Cycling in France: What Every Visiting Rider Should Know
France is one of the best countries in the world to ride a bike with quiet roads, a growing cycle path network, a culture that respects cyclists, and a boulangerie roughly every fifteen kilometres.
But it has its own rhythms, the boulangerie shuts for two weeks in August. There is a road rule that will catch you out before you have left the first village and no one warns you about either until you are already in the middle of it.
I have been guiding cyclists in France since 2008 and over the last year I have made three short videos that, between them, cover almost everything I wish someone had told me before my first ride here.
The Five Tips Every First-Timer Needs
The practical stuff. What to carry, where to actually stop for coffee, where to refill your bottles, the road rule that catches everyone out, and how to find the prettiest routes without trusting your GPS blindly.
Plus a bonus tip at the end that costs nothing and changes how locals respond to you.
Read the full guide and watch the video: First Time Cycling in France — 5 Tips From a Local Guide
The Five Quirks That Catch Visiting Cyclists Out
The cultural and legal stuff. The helmet rule that surprises most visitors. The closure pattern that strands cyclists every single summer. The group riding law you probably do not know, and the one piece of road infrastructure you should always use, even when you do not have to.
Read the full guide and watch the video: Beware of This When Cycling in France — 5 Quirks That Catch Visiting Riders Out
Where should you ride ?
Are you wondering where to ride in France this summer? The Loire’s châteaux, Normandy’s coast, Brittany’s wild lanes, Provence’s lavender, the Pyrenees, the Alps — six regions, six very different rides, and the only real question is which one calls you first. I put this guide together so you can pick the one that fits your legs, your pace, and the kind of trip you actually want.
Read the full guide and watch the video: Where’s the best place to ride in France ?
Rather Skip the Planning Entirely?
If you would rather not piece a French cycling trip together yourself, I run custom supported cycling holidays throughout France with bike rental available. The local knowledge in these three videos is the same knowledge that goes into every tour I plan.
Enquire about a custom supported cycling tour: