CYCLING IN FRANCE TRAINING & CLIMBING
Training advice
Andy Ross, cycling vacations manager at our supplier, Exodus:
“Do as much training as possible beforehand as the fitter you are the more you can relax during the trip and properly appreciate the experience and where you are cycling. That said, always avoid the temptation to be competitive on the trip, someone will always be the slowest rider and it really doesn’t matter if that is you. A good cycling vacation will have been designed to allow enough time for most people to complete the rides each day.”
“Do as much training as possible beforehand as the fitter you are the more you can relax during the trip and properly appreciate the experience and where you are cycling. That said, always avoid the temptation to be competitive on the trip, someone will always be the slowest rider and it really doesn’t matter if that is you. A good cycling vacation will have been designed to allow enough time for most people to complete the rides each day.”
Hill climbing advice
Although it’s tempting to tackle a 6 percent gradient in a high gear at home, in the Alps and Pyrénées, where gradients can continue over 20km, clicking into a lower gear than you might normally use will ensure you’re not wasting energy as you climb. Pacing yourself is another key component of improving hill climbing although sometimes it’s just a case of grinning and bearing it, especially when undertaking steep gradients or lengthier distances.
Eat and drink little and often when you’re cycling tougher climbs and distances and try to do so when you’re on a flattish section or cycling downhill so you can prepare your body for whatever climb might be waiting around the next bend.
Listen to your group leader as they’ll have cycled the route before and they’ll know when and where you’ll need to make the most of fuel reserves, and which gear is best suited for which climb.
Eat and drink little and often when you’re cycling tougher climbs and distances and try to do so when you’re on a flattish section or cycling downhill so you can prepare your body for whatever climb might be waiting around the next bend.
Listen to your group leader as they’ll have cycled the route before and they’ll know when and where you’ll need to make the most of fuel reserves, and which gear is best suited for which climb.
HEALTH & SAFETY
HEALTH
SAFETY
Our France cycling Vacations
Champagne biking vacation, France
Tour stunning vineyards and taste true Champagne
From
£1415 to £2685
6 days
return by train
Nouvelle Aquitaine self guided bicycling vacation, France
Idyllic cycling in France with great food, wine and company
From
€1535
6 days
ex flights
Provence self guided cycling tours, Avignon to Camargue
Provence heritage and natural beauty on full display
From
€1215 to €1665
8 days
ex flights
South of France self guided cycling tour
Provence bicycle tour to famous landmarks and villages
From
€1225 to €1495
8 days
ex flights
Loire valley center based activity vacation, France
A fantastic hotel base and day trips along the Loire by bike
From
£495 to £1435
8 days
return by train
E-bike vacation in the Loire Valley
Cruise between chateaux on our excellent e-bikes
From
£1185 to £1995
8 days
return by train
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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CYCLING IN FRANCE TRAVEL ADVICE
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful cycling in France travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your panniers.
We have selected some of the most useful cycling in France travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your panniers.
My favourite memory was cycling up to Sancerre, laden with wine I had bought at a tasting but being rewarded for the hard climb with a fantastic view from the top and later drinking the wine at dinner.![]()
– Joanna Moncrieff
“My favourite memories were built around successfully navigating our way in and out of beautiful little towns whilst being enthusiastically helped with directions and suggestions for great things to see and do by locals, even with our absolute lack of French. Local people were very accepting of us cyclists on their roads. I don't know if this was partly recognising that we do little damage to the environment on bikes.” – Jennifer Wright
“I completed 60k! I've never cycled 60k before!” – Belinda Perry
“If driving from Brittany to Nouvelle Aquitaine, allow 6/7 hours in the rural countryside via the excellent A and B roads, thereby avoiding the soulless motorways.” – Brian Flynn
“Be prepared to create as much activity or as little as you desire day-by-day. Having a car was helpful as the weather wasn't perfect so we were able to explore the area in greater depth with a vehicle on a couple of days. The suggestions for cycling as well as car touring during inclement weather days helped make it a diverse and well-rounded week.” – Christina Freeman
“The cycling was fantastic thanks to paved paths that were well-posted and not too crowded. Our route was well away from the highway and led through vineyards, small forests, along rivers and lovely quiet countryside. Take your time to enjoy the small cafés and beautiful towns. Arriving back at the B&B for 6:00 or 7:00pm still leaves time for a shower and then out to dinner.” – Karen Balter
“I completed 60k! I've never cycled 60k before!” – Belinda Perry
“If driving from Brittany to Nouvelle Aquitaine, allow 6/7 hours in the rural countryside via the excellent A and B roads, thereby avoiding the soulless motorways.” – Brian Flynn
“Be prepared to create as much activity or as little as you desire day-by-day. Having a car was helpful as the weather wasn't perfect so we were able to explore the area in greater depth with a vehicle on a couple of days. The suggestions for cycling as well as car touring during inclement weather days helped make it a diverse and well-rounded week.” – Christina Freeman
“The cycling was fantastic thanks to paved paths that were well-posted and not too crowded. Our route was well away from the highway and led through vineyards, small forests, along rivers and lovely quiet countryside. Take your time to enjoy the small cafés and beautiful towns. Arriving back at the B&B for 6:00 or 7:00pm still leaves time for a shower and then out to dinner.” – Karen Balter
Cycling up Mont Ventoux. Wow! It’s tough, very tough, but worth the effort. Particularly nice to have a really fabulous hotel at the bottom to relax afterwards.![]()
– Jane Frank
“I was traveling on my own but never felt isolated as everyone in my group was very friendly even though they were all couples apart from myself and one other lady. The tour guide, Mario, was fantastic and he certainly made the cycling so enjoyable with his care and attention and humour at all times. The crew on the boat were equally great.” – Sally Walker
“The most memorable part was cycling down quiet roads through gorgeous countryside on a sunny spring afternoon – it was terrific – helped by good weather and fine accommodation. It was nice to know that if we had any problems with the bikes there was help at hand. As it was, it all went very smoothly. Happy, happy days!” – Diana Lloyd
“We stayed at comfortable, delightful hotels and friendly guest houses, ate local produce with helpful hosts and stopped in villages to sample the wine. We also had the pleasure of efficient trains to Beaune to start the tour. The hire bikes were excellent, sturdy machines and there was technical back-up if required.” – Neil Crawley
“I loved the freedom of riding a bicycle again for the first time in 45 years in beautiful countryside, fresh air and wonderful weather.” – Victor Coleman
“The most memorable part was cycling down quiet roads through gorgeous countryside on a sunny spring afternoon – it was terrific – helped by good weather and fine accommodation. It was nice to know that if we had any problems with the bikes there was help at hand. As it was, it all went very smoothly. Happy, happy days!” – Diana Lloyd
“We stayed at comfortable, delightful hotels and friendly guest houses, ate local produce with helpful hosts and stopped in villages to sample the wine. We also had the pleasure of efficient trains to Beaune to start the tour. The hire bikes were excellent, sturdy machines and there was technical back-up if required.” – Neil Crawley
“I loved the freedom of riding a bicycle again for the first time in 45 years in beautiful countryside, fresh air and wonderful weather.” – Victor Coleman
More about France cycling
Discover the dates of the cycling season as you check out our best time to go cycling in France section with an easy to navigate temperature and rainfall chart and month by month guide as well as useful tips from our suppliers.
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.
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.
