Craving a quick cultural escape or a scenic adventure to tickle your tastebuds? Our cycling weekends throughout France have benefited from three decades of refinement. As the UK’s nearest continental neighbour, it provides ample opportunity for a quick getaway for a France cycling weekend.
Whether it’s gradually soaking up the culture and scenery of France’s picturesque countryside, savouring the local food and drink, or exploring regional specialities (wine tasting anyone?) Our France cycling weekends offer an ideal mix of eating well, exploring iconic sights and enjoying a taste of local life. Each region exudes its own local charm, ensuring a memorable weekend break for everyone.
Discover rural France as you cycle through charming villages, visiting local boulangeries and refuelling on fresh picnics bursting with local produce. Whether you want to see the vivid colours of lavender in bloom in Provence, admire the regal châteaux of the Loire Valley or taste the world-class grapes of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux, you’ll enjoy life in the slow lane while pedalling past stunning vistas with our top France cycling weekends.
The Loire, France
With scenery straight out of a fairy-tale representing centuries of history, the Loire appeals to old and young alike for its magical sights, scents and sounds. Easily accessible from the UK by train, ferry or plane, the combination of accessibility and unforgettable experiences make the Loire an ideal destination for a memorable France cycling weekend. Today the Loire is one of the most popular cycling destinations in the world, thanks to an excellent network of cycle routes, easy terrain and endless list of sites to see, and our tours offer several options to explore.
Immaculate gardens and well-preserved castles complete with moats have been the playground to the French and English royal families for over 1,000 years. Warm breezes filled with the smell of roses and ripening melons will tickle your senses, enticing you to stop on impulse for wine tasting in tiny vineyards. Create your own story as you meander through riverside towns, while sampling some of the world’s most famous wines on our Châteaux of the Loire Tour.
Our Loire in Luxury short break is the crème de la crème of our Loire experiences, offering luxury accommodation over three nights in captivating châteaux to complement the aristocratic heritage of the region. Linger in the magnificent gardens of Château de Villandry; meander through countryside punctuated by riverside cycleways and lanes bordered with vineyards, and admire the graceful châteaux. You’ll sleep like royalty in château hotels, sample world-class wines at Samur, Chinon and Bourgueil and be dazzled by the gothic architecture of Fontevraud Abbey.Â
The magical region of the Loire is world-famous for its châteaux, magnificent rivers and delicious wines.
The magical region of Loire; world-famous for its marvellous châteaux, magnificent rivers, delicious wines and fabulous cycling holidays, of course!
Provence, France
The region of Provence covers a large area of France in the south east of the country, from the French Riviera in the south, to the Alps in the north, and west to Marseille and the Camargue. Provence is famed as one of Europe’s most iconic regions thanks to its mix of spectacular scenery, rich history, vibrant cultural identity and exquisite food and drink. With easy access via flights to Marseilles, Avignon and Nimes or trains via Paris, it makes it an ideal choice for a France cycling weekend.
Glide up to stunning hilltop towns such as Gordes and Roussillon, and traverse the Luberon valley and Côtes du Ventoux. From the heritage and architecture of Avignon to hilltop villages, fragrant lavender fields and emerald green freshwater springs, be prepared to fall in love with Provence.
Explore the Côtes du Rhône by pedal power and sample some of the region’s finest landscapes, most charming towns and most delectable wines. Located in Provence, the largest wine region in the south of France, follow the Rhône river from Lyon to Avignon and beyond. The highlights of this tour include the spectacular scenery of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards and the city of Avignon, with its rich history as a seat of power for the Catholic Church. This is the perfect France cycling weekend for oenophiles and history buffs alike.
Explore Provence with ease on this E-Bike tour and glide up to the stunning hilltop towns of Gordes and Roussillon whilst soaking up the sights sounds and sensations as you pedal.
Explore the Côtes du Rhône by pedal power and sample some of the region’s finest landscapes, most charming towns and most delectable wines.
Bordeaux, France
Wines, vines, and sunshine are three excellent reasons to explore Bordeaux, and there’s no better way than by bike. Bordeaux in France is less than a two hour flight from London, making it an easy quick escape for a sun-kissed cycling weekend. This ambling tour provides varied scenery and numerous stops to admire medieval villages and prime vineyards. For those with a sweet tooth, the opportunity to savour wines made from the rare white grapes of Sauternes is unmissable, whilst hidden gems such as the village of St Croix de Mont complement cycling along the Garonne and over the River Dordogne.
Sample the produce of the Chateau des Fines Roches wine estate, soak up the cycle-centric atmosphere of charming Bedoin and explore the contemporary culture and rich history of Avignon.
This luxury cycling tour explores the city of Bordeaux, one of France’s best-kept cycling secrets; from its thriving cultural centre to the sand, sun and seafood of Arcachon Bay.
Champagne, France
A region rich with culture, sights, and wine, explore Champagne on one of our cycling weekends in France. Located in the vibrant north west of France, Champagne boasts lush vineyards and an exquisite countryside. The towns here are beautiful too, with Reims and Epernay being the most famous. A Champagne holiday is the perfect cycling weekend destination in France for a food and wine lover, with Champagne Houses offering a taste of their delicious wines. The crayères (chalk wine cellars) are the region’s trademark wine storage tradition, and we highly recommend a tour of them. Reims in particular houses huge crayères large enough to be declared national monuments. You’ll get the chance to visit them on our Taste of Champagne tour.
A cycling weekend in France would not be complete without exploring the charming French countryside. Villages hugged by vineyards and forests amongst sun-drenched hills are a common and beautiful sight here. If our Leisurely Cycling in Champagne tour tickles your fancy, you’ll have a point of call in Hautvillers, a peaceful village and a wine making pilgrimage site.
Indulge yourself with delicious wines and stunning scenery with a Champagne cycling holiday, through charming vineyards and grand cities.
Explore the sophisticated and charming region of Champagne, cycling to Cathedral cities and past sprawling vineyards.
For more recommendations on the best destinations for your France cycling weekend, give us a call on 020 7471 7760.