The best of France, in one ride. Stunning gorges, medieval towns, riverside trails, châteaux, cathedrals… and km upon km of quiet country lanes.
From the Channel at Saint Malo to the Mediterranean at Nice, this route is designed to avoid traffic while taking in the sights. You’ll ride through scenic favourites like the Lot valley, the Tarn gorges and the lavender fields of Provence. But you’ll also take in virtually unknown highlights of la France profonde and a clutch of roads, beloved of local cyclists, that don’t appear in any guidebook.
France has invested heavily in rural cycle routes in recent years, and this route makes best use of them. Much of the ride follows EuroVelo routes or France’s national véloroutes, including brand new cycleways along the Lot valley and through the Ardeche.
We’ve absolutely loved researching, riding and writing up this route – it’s some of the most enjoyable cycling we’ve ever done. We hope you find it just as enjoyable.
We took 17 days. Three or more weeks would give more sightseeing time plus the occasional respite day. You could do it in 14 days at a pinch, but might need to spend more time on main roads to short-circuit some of the more winding quiet lanes, which would be a shame.
If you’ve ridden Land’s End to John O’Groats, this is roughly the same at 1000 miles/1600km. In theory there’s a little bit more climbing, but French climbs tend to be long and gradual rather than (say) the relentless ups and downs of Cornwall, so it shouldn’t prove any harder.
As always, if you’re worried it may be too tough, try to allocate a few extra days. Spending 21 days rather than 17 or 18 will make the ride much easier.
Any touring, road or gravel bike will be fine. While there are a few unpaved cycleways, these are generally a fine surface and should be ok on 28mm tyres upwards (or 25mm at a pinch), or you can easily divert around them for an on-road route. You’ll need gearing (and legs!) capable of tackling a few stiff climbs.
Hotel accommodation and campsites are generally in good supply. Towns in the more remote rural areas may only have a few hotels or guesthouses, so do try to book a few days in advance. We’ve flagged these areas in the stage-by-stage guide where possible.
Not as a single route, no. The majority of the route is on designated cycle routes: France’s own national véloroutes, the EuroVelo network, and a host of regional routes. More often than not, you’ll find signs to follow. But we would strongly recommend navigating with a GPS or phone.
The obvious alternative start point is Caen, another port served by Brittany Ferries from the UK. Starting from the ferry port, just follow the Vélo Francette route to Laval, mostly along rail trails and towpaths. It’s around 20 miles/30km further. (Plus you can give the route the euphonious name of ‘Caen to Cannes’.)
Sure! The route is intended to be ridden north–south, slowly building from the gentle scenery of Brittany and Normandy to the wilds of Provence and the stunning gorges, but you can ride it south–north if you like. Do bear in mind that a few of the climbs will be unreasonably steep in the reverse direction, particularly out of the Tarn gorge and joining EuroVelo 3 at Roussines, so you may want to adjust the route a little.
No. France en Velo is a deservedly popular, beautifully photographed guidebook to a route from Saint Malo to Nice. Though our route follows a broadly similar course, 90% of the roads and paths are different.
Our route follows more traffic-free cycleways and signposted cycle routes; selects different sights to take in; and has less climbing. The main sections in common are three gorges (the Ardeche, Nesque, and Verdon) and the upper Lot valley. That said, we’d heartily endorse the book, not least for its glimpses into rural France and the lovely imagery.
The Nice–Paris TGV does not take bikes, unless disassembled. You can, however, piece together a slower route using regional trains.
If you’re flying home, the service centre in Nice Airport will sell you a cardboard box suitable for bikes (€40 in 2025).
For UK travellers, Saint Malo has regular ferries from Portsmouth (Brittany Ferries). The Paris–Saint Malo TGV express train takes bikes, though you’ll have to book.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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