At Hooked On Cycling & Walking, our cycling holidays in France combine beautiful scenery, incredible art and culture, with stunning cycling pathways and routes that explore the length and breadth of one of the world’s most breathtaking and historic countries. In this helpful guide, we provide you with in-depth information on why choosing a cycling tour in France could prove to be the perfect destination for the entire family.
Cycling Holidays In France | Hooked On Cycling & Walking
Offering a wide variety of cycling tours, exploring everything from historic cities, to southern coastlines and snowy mountain peaks, perfect for solo rides, couples holidays and experiences for the whole family, Hooked On Cycling & Walking provides an incredible range of Cycling Holidays In France. Having made a significant commitment to cycling, cycle routes and networks across the entire country, self-guided cycling holidays in France have become increasingly popular for friends, family and couples alike.
Below; we provide further information on some of our most popular and exciting self-guided cycling holidays in France, from Normandy to Bordeaux, Toulouse and beyond.
Normandy Discovery
Duration: 7 nights
Difficulty: Level 2-3
Tour Type: Self-Guided
Availability: Saturdays, or Mondays from April to October, (other days with a supplement).
Location: Bayeux
Kicking off in the famous town of Bayeaux, home to the historic Bayeux Tapestry, a near 70-metre long embroidered cloth that depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066 AD, our Normandy Discovery Cycling Tour is perfect for the historian in all of us.
Taking you from Bayeux in the west, then heading eastwards towards Rouen, this Normandy Cycling Holiday will offer beautiful landscapes, stunning architecture, breathtaking museums, delicious cheeses and wines, and, of course, the famous beaches of Normandy where allied forces landed on that fateful June morning of 1944.
Burgundy Wine Trails Of France
Duration: 6 Nights
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Tour Type: Self Guided
Availability: April-October (Daily)
Location: Beaune
Taking you through the stunning towns of Pouilly Fuisse, Saint-Veran, Givry, Santenay, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard and more, as you pass through the Vineyards of Burgundy, this self-guided cycling tour is perfect for those looking to absorb and appreciate the local culture, accommodation and scenery.
A quiet, beautiful cycling tour for wine and art lovers alike, our Burgundy Wine Trails Of France Tour is a must for anyone seeking to appreciate the natural beauty of this beautiful part of France.
Canal De La Garonne, Bordeaux To Toulouse
Duration: 6 Nights (11 Night Option – Garonne Plus Canal du Midi)
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Tour Type: Self-Guided
Availability: 15th April-15th October (Daily)
Location: Bordeaux
A waterway in the southwest of the country, the Canal De La Garonne was opened in 1856 to bypass the river Garonne running from Bordeaux to Toulouse. This self-guided cycling holiday in France takes you from the historic wine city of Bordeaux, where you can cycle on the safe, family-friendly marked cycleway all the way to Toulouse. Along this journey, you will experience a quieter slice of life, as you cycle along mostly car-free routes, soaking in the south France countryside.
At Hooked On Cycling & Walking, our Canal De La Garonne, Bordeaux To Toulouse tour can be experienced for 11 days, as you connect with the Canal du Midi, heading toward Southern France and finishing at the lagoon of Etang de Thau, at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.
Carcassonne, Languedoc & The Cathar Castles
Duration: 6 Nights
Difficulty: Level 2
Tour Type: Self-Guided
Availability: Not Available In 2022
Location: Carcassonne
One for the historian, our Carcassonne, Languedoc and The Cathar Castles Cycling Tour is a wonderful cycling holiday in France that explores the south-west region of Languedoc.
Starting out in the mediaeval town of Carcassonne, you will soon cycle along the Canal du Midi across the rough southern region of the Languedoc, encountering breathtaking landscapes, quiet roads, incredible vineyards and mystic Cathar castles. This region is famed for its history, with the Cathar castles built to protect followers of Catharism in the twelfth century still standing to this day.
As you pass these historic castles, you will also discover deserted-like roads through dream villages, cycle alongside gurgling rivers and visit the gastronomic destination of Limoux, known as the town of sparkling wines.
Castles Of The Dordogne
Duration: 7 Nights
Difficulty: Level 2-3
Tour Type: Self-Guided
Availability: 1st April-15th October (Daily)
Location: Gourdon
Starting in Gourdon, this self-guided cycling tour in France’s Dordogne region is an ideal location, featuring incredible history dating back to the 12th century. As you encounter incredible sights such as sandstone fortified villages, ancient castles and churches, alongside incredible scenery, prehistoric caves and luscious forestry, you’ll immerse yourself in the romance of the area. With so much to explore, this quiet cycling tour will also offer plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the view.
Cycling through the backdrop of luscious green woods and forests, alongside major river valleys, our Castles Of The Dordogne Tour explores the Dordogne region famed for its incredible scenery and illustrious history.
Cycling Tours In France | Why Choose France?
France is home to some of the most incredible food, art, culture and wine the world over, but is also home to some of the best and safest cycle routes in Europe. Below, we outline some of the key reasons why choosing cycling holidays in France could be the perfect cycling holiday destination, for you, your partner or the whole family.
Food
From fine dining and world-famous patisserie to delicious street market sweet treats such as crepes and macaroons, France is undoubtedly a food lover’s dream destination! Encounter seafood on the coasts of Brittany, incredible Coq au Vin and Beef Bourguignon in Burgundy and the Atlantic Coast, wherever you choose to cycle in France, the food is always sure to be superior.
Wine
Nothing says France quite like wine. No matter where you go, or what budget you have, wine is always accessible in this particular part of the world, offering an incredible variety of local wines to choose from. No matter where you are, a vineyard is never too far away, with almost all restaurants and local supermarkets offering wine for far less than the cost of a typical soft drink!
Culture
Absorb the incredible culture of France as you explore local markets, experience local delicacies like foie gras and delicious cheeses as you embrace French life up close and personal, and discover wonderful new adventures around every corner. Visit museums, art galleries, churches and incredible castles as you soak in the rich history and culture of this incredible country.
Safe & Scenic
With incredible infrastructure to support the immaculate views, France is a bike rider’s paradise. Having recently committed to expand the bicycle network and routes throughout France, car-free bike paths, (known as voie verte), have begun to pop up across the entire country. With close to 3,000km of flat, safe, marked routes all on quiet country roads with incredible scenery, these cycle routes are perfect for the whole family.
Hooked On Cycling – Cycling Tours In Normandy and Across France
Looking for a Cycling Holiday in Normandy? At Hooked on Cycling & Walking, we’re proud to offer the best range of Cycling Holidays in France and beyond, as well as walking holidays designed to suit everyone – whether you are a beginner looking to explore the outdoor world or an experienced cyclist or walker craving a challenge. The UK and Europe are home to some of the most beautiful locations in the world, Europe offers stunning landscapes and unparalleled history taking the traveller back centuries.
A self-guided holiday simply means that we organise all the important information you need such as routes and accommodation, but you have free reign while you’re on the trip without unnecessary interference. If you’re interested in cycling holidays in Normandy and across France, book with us today.
