We visited in Jan-Feb 2026. The trip includes interesting visits to a number of major palaces, forts and temples, and of course the fantastic Taj Mahal, but our key memory will be the chaos and cacophony of the traffic and the enthusiastic waving of the villagers as we passed along the country lanes. Our leaders took excellent care of us, enabling us to navigate our way around safely, whether on foot or by bike. Expect appalling road surfaces, litter strewn verges, and constant hooting, but expect also wide smiles, vibrant saris and a glimpse into a very different way of life to our own. I was worried about getting ill, but only one person in our group of 10 got a tummy bug (lasted 24 hours). One person came off their bicycle in a low speed collision in a village centre, with no harm done.
Cycling Holidays France
Cycling Holidays in France
Top 5 Destinations for Cycling France
Loire Valley: The Loire Valley is renowned for its fairytale castles, lush vineyards and scenic riverside cycling paths. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to over 800 castles, each with its own unique charm and fascinating history to uncover. As you ride along the Loire River, explore the charming villages, rolling hills and historic towns that pepper the landscape. Stop off at the famous Château de Chambord or the romantic Château de Chenonceau to delve into France’s royal past. The Loire Valley also boasts world-class wineries where you can sample the region’s famous wines, such as Sancerre and Vouvray.
Corsica: The island of Corsica is home to a rugged and wild landscape that provides a thrilling backdrop for cycling in France. With its dramatic cliffs, emerald waters and winding mountain roads, Corsica is a paradise for anyone seeking a challenge. The island’s diverse terrain includes everything from challenging mountain climbs to gentler coastal routes, making it suitable for riders of all levels. Explore the historic town of Bonifacio perched on limestone cliffs, pedal through the dense forests of the interior or enjoy a leisurely ride along the sandy beaches of Porto-Vecchio.
Dordogne: The Dordogne region in southwestern France boasts the most beautiful countryside, strewn with charming villages and prehistoric caves. Cycling through the Dordogne Valley, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of green rolling hills, meandering rivers and lush forests. Visit the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda with its cobblestone streets and imposing architecture or pedal along the Dordogne River past fairytale castles and vineyards. The region is also a paradise for foodies, with its famous foie gras, truffles and walnuts. Don’t miss a visit to the Lascaux caves to see ancient cave paintings dating back thousands of years.
Provence: Provence is one of the most scenic regions for cycling France, known for its sublime landscapes, colourful markets and sleepy hilltop villages. Riding through Provence, you’ll encounter fields of lavender in full bloom, olive groves stretching to the horizon and vineyards that produce world-class wines. Explore the quaint villages of Fontaine-de- Vaucluse and Roussillon perched on rocky outcrops or explore the ruined castle of Lacoste. Provence’s sun-drenched countryside, delicious cuisine and vibrant culture give you a true taste of the authentic French way of life.
Burgundy: Located in eastern France, Burgundy is renowned for its vineyards, historic sites and pretty canals. As you ride through Burgundy, you’ll pass through charming villages such as Beaune, famous for its hospices and fine wines. Explore the vine-covered hills of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, where some of the world’s most prestigious wines are produced. Pedal among the wine villages of Oeuilly and Fleury la Rivière en route to Hautvillers, where the Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, once worked. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to sample the famous red wines, such as Burgundy, Chambolle Musigny and Vosne Romanée.
Pippa Dickinson Cycling Through Rajasthan
Claire Wood Cycle the Back Roads of Sri LankaFrom start to finish, the trip felt thoughtfully curated rather than just ‘planned’. Routes flowed naturally through coastal roads, lush tea country, and quiet village back roads, giving a real sense of Sri Lanka’s contrasts in a relatively short time. There was a balance between time on the bike and cultural stops. Suresh chose routes that avoided the worst of the traffic and heat, favouring early starts, stops in small towns you’d never find on your own, favouring up-to-date routes. One day your riding past rice paddies and temples, the next you’re winding through ‘undulating’ tea plantations with cooler air and big views, constantly changing scenery, friendly faces at every tea stop and what incredibly tasting tea it was.
Suresh our guide set a clear standard of safety:maintained bikes, clear hand signals, calm, confident road positioning around buses, tuktuks, and the dogs. Hydration and breaks were planned at sensible pauses.
Suresh gave depth of local knowledge wherever we were and each stop became a mini-lesson in history, religion, food, wildlife: you never felt rushed away from a conversation with a local or from a viewpoint. His love for his country shone through as we too fell in love with their country.
FAQs on Cycling in France
When choosing cycling holidays in France it’s important to consider the activity level of the trip. These can range from leisurely and moderate to challenging and depending on the level you select, you can expect various types of terrains, from the mountainous backdrops of Provence to the coastal routes of Normandy.
Depending on which area you visit, the weather can vary but during the summer months, you’ll usually enjoy long, sunny days with warm temperatures.On our self-guided cycling holidays in France, you’ll ride among stunning scenery at your own pace following GPS routes, stopping off at charming villages and towns to experience the local culture and cuisine.
How long do you want to be in the saddle? Our cycling tours in France run from four to nine days including flights, with a mix of leisurely routes to lay back on and trickier options to put your legs to the test. You could spend four days climbing one of the Tour de France’s iconic mountains, or double that time gently pedalling through the villages and vineyards of Burgundy.
The majority of our fantastic cycling holidays in France are self-guided, giving you the freedom to step on and off as you wish with our detailed route notes in hand. We’ll still arrange for your luggage transfers if you’re moving from base to base.
On the whole, France enjoys good weather conditions from April to October. To avoid the crowds, cycling in France is best on either side of July and August as this is peak season, and also the temperatures can rise considerably in the south, making riding conditions uncomfortable.
Blessed with diverse, unspoilt landscapes that form heavenly backdrops to cycling holidays in France, this is a fabulous country that has lots to offer. Explore the lush vineyard regions such as Burgundy, Chablis and Cotes du Rhone where you can cycle along tranquil country lanes sampling world-famous wines en route, or ride past the sweet-scented lavender fields of Provence and discover traditional French villages that cling to the hillsides. Brittany is a breath of fresh air with its winding coastal roads that present you with awesome views and lead you to historical sites.
As with all our Exodus trips, your safety is paramount, and we ensure that every destination and route we plan is safe for cycling in France. Throughout your self-guided tour, our team is on hand to answer any questions and you’ll be provided with route directions and maps and local emergency numbers prior to your departure. We always provide you with high-quality bikes that are checked thoroughly before your arrival so you can rest assured and book with confidence.
As well as steering you to beautiful places, our cycling holidays in France are carefully designed to take you off the beaten track where you can experience local culture and explore the areas that you wouldn’t otherwise see. Renowned for its famous wines and traditional dishes such as beef bourguignon and coq au vin, France is as easy on the palate as it is on the eyes.
We make sure that you enjoy the vibrant flavours of each region, so you get a real taste for the local French culture. Our team works hard behind the scenes to plan the best routes and provide you with the most accurate maps and trip notes. We also ensure that your luggage is transferred to each of the accommodations ahead of your arrival.
Are you feeling ready to don your cycling attire for the ride of a lifetime? Speak to our experienced cycling experts today to get the wheels in motion.
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