Cyclodyssées

This land of contrasts, where desert landscapes and lush valleys, snow-capped mountains and agricultural plains yellowed by the summer heat, monumental churches and sumptuous Arab buildings, seafronts plagued by mass tourism and hinterlands where time seems to have stood still, lively Christian traditions and frenzied gypsy flamencos, does not leave its passing visitors indifferent. But Andalusia is above all a country within its host country, where despite its recurring economic problems, a really relaxed attitude prevails, which makes it a good place to live. In such a state of mind, everything is an excuse for a fiesta, and there are countless local festivities. There is no doubt that the good humour of the Andalusians will be contagious!

This cycling odyssey is therefore a concentrate of all the best that Andalusia has to offer, taking you in turn to discover its most grandiose landscapes, its exceptional architectural heritage, the diversity of its traditions or its renowned culinary know-how.

Far from its coasts disfigured by concrete, an enchanting Andalusia will thus open up, where through small backroads you will discover its bucolic countryside dotted with olive groves and cereal fields, its wind-swept ridges, its typical karst cliffs, its crystal-clear lakes, its dense forests, its green pastures and its countless small villages of cute white-dressed houses, which are the hallmark of the entire region. If there were to be one constant on this trip, it would be these perched villages with whitewashed houses and winding streets, whose charm can apparently drive you crazy. In these often remote countryside, where the race for modernity seems doomed to failure, you will take a real leap in time, and it is thus not uncommon to come across one or the other shepherd with his flock in the detour of a bend.

If the countryside is ideal for progressing by bike, the route is sometimes also quite rugged, and it may therefore be wise to opt for an electric bike in order to enjoy your trip, especially if you aren't used to cycling or doing other physical activity on a regular basis. In the evening, you will fortunately always find all the comfort you need to get back in the saddle the next day!

Highlights

• The beauty and the variety of the landscapes
• The perched white villages, typical of the region
• A rich architectural heritage, mixing Islamic and Christian influences
• The communicative joie de vivre of the Andalusians
• Charming accommodations all along the route
• Easy to combine with a citytrip to Seville / Granada, or a few days of idleness on the Costa del Sol.

Whether for its excellent wines, gastronomy, picture-perfect flower-filled villages, sun-drenched vineyards, storks or Christmas markets, Alsace’s reputation is well established. What is less well known is that Alsace is also France’s leading cycling region, thanks to its strong Germanic influences. A dense network of greenways and cycle paths criss-crosses the region.

Cycling is the ideal way to explore this fascinating region: quiet country lanes with almost no traffic wind cheerfully through hillside vineyards, punctuated by charming traditional villages competing for prettiness. Countless half-timbered houses and fortified walls have withstood modernisation, making these villages feel straight out of a fairy tale. Even more so as many are now closed to motor traffic. Add cobbled streets and the regular chime of church bells, and after a few glasses of Riesling or Pinot, you may well be convinced you have been magically transported back to the Middle Ages.

Starting from Strasbourg, your itinerary begins after a short train journey (40 minutes) along the Vallée des Éclusiers. Recently restored, it reveals a key part of Vosges heritage. A beautifully scenic greenway now runs along the canal. You then cycle through the interesting towns of Saverne and Marmoutier before reaching the famous Alsace Wine Route. Over three days, you follow a narrow strip of vineyards clinging to the foothills of the Vosges, regularly offering superb views over the Alsace plain below. Along the way, you pass through some of France’s most beautiful villages, including Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim. A shuttle or a sporty climb also allows you to visit the impressive Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, perched high above the plain.

Your Alsatian odyssey ends in the magnificent town of Colmar, which in many ways embodies the very essence of Alsace.

Highlights :

• One of France’s most beautiful cycling and wine routes
• A succession of villages straight out of the Middle Ages : Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Obernai, and all the others !
• the Vallée des Éclusiers with its charming old-world atmosphere
• Discovering Strasbourg and Colmar, typical Alsacian places
• Numerous touristic attractions : wine cellars, castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, abbeys, museums, markets, …
• the option to choose between 2 levels of difficulty for most stages

The pros race it on July 26, 2026. Take your turn and cycle the same route! ​ For one day every summer, the streets of Paris belong to the greatest cyclists in the world. The crowds roar. The peloton flies. And the Champs-Élysées becomes the most famous finish line on earth. ​ The race is over. The roads are still there. ​ This is your chance to ride the exact route of the 2026 Tour de France Paris finale — the cobbled climbs of Montmartre, the sweep down to the Seine, and a finish on the Champs-Élysées that will give you chills whether you've watched the Tour your whole life or just discovered it this summer.

Stage Highlights

• Montmartre — Rue Lepic: The centrepiece of the finale. A narrow, cobbled climb through one of Paris's most atmospheric neighbourhoods — steep enough to hurt, beautiful enough to make you forget. The pros climbed it three times at race pace. You'll take it at yours.
• Sacré-Cœur Viewpoint: At the top of each Montmartre ascent, the whole of Paris spreads out below you. We stop. You breathe. You take it in.
• Eiffel Tower: Start and end your tour with the amazing feeling of cycling past the historical beauty, La Tour d'Eiffel.
• The Champs-Élysées: The most famous cycling finish in the world. You'll roll onto it the same way the peloton did — and it feels every bit as good as it looks on television.

If there were a region that remains largely unknown to the wider public, yet is both close and exotic, it would undoubtedly be this small piece of wild land fiercely attached to its Celtic roots: Wales. As the smallest of the four nations making up the United Kingdom, this off-the-beaten-path destination is just a few hours by train from Paris or Brussels!

Wales, perhaps even more so than its neighbours Scotland and Ireland, is a land steeped in mysticism, where everything seems designed to make familiar reference points disappear and transport you into a thrilling, romantic imagination!

On land…

The wind-swept highlands invite contemplation with their vastness and raw beauty. Only low-lying vegetation thrives in these harsh landscapes. As you descend the slopes, the bleating of thousands of sheep gradually pulls you out of solitude. The brown hues of burnt moorland give way to the vivid green of pastures.

In the sky…

The skies mirror these vast sheep-covered lands, forming a mosaic of clouds, some darker than others (like the sheep!). Probably even more than in Brittany, you will experience all four seasons in a single day… and the accompanying rainbows!

Among the people…

As you approach the valley bottoms, the vegetation becomes increasingly lush, and impenetrable forests block the way. Nestled in these shadowy valleys, stone villages with charming names like Llanwrst, Penrhyndeudraeth, Pwllheli, and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (yes, that’s really the name!) highlight Wales’ untamed character. While the more numerous English eventually established themselves with massive castles (Wales has the highest density of castles per km²!), the proud Welsh never lost their spirit. Welsh, the language from which Breton originates, remains the most widely spoken Celtic language in the world, and more than 700 years after English rule, many locals still speak it daily. That said, the Welsh are very welcoming, and you will have no trouble communicating in English.

By bike…

As for Wales itself, if you don’t mind the occasional shower or a few steep hills, cycling here is an absolute delight. The landscapes are wonderfully varied and strikingly beautiful. Stone villages and castles will transport you to another era. Wales also caters to lovers of the dolce vita: stunning white-sand beaches, sea swims, enchanting English gardens, and diverse cuisine await!

And while Wales may not yet have the fame of Scotland, it is actually less rainy, more affordable, less touristy, and closer than its northern neighbour. A friendly tip!

Enjoy your trip! Taith dda!

Highlights :

• Pedaling along the Llangollen Canal, with its old-world charm
• The enchanting landscapes of the high plateaus, straight out of a movie
• The small stone villages, the medieval cities, and the massive fortresses
• Colorful seaside resorts lined with beautiful sandy beaches
• An off-the-beaten-path destination just a few hours away from London
• A still very present Celtic identity, reminiscent of Ireland or Scotland