Our beautiful country abounds in magnificent landscapes to explore on foot, by car or by bike. Ocean or sea shores, city rides, country excursions, lakeside detours. .. we take a look – “à bicycletteeuuuhh”, as Yves Montand would say – at five magnificent bike rides to do in France, discovering the most beautiful cycle paths.
Of course, if some routes require several days’ travel, feel free to adapt/shorten them as you see fit, according to your level! And for those who would like to go further, don’t miss our top 50 most beautiful destinations where to go this summer in France.
1. From Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea
The ViaRhôna (because it runs along the Rhône) is a signposted cycle route that takes you from Alpine Geneva to sunny Sète. You will pass through the cities of Lyon vienne and Avignon, and see the magnificent landscapes of Provence and the Camargue.
🚴♀️ ViaRhôna : more | Route : 700km | Estimated duration: 7 to 10 days
2. From Paris to Versailles
Do you have the soul of a city dweller or do you need a good dose of historical heritage? Thanks to this walk through the Coulée Verte d’Essonne and the Versailles state forest, you can enjoy a well-deserved breath of fresh air while staying connected to the nearby city.
🚴♀️ Paris-Versailles : more | Route : 20km | Estimated duration: approx. 2h-2h30
3. The Bay of Arcachon & the Dune du Pilat
Are you dreaming of a bike ride by the ocean, as the waves and winds blow? You’ll find this poetic break on a cycling loop starting from the sublime Dune du Pilat (Europe’s highest dune!) and cycle through the towns of Arcachon and La-Teste-de-Buch . Are you full of energy? Extend your route to Bordeaux !
🚴♀️ Arcachon-Dune du Pilat : more | Route : 25km | Estimated duration: half day
4. The Canal du Midi
If you’re looking for peace and quiet (but also nature and medieval villages), we definitely recommend a cycling trip along the famous Canal du Midi. At a rate of 4-5 hours of cycling per day, it will take you about four days to reach from its departure point Toulouse (Port de l’Embouchure) to its jetty in the Bassin de Thau at Sète.
🚴♀️ Canal du Midi : calculate your journey here | Route (Toulouse-Sète) : 240km | Estimated duration: 3 to 5 days
5. La Vélomaritime de Bretagne
With no less than 9 cycle paths, three-quarters of which have been developed, Brittany is definitely the place to be pedaling this summer. With its network of canals, rivers, old railroad lines and forest paths, Brittany boasts 800 km of cycle routes, 500 of which are car-free! Our favorite is n°4, known as “la Vélomaritime”, which runs along the Côtes d’Armor, from Finistère to Mont-St-Michel via St-Malo..
🚴♀️ La Vélomaritime : more | Route : 430km | Estimated duration: 5 to 7 days
Bonus: the Piste des Forts d’Alsace
Follow the trails of the “Ceinture des Forts ” in the heart of a journey combining nature and heritage, from the Vosges to the gates of Germany, with a loop starting in Strasbourg. The Piste des Forts consists of 19 structures built by the Prussians following the 1870 war. You’ll find the former forts of Rapp, Kléber and Ney in the midst of bucolic landscapes!
🚴♀️ La Piste des Forts : more more | Route : 85km | Estimated duration: between 1 and 2 days
Are there any other scenic bike tours in France you’d like to share with us? Do it on our Facebook or our Instagram using the hashtag #bordeauxsecret!
© Cover photo: David Marcu.