France On Two Wheels: Tips and Trails To Try

Whether you’re looking to work up a sweat or just doing your part to help out the environment, cycling is a great alternative to driving—especially within the laidback culture and vast beauty of rural France. You can follow in the footsteps (or, um, tire treads) of the Tour de France or take a different route. Before setting out, though, consider these helpful travel tips for cyclers:

Know Your Limits

Are you an advanced cyclist? If so, great! But if not, don’t think that you can’t take advantage of France’s beautiful trails. To find bike routes best suited to novice cyclists (and especially those traveling with children), stick to areas with river valleys, canals and paved trails. Also, just like ski runs, the cycling trails of France are marked according to skill level. Pay attention to posted signs.

Transporting Your Bike

In France, you can usually take your bike on a train without issue. However, there is one exception: the TGV. The TGV does not allow bikes under any circumstances so passengers must put their bikes on a different train and pick them up at the station later. Also keep in mind that if you choose to rent a bike (instead of shipping one from home), you will have to return it to the same place you got it from. So map your route accordingly.

Consider Your Accommodations

While it’s easy to find great France hotels in major cities, cyclists commonly spend much of their time in rural areas. The regions of Aquitaine, Bretagne and Normandie are full of trails and bike-friendly hotels. Consider the lovely Edward 1er in Monpazier, or one of the many great hotels in Royan or Bordeaux. There are also many bike-friendly hotels in Vannes (like the Manche-Ocean) and Dieppe.

With so many bike trails through France, it can be hard to choose. Here are some of our picks:

Montbazillac Chateau to Chateau Des Vigiers

Distance: 24.63mi./39.64km

Duration: 02:24

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Begin in quaint Monbazillac, right at the largest wine chateau in Bergerac. This trail takes you through vineyards, past famous estates and finally to the luxurious Chateau des Vigiers, where you may end your journey with a glass of wine overlooking a golf course.

Bordeaux To Royan

Distance: 81.18mi./130.65km

Duration: 08:06

Difficulty: Easy

This long but easy and beautiful trail cuts through the rolling hills that line the coast of the Aquitaine region.

St. Pol de Leon to Cumic Beach

Distance: 31.99mi./51.48km.

Duration: 03:06

Difficulty: Moderate

This coastal trail in the northern part of France starts close to the Roscoff ferry port and ends at picture-perfect Cumic Beach. Cyclists are rewarded with fresh sea breezes and spectacular views.

Calais to Paris

Distance: 172.1mi./276.97km.

Duration: 17:12

Difficulty: Hard

Not for the novice cyclist, this lengthy trek can easily be divided into several days’ worth of cycling. It begins in the beautiful port city of Calais and ends in the heart of the capital. Along the way, the terrain varies greatly; it is especially hilly in Sangatte and Boulogne.