Biking France

Discover the northern part of the royal valley by riding along the majestic river from Orléans to Tours where thousand treasures are waiting for you :historical heritage with numerous chateaux, wonderful landscapes of different natural areas, regional gastronomy delights.

Highlights

• Cycling itineraries on the « Loire à Vélo »
• Magic arrival facing the Château of Chambord
• A route on François 1st and Leonard Da Vinci’s traces

The Loire à Vélo cycling itinerary gives the opportunity to discover somes hidden places: from the Renaissance gardens of Villandry, ride to one of the most beautiful villages of France, Crissay sur Manse! From the iconic ch‚teau d'Azay le Rideau, let be seduced by the magic of the both château d'Ussé and château du Rivau, straight out of a fairy tale.

And if the cycling paths wander between wild Loire river banks and toglodyte houses, the Chinon and Saumur vineyards guide you to unexpected mediaeval cities, to the impressive underground tunnels of château de Brézé!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• A mix between cycling paths and outstanding sideroads
• The elegant chateau d'Azay le Rideau and the surprising château de Brézé
• Chinon and Saumur vineyards
• Montsoreau and Crissay-sur-Manse : ones of the « Most Beautiful Villages of France »

So, that city full of cultural and historical places is the logical starting point for your cycling trip.

Get carried away by the sweet atmosphere and follow an itinerary which will guide you from the 'Entre deux mers' area to the land of 'Haut MÈdoc'. Smell the delicate and fruity fragrances spreading from the famous wine properties bearing suggestive names, and dream about the glorious & turbulent past of the old properties you will cross.

Highlights

• A bike tour through the most prestigious vineyards of Bordeaux
• The docks of Bordeaux: one of the most wonderful urban heritage in the world
• The fortress of Blaye, built by Vauban

Discover the Champagne area, a region known all over the world for its vineyards, through the countryside routes which will guide you to charming villages between vineyards, forests and the Marne river valley …

Enjoy a privileged moment to taste this ‘divine nectar’ and the authentic gourmet products from this province.

Highlights

• Hautvilliers: The nice hilltop village of Dom Perignon
• The famous « Côte des blancs » Chardonnay cradle!
• The best part of Champagne in 3 bikes stages

From Bordeaux, follow the estuary of La Gironde before riding the bucolic ‘Roger Lapébie’ bike path through the famous Bordeaux vineyards. Then cycle along the Canal de Garonne to Toulouse before proceeding on the mythical Canal du Midi (UNESCO World Heritage), to reach Carcassonne, real highlight of your trip!

A colorful bike trip with famous vineyards, prestigious cities (Bordeaux and Toulouse) and architectural achievements (the canal bridge of Agen, the abbeys of Moissac and La Sauve Majeure, and the medieval cities of Marmande, Damazan and of course Carcassonne).

Highlights

• The exceptional cloister of Moissac Abbey!
• Cross the vineyards of the Entre-Deux Mers on a perfect bike path
• The peaceful and friendly atmosphere along the canals
• Carcassonne! ... for a total immersion in the Middle Ages

With these excursions, you will be able to visit freely this little piece of heaven. The Dune du Pilat, the higher sand dune in Europe; the Cap Ferret and its oyster villages and the Delta de la Leyre and the birds park.Take your time to walk around in the oyster ports, taste some seafood. Ride peacefully along the beaches, enjoy the waves for some bathing. Enjoy your holidays at your own rhythm!

Highlights

• The dune du Pilat, uninterrupted view on the Arcachon Bay
• The Cap Ferret and its oysters’ villages
• Arcachon and the Arcachonnaises of the winter town

Follow the bike paths as leaving Bordeaux, stroll about accross the vineyards, ride under the shading pines’ forest!

This itinerary by bike leads you from Bordeaux ‘La Belle endormie’ to the Arcachon bay. You will be enthralled by the variety of landscapes that offers the tour: Between urban heritage, vines, pines, dunes and beaches.

Highlights

• Bordeaux, World Heritage Site by UNESCO
• Margaux and the Bordelais greatest vineyards
• Arcachon Bay, the Dune du Pilat, the seaside softness
• The quietness of the cycle paths under the shading pine forest

[Read my first-hand account of this tour at Aquitaine in a Nutshell - Bruce]

Discover unknown Brittany, far away from the overcrowded beaches and cycle on the 'Voie Verte' path along the Ille and Rance Canal, from one river lock to the next.

Highlights

• The Green Lane safe itinerary, along the Canal
• The discovery of Rennes, « Town of Art and History »
• The arrival in Saint Malo by the sea: an amazing view!

Epernay, capital of Champagne, is the perfect starting point to discover this worldwide known vineyard and its charming authentic villages producing Champagne. In the city center, the great 'avenue de Champagne', with its 110 kilometres of wine cellars has been entirely refurbished. Today it is known as one of the most prestigious avenue in the world.

Highlights

• Stay in Epernay, in the heart of Champagne!
• Cycle on the new greenway along the Marne river
• The small Chavot-Courcourt church lost in the middle of the vineyards

The "canal du Midi", architect Pierre-Paul Riquet's masterpiece, is the most famous water canal in Europe for its amazing measurements and for its peaceful surroundings. The idea of digging this channel linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea dates back to Antiquity but it was under Louis the 14th's reign that it has been built.

Along the channel, discover the countryside landscapes and farms of the 'Laugarais' area, the gentle slopes sprinkled with vineyards, the chateaux of the Aude area and the city of Carcassonne up to the Mediterranean beaches.

Highlights

• The Minervois and its vine-clad slopes
• The medieval city of Carcassonne, World Heritage Site by UNESCO
• And at the end of the towpath … the beach