Escape the crowds: Three journeys through France’s least touristy regions

How to get "off the beaten track" on your next visit to France

If you’re a traveller who has already ticked off Paris and the French Riviera and fancy delving into France's more authentic side, away from the most touristy hotspots, here are three alternative destinations for your next French holiday:

  1. Mont Aigoual and The Cévennes 
  2. Atlantic Coast, Cognac and La Rochelle
  3. Burgundy’s wine-making area

Why and how to escape France’s tourist hot spots?

France is without doubt, utterly enchanting – the culture, the architecture, the history, the art, the wine, the food, the landscapes, the je ne sais quoi… And that’s why this incomparably charming country tops the list of most-visited travel destinations in the world. The drawback of course, being that the most famous places uncomfortably busy at certain times of the year.

So if you’re a traveller who prefers a little peace and quiet on your well-earned vacation, how can you experience the best of France whilst giving the most obvious places a wide berth?

Having lived and breathed "France" from pounding its excellent cycle paths over the last few decades, we have a tip or two up our sleeves...

  • Go out of season. That’s why we travel to the Med in May, and Provence in September. They are GORGEOUS places to visit, and really must be on your bucket list, but you’ll appreciate them a whole lot more out of peak holiday season in August.
  • See the sights, but use insider info:
    - Fancy the Louvre? Book an early morning ticket, or skip it altogether and see Monet at the Musée de l’Orangerie instead.
    - Always wanted to go up the Eiffel Tower? Choose the steps instead of queuing for the lift
    - Try Mont St Michel at dusk, just as everyone else is leaving.
    - Likewise, Carcassonne in the evening is much more atmospheric. 
    - If Provence’s lavender fields are on your list – sneak in before the crowds and go in June.
  • Seek out the alternatives. If you fancy experiencing Mont St Michel but can’t bear crowds, get your fill of maritime history in St Malo. Keen on seeing Monet's Giverny? How about exploring Van Gogh's stay at the Sanitorium of Saint Paul de la Mausole in St-Rémy-de-Provence. And if you have a penchant for eating oysters by the sea as the sun goes down in St Tropez, swap the glitz for the more authentic allure of the Ile de Ré on the Atlantic Coast. 
  • Get on your bike! OK so you can’t cycle up the Eiffel Tower, but many of France’s top sights are outdoors: the dramatic gorges, the beautiful coastline, the rivers, the medieval villages… And the very best way to experience them is not from a car or bus window, but out in the fresh air, on a bicycle (e-bike or not, it’s up to you!)

The French walled city of Carcassonne at sunset
Carcassonne in the evening light is truly enchanting. And a little quieter than during the daytime! Credit: Alain Bonnardeaux

I like the idea of seeing authentic France, but I don’t speak French...

Intrepid explorers may be happy to organise their itinerary and routes, research restaurants and hotels and sort tickets and reservations for activities, but might be nervous about navigating websites and phone calls in French. So why do all that hard work when we could do it for you?

The beauty of choosing a French Cycling Holiday tour is that (as our slogan says!): “All you have to do is pedal”. With our years of experience and insider knowledge, we know some wonderful routes, charmingly French hotels, exceptional restaurants, friendly wine producers and importantly, the best time to visit.

All that, and interpreting and translating as we go... So you can trust us to make your holiday perfect and hassle-free as we explore the French countryside together and you fall head over heels with "the real France"!

Three of France’s least touristy destinations

Here are three of our guided cycle tours that will take you away from the busiest places and give you a glimpse into authentic, lesser-known France: vast and rugged, full of history, charm and delicious food and drink:

  1. Mont Aigoual and The Cévennes - a secret side to France 

Remote, dramatic and wild, the Cévennes region is home to rare wildlife and plants, which go relatively undisturbed by tourists and traffic, even in summer months. Designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Cévennes national park is home to beautiful orchids, tasty mushrooms and ancient forest. Wolves, wild boar and otter make the forest floor their playground, whilst eagle owls, peregrine falcons and griffon vultures soar above the tree canopy.

Exploring this bewitching region on two wheels is by far the best way to get the fully sensory experience, and follow on the trail of Robert Louis Stevenson in his Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes. The sights, sounds and smells of this tour will stay ingrained in your soul for years to come.

Discover the Cévennes guided cycle tour

rustic stone houses with Mont Lozère in the background in Cevennes, France
Rustic stone houses among the forests of the Cévennes region in France. Credit: snap-wander

  1. An alternative to the Riviera: France’s Atlantic Coast

Salt-sprayed and rugged, France’s westerly coast paints a vastly different picture to the glossy, see-and-be-seen glamour of the infamous French Riviera. As well as having long, golden sandy beaches and invigorating waves, the Atlantic also exudes a more authentic coastal culture, with its clinking fishing boats and rich maritime heritage.

The Mediterranean coast is undisputed as a top destination for lounging and lingering, but the Atlantic has a fresher and more vibrant feel. Everyone is busy here, from water sports to buzzing harbour life, there’s plenty to see as you cycle down the wonderful Vélodyssey cycle path.

Learn more about cycling on France's Atlantic Coast

Photo of La Rochelle, France's Atlantic coast, in the evening with boats in the harbour
La Rochelle is a buzzing harbour town on the Atlantic Coast, and makes an interesting alternative to the Med. Image: Karim Manjra

  1. Burgundy: terroir on two wheels

Whilst Burgundy’s place names may be extremely familiar to confirmed vinophiles – Nuits St Georges, Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-les-Beaune, Vosne Romanee – visiting these legendary wine-making villages on two wheels offers a second-to-none experience which can only enhance your appreciation of these iconic wines.

Pedalling around these world-renowned vineyards you will see the real agricultural side to one of the world’s capitals of wine, cruising by pinot noir and chardonnay grapes ripening in the sun and admiring the endless rolling vineyards dotted with medieval farmhouses and rustic chapels.

And what’s more, dining and sipping the local produce is even more of a pleasure, having worked up a hunger and thirst on your bike!

See our guided cycle tour route around Burgundy's wine region

A cyclist by a chateau in Burgundy, France
Cycling past beautiful medieval chateaux in Burgundy, you can't not stop for a picture! 

Ask us a question about guided cycle tours in France

We hope you are tantalised by the idea of delving into France's less travelled regions. If you have questions about the riding, what to pack, how fit you need to be or whether e-bikes are an option, don't hesitate to ask. Here's how you can get in touch with us: