When is the best time to go on a cycling tour in France?
Our many years of experience cycling around France mean that we are in tune with the weather across the different regions of France.
Let us explain the best time of year to explore France on two wheels…
Cycling season in France
From Brittany to the Loire, the Alps to Provence, we have tailored our French Cycling Holidays annual tour schedule to make the most of the best weather conditions in France.
By matching the region to the weather, we can avoid cycling under the fierce sun, and find breezy, warm and pleasant rides in the varied regional climates of this stunning country.
Using our years of experience riding in France, we also know how to avoid the most crowded places and stick to more pleasant, off-the-beaten track cycle paths.
Of course, our riders want to visit some of France’s most famous destinations – Rocamadour, Château de Chenonceau, the fortress of Carcassonne….. The list goes on! So our routes are tailored to make the most of these amazing highlights during less busy times.
Visit Château de Chenonceau on our Loire Valley tour
When is the best time to do a bike tour in France?
We start our season of cycling tours in April, and run through until late September/early October.
In April and May, we tailor our routes to follow the sunshine, so we head to Provence for some Roman Heritage (and wine), then explore the Canal du Midi as well as the beautiful Loire and Burgundy countryside as they bloom in early summer.
Our two cycle tours in Provence are timed to enjoy the best that the region has to offer, including lavender in bloom
June is a prime time for enjoying France on two wheels – glorious early summer, and the sunshine is not enough to reach heatwave status, but remains delightfully warm. It’s a busy month for us and we cycle pretty much every day, all over the country!
July can have hotter spells, so our routes are centred around finding shade, rivers and even France’s cool underground wine cellars!
By August, cyclists have had chance to get plenty of training completed, and kilometres (or miles) under their belts. We head to the mountains for some challenging rides, and also to stay away from the heat and crowds along the coasts.
September is another optimum month for pedalling around La Belle France. We pack the weeks with tours, heading back to the coast as the tourists disperse, and taking in some of the famous sightseeing destinations.
Finding the Spring sunshine
French riding season starts in April, when we soak up the Spring sunshine in the South of France.
Alongside the glorious riding, the cycle trails bedecked with with flowers in bloom, we pack our rides with interesting visits to experience the best of France's culture and history, letting our imaginations fly as we linger in fairytale chateaux, or admire prehistoric cave art.
We can really feel the joy of slow travel in France, loitering in beautiful landscapes, enjoying lazy lunches, squeezing in an extra wine tasting en route to the hotel…
Early summer riding
June. The sun is out, the air temperatures are warm, France's amazing fresh produce floods the markets, and everyone’s smiling as they sip coffee in the sunshine or enjoy apéritifs on the terrace...
Our busiest month on the bikes, we blaze a trail around France, taking in the sights before the crowds arrive, and making the most of being outside during the long days.
On summer solstice, we also celebrate Fête de la Musique, when musicians take to the streets and put on free shows, from the big cities to the most rural villages. The atmosphere is buzzing and it’s a wonderful time to be in France.
Riding in June and July means warm breezes caressing your bare arms and picture-perfect scenery with summer flowers decking the rustic cottage gardens.
Riding among vineyards and between wine tastings on our Burgundy Wine Explorer tour
August: time to gain altitude
As the mercury creeps higher, it’s time to head up into the mountains. Think cooling alpine lakes, pine-shaded roads, and cold beers at the top with truly breath-taking views.
By August, keen cyclists who have been in training since Spring (or indeed, all Winter!) will have built up the strength and stamina to complete some of France’s most famous climbs – Mont Ventoux, the Alpine cols and Tour de France étapes… As you pedal you will see your heroes’ names scrawled across the tarmac (and even imagine your own) which spurs you on through the tough hairpins.
What goes up, must come down: of course we advocate taking it easy on the descents, but there’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of a downhill ride.
Climbing Col de la Loze - a famous stage on the Tour de France
A season of bounty: riding into Autumn
An abundance of options for cycle touring matches the bountiful produce in the French markets! "The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" is an beautifully atmospheric time to explore France.
Summer heat diminishes to leave cooler temperatures, whilst trees turn magnificent shades of gold, rust and chestnut and the grapes, apples, pears and nuts reach ripening point. The morning mists yield wild mushrooms aplenty, which feature on many seasonal restaurant menus – now’s the time to order your chicken with a forestière/champignon sauce.
Cycling season complete!
By the end of October, after a full season of cycling and many happy memories of all those wonderful bike tours, we are ready to retire from the saddle and switch to the indoor trainer, or another sport, to keep fit ready to do it all over again next year!
Wondering what to pack for a cycling holiday?
Our 'What to pack' guide will help you decide what to wear for riding in Spring, Summer, Autumn, the mountains or the coast... And don't forget that the great thing about riding with a guided tour is that our minibus is never far away, so you can keep extra layers or spare clothing/accessories in the van, or shed a layer if you are too hot. Or indeed get a ride to the next stop, if you are finding the riding too challenging!
If you have any questions about dates, weather, or our cycling holiday routes, don't hesitate to get in touch, we're always very happy to chat.
- fch@frenchcyclingholidays.com
- +44(0) 1923 894305 or +44(0)20 8357 8934
- Browse our articles for more inspiration on France's regions
