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.
Cycling in France, month by month
Our France cycling Vacations
Nouvelle Aquitaine self guided bicycling vacation, France
Idyllic cycling in France with great food, wine and company
From
€1535
6 days
ex flights
Loire Valley cycling vacation, France
Discover the Loire valley and it's iconic châteaux by bike
From
£975 to £1935
8 days
ex flights
Geneva to Lyon self guided cycling vacation, France
Cycle along the Rhône River from Geneva to Lyon.
From
€830 to €865
6 days
ex flights
Loire Valley luxury cycling vacation
Cycle like a softie and sleep like a king
From
£1175 to £2275
7 days
ex flights
Provence self guided cycling vacation, gastronomic
Discover Provence's renowned cuisine and hidden gems by bike
From
€1170 to €1290
8 days
ex flights
Burgundy self guided cycling tours, France
Cycle through beautiful Burgundy & taste exquisite wines
From
€995 to €1075
8 days
ex flights
Our top France cycling Vacation
Nouvelle Aquitaine self guided bicycling vacation, France
Idyllic cycling in France with great food, wine and company
From
€1535
6 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about France cycling or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Responsible Travel recommends
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover the irresistibly charming landscapes and communities that have inspired everyone from Vincent Van Gogh to Peter Mayle when you go cycling in Provence.
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.
The beast, the giant, call it what you will; the ascent of Mont Ventoux has been firmly cemented in cycling lore.
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.
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.
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.
