considered to be one of the most fearful and exciting stages of the Tour de France because of its steep climb.
In the summer, hundreds of cyclists set out every day to see if they can race up and over the highest road pass in the Pyrenees. Expect to be blown away by the high mountain scenery even if you are panting up over the course of hours. This is one of the best cycle routes in France.
You can complete the Circle of Death if you ride from the Col de Peyresourde to the Col d'Aubisque.
Lovers of the good life are best for.
Wine, gently rolling countryside carpeted in vineyards, pleasing bike paths, and yet more wine are just some of the things that make Voie de Vignes a great place to visit. The 20 km between Beaune and Santenay in the Burgundy region of eastern France is all about the gift of the grape.
Tastings are available at the cole des Vins de Bourgogne, but be aware that drink-driving rules apply to cyclists. Take a left at the Chteau de Pommard and a right at the Chteau de Meursault, both of which produce acclaimed wines.
It's best for families and cyclers.
The almost pancake-flat le de Ré lies a short way offshore from La Rochelle on the central Atlantic coast and is perfect for family bike rides. A network of well-maintained cycle paths across the island is pretty much guaranteed to include lazy cycling along long, sandy beaches, through beautiful villages and past small seaside towns where you can stop to refuel with a seafood lunch.
The le de Ré is a great place to ride a bike. It is simply pleasure after simply pleasure.
It's best for cyclists.
There is a picture book image of southern France. This inland region of Provence with its sun-soaked olive groves, vineyards, and fields of startlingly bright lavender plants is the inspiration for a thousand novels, films and paintings.
Most people don't notice the hard work that goes into riding here because they are so enamored with the countryside. Some of the routes are easy for the family to ride, while others, like the complete 236 km circuit of the region, are more difficult.
It's best for first-timers and history buffs.
The Canal du Midi is a rolling call of crumbling castles, quiet villages and stately plane trees. The Canal du Midi is a heavy part of history. This is the oldest canal in Europe and the first canal in the world to use a system of locks. Leonardo da Vinci was the man who invented the canal locks.
There are a lot of bike-friendly tourist facilities along the Canal du Midi. It is almost like the dream cycle route. The Canal du Midi is a cycle path that goes from Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea in Ste. The first part of the route is skipped by most people and they start their adventure in the fortified town of Carcassonne. You have to ride for four days before you can dive into the sea.
History buffs and anyone who has ever been on a bike are the best.
Loire Vélo is a long-distance cycle route in France. The route follows the River Loire from its birthplace in the Massif Central to its union with the ocean on the Atlantic seaboard.
If you take the 100 km stretch through the Touraine region, you'll get to see some of the best parts of the tour. This is the center of French chteaux country, and along the way, lucky bikers will roll alongside glories such as Chinon.
You can ignore the main Loire Valley route and take any number of side trail to other chteaux and attractive towns and villages. It is possible for tourist offices to advise on trails for everyone.
It's best for anyone who is interested in World War I.
Images of the waste and destruction of WWI and the Battle of the Somme immediately come to mind. The 99 mile cycle route along the banks of the River Somme passes by many sad reminders of the terrible events of the First World War. It's similar to a cycling holiday.
The Somme isn't a place of tears anymore. The ride is one of the best in northern France.
There are plenty of towns and villages to rest up in along the way and the route is largely level, which makes this one long-distance route that almost anyone can take on.
Cyclists with legs of steel are the best.
One of the world's great cycle destinations is the French Alps, which has spectacular mountain vistas and soaring and tumbling roads. Most Alpine routes are not for first-timers and there are endless biking possibilities for experienced riders.
The routes up to and down from the Col de la loze are some of the most well-known. The 3 Vallées circuit is currently under construction, and there are four different cycle routes that take in the pass. There is a 7 km climb from 1673m to a high of 2 304m.
The article was first published in September of 2020.
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