ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS CYCLING & WALKING
OU À PIED À VÉLO
Whatever your age and ability, it’s easy to explore France at close quarters, on two wheels or by foot
F
ew international sporting events grip any nation in quite such a way as the annual Tour de France. Spectators line the route to cheer the peloton over high mountain passes and through countless picturesque villages, while those who can’t be
there share the atmosphere on TV and radio. This year’s Tour starts on 4 July, but you don’t need to be a
'Wiggins Wannabe' to enjoy cycling beyond the Channel. The French take two-wheeled sport very seriously at all levels. So forget Lycra shorts, mountain bends and coloured jerseys. In France you’ll see just as many cyclists pedalling peacefully en famille through vineyards and along tow paths or forest trails. So if you love cycling but don’t like the traffic at home, take a look at France’s enviable network of marked routes. There’s something to suit everyone, from long distance trails to local loops. Look out for 'voies vertes' (green lanes), a national network of gentle, surfaced trails that are free of motor traffic and often follow disused railway lines, and 'véloroutes' which require cars to keep to a strict speed limit.
EASY ROLLING… It couldn’t be easier to take your own bikes to France by ferry. Cyclists board before cars, wherever possible, and bikes are firmly secured so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the crossing. Brittany Ferries even have a dedicated cycling section on their website. Once you arrive, watch out for bike-friendly accommodation sporting Logis de France’s 'Acceuil Vélo' designation, which signals bike storage and washing facilities.
36 FRENCH HOLIDAY Inspirations 2015
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Above: France is all geared up for cyclists with trails and marked routes all over the country – enjoy the view!
IMAGE: © CRTB
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