Best time to go cycling in France

2 min summary Best time to go Map & highlights Types Raid Pyrenean Burgundy Provence Mont Ventoux Chateau to chateau Loire Valley Tips See all our France guides

BEST TIME TO GO CYCLING IN FRANCE

Cycle either side of summer for comfortable conditions in south and central France, but always pack waterproofs, and extra layers for the evenings, especially in the Alps.

The cycling season is mid-Apr to mid-Oct, although higher up, in the Alps for example, it’s mid-May to Sept to avoid the snow. Summers south of Burgundy and the Loire can get very hot with things coming to a head in July as roads close in the Pyrénées for the Tour de France. In general, the best time to cycle in France is either side of Jul-Aug. The best thing about an organised vacations is you get information on the weather and what's open locally, rather than finding roadside restaurants and entire villages closed, even during the plat de jour hours of 11am to 1pm.

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Our France cycling Vacations

Cycling in France, month by month

November, December, January, February and March see snow in the higher regions and colder conditions and rain across the rest of the country – this is not the best time for a cycling vacation in France. While you can book a tailor made, self guided tour at any time of year, the majority of small group cycling vacations will run from the middle of May through to the middle of October. If you’re hoping to cycle in the Alps or along the Pyrénées, for instance, the cycling season usually starts a little later than the rest of the country with late May, June and September recommend months to tackle the cols. July and August are often too hot to cycle in the south or way too busy, with the Tour de France and French folks heading off on their hols making summer cycling something of a headache. Bastille Day on July 14th also brings things to a standstill. September, however, is sublime with comfortable temperatures across the board although rain macs will start to get used with more frequency. October is all about the autumnal colour changes. Numerous harvest fêtes held in provincial towns and villages across France will help cyclists fill their saddle bags that should also, by now, feature a few extra layers for the evening.

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Bruno Toutain from our cycling vacation supplier, Cyclomundo, shares his best time to cycle in France: “We highly recommend cycling off-season in France. May, June and September are ideal. Not only are riders likely to experience bike-friendly weather across the country, but they'll also find an even more relaxing environment with fewer cars on the roads and less hurried hotel managers and innkeepers. Also, if cycling in a wine-making region in September, you’re much more likely to see the processes relating to wine making including grape-picking and parades of tractors taking their loads to the press.”

More about France cycling

Cycling in France travel guide

Our cycling in France travel guide aims to open up the quiet country lanes, the coastline and the waterways of the westerly and central regions as well as the peaks and cols of the Pyrénées and the Alps.

Where to cycle in France

France is vast so you’d be wise to peruse our cycling in France map & highlights guide so as to make the most of your time in one of Europe’s richest and most varied cultural and naturally beautiful countries.

Types of cycling vacations in France

Although riding a bike is somewhat easy, and unforgettable, there are numerous types of cycling vacations in France to help you decide upon an experience to suit you down to the ground.

Raid Pyrenean cycling vacations

This coast to coast challenge isn’t for everyone and you'd best do your homework before signing up to an eight-day vacation leading from Atlantic swells to the rippling Med via the peaks, cols and scintillating scenery of the Pyrénées.

Cycling vacations in Burgundy

Beautiful Burgundy is one of France’s favourite regions for cyclists with hundreds of rural roads and greenway routes adding to the tranquility of pootling along a tow path on the banks of the Burgundy Canal.

Cycling in Provence

Discover the irresistibly charming landscapes and communities that have inspired everyone from Vincent Van Gogh to Peter Mayle when you go cycling in Provence.

Mont Ventoux weekend

The beast, the giant, call it what you will; the ascent of Mont Ventoux has been firmly cemented in cycling lore.

Chateau to chateau cycling

With a succession of monumental renaissance palaces and medieval masterpieces lining the Loire Valley, what better way to explore than on a chateau to chateau cycling vacation.

Loire Valley cycling highlights

Less of an athletic endeavour, more a gentle way to explore the châteaux, vineyards and cuisine of France’s Valley of the Kings, Loire Valley cycling vacations are the epitome of active relaxation.

Cycling in France training & climbing

We’ve hand-picked some key tips from our friends in France to ensure that when you undertake a cycling vacation here you can do it with the utmost care and confidence - it's as easy as riding a bike.

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Written by Chris Owen

Best time to go cycling in France