France Bike

Going up the beautiful valley of the river Rhone, you reach Bagnols-sur-Cèze where you leave the Rhone and arrive in the Cevennes foothills. The Cevennes feature many stunningly wild landscapes in which the Ardèche-Canyon is certainly the highlight. In 1994 near Vallon Pont d'Arc at the bottom of this amazing canyon researchers found what could be the oldest cave in the world. The prehistoric Chauvet-Cave is over 31,000 years old and approximately 420 paintings and engravings have been found. And the cave is now open to public. The local authorities are, however, currently building a copy of the cave, which will be open in a few years.

Once again, France-Bike is raising the stakes, not only does this bike tour feature breathtaking landscapes and highly interesting culture and history, but we have also found the most classy and stylish hotels in the region. As usual with France-Bike, our restaurants on the tour serve real treats ranging from regional specialties to 'Haute cuisine'.

It was built by Pierre Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681 in order to link the Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean. This idea had already been dreamt of by the Romans but was only carried out sixteen centuries later and even at that time was a considerable technological achievement. All along the 260 km of canal situated in the South of France with its 64 locks, you will come across authentic and varied landscapes where time seems to stand still silent. Cars and industry are missing, here the bicycle reigns, riding along the towpath under century old plane trees. France-Bike, has however, extended this bike tour for even more highlights, you’ll now also discover 2 other canals dating from the 18th Century, namely the Canal de la Robine to Narbonne, and the Rhone-S√®te canal between Montpellier and S√®te. This section alone has it all, as the canal leads through the heart of the lakes and marshland area, so typical of the Mediterranean. Flamingos, herons, gulls and countless other species of birds accompany you as soon as you set off.

Culture and architecture fans are in for a treat: Visit elegant Montpellier, the lively port and fishing town of S√®te, the Greek town of Agde with its Romanesque fortified church, B√©ziers Cathedral and beautiful old town, Narbonne and Archbishop's Palace, Gothic cathedral and underground Roman storage facilities, Carcassonne with the most powerful medieval double fortification in Europe (UNESCO World Heritage) and finally Toulouse, the red city on the Garonne River. And this tour is of course also a culinary journey of discovery through the varied and excellent southern cuisine. Discover new places, new smells, get some fresh air, look around you and relax on your bicycle while at the same time undertaking an activity which is good for your mind and body. This promenade along the water’s edge away from traffic will allow you to meet local people and other tourists and to appreciate the wonderful local cuisine.

And so when God created the sun, the earth, the mountains and seas, and put them into place, he realized that a little of each element remained. So he gathered the bits together to make a paradise and Provence was born' A nice and nearly true story, isn't it? On this bike tour you’ll discover Provence and the Lubéron national park - a land of light, colors and scents, thus, many well-known painters have lived in Provence: Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Cézanne, and Chagall among others. The Mediterranean climate is pleasant; the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. People live outside, even during the winter, play "Pétanque" and drink their "Pastis" or “Noisette” on the terrace. Peter Mayle lived in the Lubéron and wrote an amusing series of books which could make ideal holiday reading! Provence has not only an easy way of life, but it’s also one of the richest cultural regions in Europe. Numerous monuments testify to a long and great past since the Greek and Roman period going back to the Middle Ages and, even into the last centuries. Highlights of this tour include: Avignon: the famous Pope's Palace (World Heritage Site), the medieval town and its imposing wall; Orange: Has the best kept Roman monuments such as the theatre and the triumphal arch, Vaison la Romaine: is divided between a roman city and a medieval town on the hill. You’ll cross the famous vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone, the lavender fields when you approach the Lubéron - well known by Peter Mayle - with a two night stay in the lovely town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Beautiful landscapes await you such as Fontaine de Vaucluse supposedly the deepest river resurgence in the world, as they still don't know how deep the spring is! Gordes is a typical little village in Provence. S√©nanque abbey, with Fontenay in Burgundy, is one of the best conserved Cistercian abbeys in Europe surrounded by lavender fields. Roussillon: this village is known for its splendid ochre rocks. Also don’t miss the Mont Ventoux descent from 1900m above sea level! Lastly, we have to mention the quality of wine and food! During the cycle tour you will discover good Provencal dishes and their delicious Mediterranean flavors.

Spend 4 days in one of the loveliest French towns on the Mediterranean coast: Montpellier. This typical Mediterranean city is situated not far from the blue sea and its sandy beaches. The center of Montpellier is rich in medieval monuments and of those from the Renaissance and Classicism. Its university of medicine is the oldest in the World. This town also has one of the most extensive museums in France which was entirely renovated for several years and finally reopened in spring 2007. Lovely squares and many restaurants and cafés invite you to appreciate the Mediterranean way of life. Our 4**** hotel is a little jewel because it is situated in a historical monument from the beginning of the 20th century. And as gourmets, you'll eat and choose dishes every day in some of the best restaurants in Montpellier and in Palavas on the seafront. Pure Culinary culture!

It's very easy to come to Montpellier from London with Ryan Air. Flee your foggy days in the UK and swop them - an hour later - for the sunny weather of the Mediterranean in Montpellier! Why not extend one of our other trips such as 'Canal du Midi', 'Canyon and Valley of Hérault River' or 'Languedoc & Camargue' and finish your holiday with these Gourmet-Days to really relax?

This typical Mediterranean city is not far from the blue sea and its sandy beaches. The centre of Montpellier is full of medieval monuments and of those from the Renaissance and Classicism periods. Its university of medicine is the oldest in the World. This town also has one of the richest museums of France. Lovely squares and many restaurants and cafés invite you to appreciate the Mediterranean way of life. This tour then takes you on to Sommières, a nice medieval town on the Vidourle River crossed by a 2000 year old Roman bridge. A little paradise and lovely villages await you after Sommi√®res, this region is called "Vaunage". Its inhabitants were Protestants and lead a bloody rebellion against the "not so sunny" Louis XIV from 1703 to 1705 and unfortunately paid a heavy tribute.

On the way onto Nîmes, with its numerous roman monuments, you ride through vineyards and the Mediterranean scrubland landscape called the "Garrigue". After the Roman town you will ride along the Rhˆøne-Sète Canal through the untouched saltmarshes and inland lakes of the Camargue to the medieval walled town of Aigues-Mortes. From Aigues-Mortes, you ride along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea back to Montpellier.

Germany is worth a bike tour - especially with France-Bike, your partner for outstanding cycling holidays. This is a special cycle trip with a whole stay in the heart of the Low Rhine, at the little and picturesque city of Kevelaer. If you arrive on Monday or Tuesday and book 3 nights, we'll give you an extra night free! So you stay really 5 days with 4 nights in your 3*** hotel, take bike trips along the little brooks and the meadows, cross forests and ride along the Rhine and the Maas rivers. Some nice villages, castles surrounded by rills and old churches await you in this magnificent landscape!

You'll start the bike tour in elegant Montpellier. This typical Mediterranean city is not far from the blue sea and its sandy beaches. The center of Montpellier is full of medieval monuments and of those from the Renaissance and Classicism periods. Its university of medicine is the oldest in France. Lovely squares and many restaurants and cafés invite you to appreciate the Mediterranean way of life. This tour then takes you on to Sommi√®res, a nice medieval town on the Vidourle River crossed by a 2000 year old Roman bridge. A little paradise and lovely villages await you after Sommières, this region is called "Vaunage". Its inhabitants were Protestants and lead a bloody rebellion against the "not so sunny" Louis XIV from 1703 to 1705 and unfortunately paid a heavy tribute.

On the way onto Nîmes, with its numerous roman monuments, you ride through vineyards and the Mediterranean scrubland landscape called the "Garrigue". After the Roman town you will ride along the Rhône-Sète Canal through the untouched saltmarshes and inland lakes of the Camargue to the medieval walled town of Aigues-Mortes. From Aigues-Mortes, you ride along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea back to Montpellier.

Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans in Arles and Nîmes and discover the Middle Ages in the papal Avignon and the Crusader’s fortress Aigues-Mortes before you get to the young and dynamic metropolis Montpellier. And the variety of landscapes will astonish you. Start in the Rhone Valley and ride through the landscapes of Garrigues and the wild canyon of the Gardon. In the South of Nîmes starts the Camargue, immerse yourself in a world dominated by bull herds, white horses and pinks flamingoes and then reach the sunny golden beaches of the Mediterranean on your way to Montpellier.

We found a dreamlike 3*** country house hotel, the ‘Chateau de l’Hoste’ in the heart of the Périgord region. Surrounded by wood land and park areas it is the ideal starting point to discover this beautiful and natural part of France by bike. The daily stages are between 35 and 60 kilometers long and are suitable for everyone. And if one day you don’t want to ride your bike you can stay at the hotel and enjoy a day of relaxation on the hotel’s swimming pool.

Follow the footsteps of the Romans in Arles and Nîmes and discover the Middle Ages in the papal Avignon and the Crusader’s fortress Aigues-Mortes before you get to the young and dynamic metropolis Montpellier. And the variety of landscapes will astonish you. Start in the Rhone Valley and ride through the landscapes of Garrigues and the wild canyon of the Gardon. In the South of Nîmes starts the Camargue, immerse yourself in a world dominated by bull herds, white horses and pinks flamingoes and then reach the sunny golden beaches of the Mediterranean on your way to Montpellier.