Is a French Cycling Holiday for you? Of course it is!
Have you ever wanted to visit an area of France, but the thought of trying to navigate in a different country and different language has put you off?
Considered a coach or bus tour, but don't fancy not being able to stop and take pictures when you want?
Then how about a cycling holiday, in a small and friendly group, guided by a French-speaking cyclist, and having your luggage, hotels, restaurants etc. all organised for you? At French Cycling Holidays, this is our area of expertise! Let us explain...
- See our cycle tour destinations
What's a French Cycling Holiday really like?
Someone suggests a cycling holiday in France, and two images may come to mind... You, on a bike, baguette in your basket, maybe some cheese and wine, a picnic spot by a river… Or are you picturing one of those tortured soles with large bags attached to their back wheels, struggling up a hill alone?
On our guided tours, the first image is definitely a more accurate representation! So if it's experiencing France from the freedom of a bike you are looking for, exploring rustic villages, indulging in local wine and food, taking snapshots of stunning panoramas and UNESCO landmarks, all whilst someone else takes care of the map and your luggage, then it sounds like you would be right at home on our bike tours!
We take care of transporting your luggage, and we provide the baguette, wine and cheese, decide the routes, book the restaurants, choose the best hotels, and even share our stories and local knowledge!
- Further reading: Getting to know the 'Real France'
Will a cycling holiday be too hard for me?
This is always the first question! The answer is that everyone who has ridden a bike before can participate in a French Cycling Holiday tour. Drawing upon years of experience cycling around France (we were founded in 2002), we have put together different levels of tours to suit all rider types. We also have support van/minibus for anyone who feels like they have had enough for the day and just want a break.
Do I need to hire my own bike? I don't know where to start!
No! Included in the price is a lightweight TREK hybrid bike: comfortable when riding on roads, bike paths, trails etc. Our guides keep them highly maintained and ride them as well. You can bring your own pedals, if you like, but we stock flat and SPD compatible pedals. Helmets can also be provided.
If you have a partner, spouse or friend who wants to join the holiday but is worried about the cycling, have no fear. You can add the option of an e-bike rental. With the evolution of e-bikes everyone can enjoy the fresh air and still feel like they have worked to earn their three-course meal and glass of wine at the end of the day. Plus you get to enjoy the scenery all around you without worrying about trying to keep up with your travelling companion!
Not sure about an e-bike or what it is? You hear people say it is "cheating"… That is only because they have not tried one!
An e-bike open doors for more and more people to either continue their passion to cycle as they have aged or suffered injuries, or just make life simpler. On all our tours we have options for you to rent an e-bike. We know of people buying e-bikes for a greener way to commute to work, for local shopping trips, travelling around town but whatever the reason we love them and welcome e-bikers to our groups!
Enjoying the ease of an e-bike on our leisure tours
Tell me more about e-bikes...
At French Cycling Holidays we get many questions… NO - there is not a really long electrical cord that goes from the bike to the van while you ride along… ;-)
Do you still need to pedal? Yes! Like a regular bike if you stop pedalling the bike will eventually stop.
In simple terms there is a rechargeable battery attached to a small motor on the bike that provides assistance when you are pedalling when or if you want /need it.
If for example you are riding on flat terrain you can just ride the bike like normal - pedal, pedal, pedal - but you are tired or on rolling terrain, you turn on the electric assist (usually a button on your handlebar) and the motor will provide electric power as you pedal. You still switch gears as the terrain changes just like a regular bike (this helps preserve the battery life).
The electric pedal assistance is a great feeling as it can make the cycling effortless when you want it to and flattens out those hills! Be aware you may have a string of riders behind you drafting to make their own hill climbing easier!
A road e-bike by GIANT for our sport tours
What do I wear for cycling, do I have to dress in lycra?!
No! You're extremely welcome to cycle in whatever you feel is most comfortable, here at French Cycling Holidays, we are completely non-judgemental and want you to be comfortable. Some people prefer lycra cycling shorts with padding, others don't.
How many people join each cycling tour?
We believe that our trips should be an opportunity to meet people and make new friends. Our groups are limited to a maximum of 16, which is the largest number that we can give a personal service to, and a minimum of 6 people, which we feel is the number needed to achieve a group spirit. If you prefer to set up a private tour with your own group, we can organise this for you too! Just get in touch.
Cycle guides Susan and David with one of our riders in South-West France
Are there age limits for your cycling holidays?
There is no specific upper age limit — the only constraint is a reasonable level of fitness. We have recently helped riders celebrate 80th birthdays in France! Children between 10 and 16 are welcome as part of family groups, but we do not recommend our cycling trips for children under 10.
How fit do I need to be for a cycle tour?
Anybody who is reasonably active should be able to take part and enjoy our cycling tours in France. Our French biking tours have different levels of physical exertion:
- Easy going: Choose either the Loire Valley tour for entrancing chateaux, or our Bordeaux cycle tour for wonderful wines and Dordogne scenery
- Feeling up for a little more? Try our Normandy, Provence Roman Heritage, Mediterranean and Canal du Midi, and Burgundy wine cycle holidays
- Regular rider: Our Provence Lubéron villages, Dordogne Castles and Caves and tours all require a reasonable level of fitness.
- Sports tours: Our sports tours around Mont Ventoux and the Legendary Alpine Cols are aimed at enthusiast cyclists who might want to bring their own road bikes. However, the rides are not races and there is no time limit - there is always the minibus if things get too tough!
Ask us a question
If you would like to enquire about a cycling tour as part of your next European holiday, please do get in touch! We are a small, specialist tour operator and are happy to answer any questions. You can use our contact form, give us a call, or send an email:
- fch@frenchcyclingholidays.com
- +44(0) 1923 894305