Fancy turning your camping trip into a cycling holiday this year? France is the ideal country to discover on a bike.
Why choose France for your cycling holiday?
Beyond France’s handy proximity to the UK, you’ll also find it’s blessed with hundreds of miles of wonderful countryside that’s easy to explore by bike. Travel at your own pace on a self-guided tour and soak up some of the best sights the country has to offer.
With so many Canvas Holidays sites across Europe that offer bike hire, too, you can make it a stress-free trip that truly makes the most of the great outdoors. Want to save money on your holiday? Why not bring your own bikes with you by catching the ferry or Eurotunnel train across the Channel?
Where to go cycling around France
As well as gentle cycle routes in the south of France ideal for cycling novices, you’ll find amazing mountain trails for those after a challenge. Why not consider:
Loire Valley cycling holidays
The Loire Valley is legendary for its lush vineyards and elegant historic castles, plus it has some of the cleanest air in France! Enjoy days spent outdoors by booking a Loire Valley cycling holiday that’ll see you venturing down quiet country lanes, along riverside paths and past elegant fortresses that were once the homes of royalty.
Follow the Loire à Vélo cycle trail that’s over 800km long and largely flat, making it a great option for less experienced cyclists or families with younger kids.
Stay: Camping La Grande Tortue is ideal for families, while peaceful Camping Bois du Bardelet is near two lakes if you feel like swapping your bike for a canoe one afternoon.
Provence cycling holidays
Like the sound of soaring past fragrant lavender fields and along pretty promenades? Provence is the place for you as it’s home to some of the best cycle routes in the south of France. As well as cycle-friendly cities like Nice and Cannes along the Côte d’Azur, you’ll find multiple national parks as well as the area’s famous flower fields around Grasse.
As Provence is quite mountainous in places, you can choose to make your cycle rides as easy or as tricky as you like.
Stay: Check into Camping les Pêcheurs that’s located right on the banks of the Roquebrune lake or stay 600m from the beach at Camping La Plage D’Argens.
Brittany cycling holidays
Being just a short hop across the Channel definitely makes Brittany an attractive location for a cycling holiday in France. As well as quiet rural roads and quaint villages, the region is also home to the so-called Emerald Coast where you’ll spot idyllic beaches, rock pools and picturesque seaside towns.
Stay inland and journey along canal ways and past gorgeous countryside or head to the Atlantic coast for a breezier bike ride.
Stay: Five-star Camping le Châtelet is set along France’s Emerald Coast, less than an hour from St Malo.
Discover even more brilliant ideas for a camping and cycling holiday in France with our current selection of cycling holidays.