Paris-Brest-Paris

It started in 1891 as a challenging bicycle race of 1.200 kilometres from the French capital to the most western city of France, and immediately back. In an era when diamond safety frames and pneumatic tires were taking over from high-wheelers with solid rubber tires, Paris-Brest-Paris was an "épreuve", a test of the bicycle's reliability. The riders carried their own food and clothing and only Frenchmen were allowed to enter, 207 participated.

Nowadays Paris-Brest-Paris is grown into a mythical cycling event with thousands of riders from all around the world and is held every four years. The holy grail of long distance cycling is a kind of "Olympics" for determined cycling enthusiasts. They leave Paris in western direction, keep on riding, fill themselves up with energy bars and gels on the bike, continue during dusk and darkness, take powernaps in bus stops, reach almost straightaway Brest, and return to the French capital in the same rhythm. 1.200 km in less than 90 hours, the time limit.

Paris-Brest-Paris is a great event, but it's also a pity that such a rich and diverse part of France is traversed so quickly, partly passed in complete darkness, and so missing all attractive and historic sites. As you may expect from Bike-Dreams, we want to ride Paris-Brest-Paris in an alternative way. We take our time, we cycle along a varied mix of interesting places and have planned some rest days in between to absorb and enjoy the French splendour, style and gastronomy. From the fairy-tale castles along the Loire to the assault beaches of D-Day. From the prehistoric Carnac to the oyster farmers near Saint Malo. From iconic places of the Tour de France to the enchanted appearance of Le Mont Saint Michel.