Cycle route through the wine region of the Alsace.
Cycling in France, and sleeping in bed & breakfasts: the perfect recipe for a lovely, sportive holiday! France has a dense network of cycling routes, and you can always spend the night in a bed & breakfast, chambres d’hôtes or gîte nearby. Here are a few tips for an unforgettable cycling holiday in Normandy and the Alsace region.
Cultural cycling tour through Normandy
Experience the magnificent landscapes and cultural heritage of Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy on your bike, for example by following these three cycling routes:
- From Paris to the Mont Saint-Michel (420 km)
The Véloscénie starts in the heart of Paris, where you cycle along all the highlights of the capital. In Manche, the route leads through orchards and picturesque villages such as Decey. Highlight is the Mont Saint Michel peninsula.
- Normandy Côté Nature (230 km)
Starting points of this cycling route are two famous landing beaches from World War Two: ‘Utah Beach’ in Manche and ‘Gold Beach’ in the Calvados. The route leads along highlights such as Carentan, the swamps of Cotentin, and the valley of the river Vire.
- Petit Tour de Manche (470 km)
Cycle route ‘Petit tour de Manche‘ leads via the harbour of Cherbourg, along the medieval castles of Bricquebec, and Saint-Sauveur-Le-Vicomte… With a British-French side-trip to the channel island of Jersey!
Cycle route through the wine region of the Alsace (170 km)
The ‘Véloroute du Vignoble d’Alsace’ leads along picturesque villages, spectacular landscapes, rolling vineyards and cultural heritage. A selection of the many highlights: fortified village Wangen, the picturesque town of Barr, Renaissance village Mittelbergheim, the three castles of Ribeaupierre in Ribeauville and Colmar; the cosy, pleasant wine capital of the Alsace.
Cycling in Lyon
Did you know that Lyon has a cheap public bicycle service called Vélo’V? It allows you to pick up and drop cycles to and over three hundred points around the city. A great way to explore Lyon! There’s an increasing number of safe cycling routes, but keep in mind that there are two hills with steep slopes. After a day of cycling and exploring you’ll want to relax and rest. No problem in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France! Enjoy a delicious meal in one of the numerous fantastic restaurants in the city. And get a good night’s sleep in one of the many charming bed and breakfasts in Lyon. For more touristic tips about Lyon, check Essential Travel’s Magazine.
Staying the night in France
Whichever part of France you are cycling through, you will find charming bed & breakfasts and chambres d’hôtes to stay the night. In all of France, you can bring your bicycle on the train (disassembled or not), making transportation less of an issue. You can find the best B&B’s for your trip on Bedandbreakfast.eu. Book directly with the B&B-owner and you won’t have to pay any reservation costs! Go to Bedandbreakfast.eu >>
