Europe Bike Tours

Is France a good destination for a cycling holiday?

Perfect if you want:

exceptional food and wine at every stop
flat Loire Valley cycling or shaded canal towpaths
châteaux, medieval towns and UNESCO heritage landscapes on every route
a mix of culture and effortless riding
a first touring destination in Western Europe with excellent infrastructure

Maybe not ideal if you want:

consistently flat terrain everywhere (varies greatly by region)
budget-friendly prices throughout
comprehensive dedicated cycle infrastructure nationwide

Typical day on a bike tour in France: Canal towpath or Loire valley road • château stop mid-morning • long French lunch with local wine • luggage waiting at your hotel or gîte.

DifficultyEasy → Moderate

Best forFoodies, wine lovers & culture cyclists

TerrainCanal towpaths, river valleys & rolling countryside

Best monthsMay–October

Why cycle in France?

France is the finest cycling destination in Western Europe for anyone who measures a great day by what they ate and drank as much as how far they rode. The Loire Valley — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of royal châteaux, white wines and the gentlest of river gradients — sets the standard, and La Loire à Vélo has turned it into a benchmark for cycling tourism. For Alsace wine lovers, the Vineyards and Villages of Alsace tour winds through Riesling country between timber-framed villages in a journey as beautiful as any in Europe. Those who want to explore the southwest will find the Bordeaux to Toulouse route passes through vineyard estates and Cathar country along the Canal du Midi towpaths. In Cognac country, the Cognac to La Rochelle tour combines Atlantic oyster bars with France's finest brandy producers. France's cycling infrastructure has matured dramatically — this is a country that takes cycling tourism seriously.

Not sure which tour suits you? Read our guide to choosing a bike tour, or see our tips on the best time for cycling in Europe.

What a typical day looks like

45–65 km on canal towpaths or Loire valley cycle paths
châteaux, medieval villages and vineyard estates throughout
long French lunch with local wine at a riverside restaurant or village bistro
luggage waiting at your hotel or gîte — nothing to carry

How to choose a route

Which route in France should you choose?

If you want…	Choose this tour
the definitive French cycling experience	La Loire à Vélo (EuroVelo 6 French stage)
canal towpath shade and Cathar history	Bordeaux to Toulouse
Alsatian villages and wine roads	Vineyards and Villages of Alsace
Atlantic coast and oyster villages	Cognac to La Rochelle
Burgundy vineyards and rolling hills	South Burgundy

Popular Cycling Routes in France

The Loire à Vélo is one of Europe's most celebrated cycling routes, following the Loire Valley through châteaux, vineyards and medieval towns on gentle, flat terrain. The Canal du Midi offers shaded, car-free cycling through the south of France. The Vélodyssée traces the Atlantic coastline from Brittany to the Basque Country, while Burgundy by bike offers an unrivalled wine country experience.

What Makes Cycling in France Easy

France's main cycling routes are flat, well-signposted and extensively documented. The Loire Valley route is particularly accessible for beginners and families. Accommodation along established routes includes everything from simple gîtes to luxury château hotels. The quality of food and wine makes every evening stop a pleasure.

Self Guided Bike Tours in France

Our France tours include pre-booked accommodation, daily luggage transfer, detailed route guides and GPS files. We take care of all logistics so you can concentrate on enjoying the scenery, the culture and the cuisine.

Who Are These Tours For

France cycling holidays suit those who want beauty, gastronomy and culture in equal measure. The Loire Valley is ideal for beginners and families. Coastal and mountain routes suit more experienced cyclists. Easy to moderate depending on region.

Cognac to La Rochelle

8Days
medDifficulty
282Km
890 €Price from

Talking about the nectar of the gods… its business for generations, they know how to introduce it better, and what it goes very well with.Apparently, this toure was made up especially for the seafood lovers. Refined tastes? You'll find here a tab...

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Bordeaux to Toulouse

7Days
medDifficulty
260Km
785 €Price from

Discover a continental waterway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, which was known from antiquity and shows exceptional sites of natural and historical significance.This system of channels and rivers became UNESCO's world herita...

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South Burgundy

6Days
easyDifficulty
150Km
695 €Price from

As far as biking in south Burgundy is concerned, it falls at the top of our list. The views are fantastic and the experience unparalleled.You'll see landmarks in every inch here: chateaux, typical villages, artistic towns, farmhouses, and vineya...

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Vineyards and Villages of Alsace

7Days
easyDifficulty
305Km
999 €Price from

Discover the true heart of Alsace — a region where charming landscapes meet centuries of culture, tradition, and craftsmanship. This cycling tour leads you through a vibrant mix of Roman, Gothic, and Baroque architecture, past renowned museums, th...

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Alsace Beer Tour

5-8Days
easyDifficulty
160-310Km
719 €Price from

Set off on a one-of-a-kind cycling adventure through Northern Alsace, where every kilometer brings you closer to the region’s celebrated craft beer scene — including a visit to the iconic Uberach brewery. Alsace is a true brewing heartland, shaped...

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Loire valley châteaux

8Days
easyDifficulty
236Km
949 €Price from

Cycle through the Loire Valley châteaux from Blois to Tours Set out from Blois and follow the Loire River towards Tours, exploring some of France’s most remarkable castles along the way. The Loire Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, o...

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Along the Loire valley from Blois to Angers

8Days
modDifficulty
379Km
985 €Price from

Embark on a cycling journey through the Loire Valley from Blois to Angers, passing iconic sites such as Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon, Fontevraud, and Saumur.

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Frequently asked questions

Is cycling safe in France?

France is generally safe for cycling, though the experience varies by region. On dedicated routes like La Loire à Vélo or the Canal du Midi you are almost entirely traffic-free. Rural D-roads carry light traffic and drivers are usually careful. Busy N-roads and city cycling in Paris require more caution and experience. The French cycling infrastructure has improved enormously — in 2024 France recorded its highest cycling holiday numbers, and investment in routes continues to increase.

Are there hills?

France's most popular cycling routes are deliberately routed to minimise climbing: the Loire Valley is famously flat, the Canal du Midi is essentially level throughout, and the Atlantic coast is gently undulating. Venture away from the river and canal routes and the landscape becomes hillier — the Dordogne has pleasant rolling terrain, Alsace has gentle climbs between villages, and the Pyrenees are strictly for fit climbers. Most holiday cyclists stick to the valley and canal routes and find them very comfortable.

Can beginners cycle in France?

Absolutely — France is one of the best first touring destinations in Europe for beginners who prioritise food, wine and culture alongside their cycling. The Alsace tour is particularly well-pitched for new tourers: infrastructure is excellent, distances between villages are short, and the temptation to stop early at a good restaurant is constant. Daily distances of 40–60 km are realistic for most beginners.

What is the best French route for food and wine lovers?

The Loire Valley is unbeatable — you are cycling through the garden of France, and every village seems to have a producer selling wine from the cellar door. The Vineyards and Villages of Alsace runs it close for sheer density of excellent food and wine within a small area: Riesling, choucroute and flammekueche within 50 km of cycling. The South Burgundy route through the Mâconnais and Beaujolais wine regions is also exceptional, with premier cru vineyards visible from the saddle. Pack lightly and leave room in the panniers for bottles.

TestimonialsWhat our clients say about us

27 Oct

Peter Zimmerman

Tour Prague-Krakow FG

Completed an 8-day tour from Prague to Krakow. This was a guided tour with two excellent tour guides Jan and Michaela. The ride included snacks along the way as well as historical information . Luggage was transported everyday to the next hotel as well as having a support vehicle during the ride. We had specialized electric bikes which were fabulous to ride, especially at the end of the day...

25 Oct

Susan Vogt

Tour Prague-Krakow All Way biking

Europe Bike Tours was wonderful on our bike trip from Prague to Kraków. Due to health reasons, we had to switch to a premium electric bike at the last minute, and they accommodated us. The electric bikes made the trip a dream and gave us more time to see sites. When we had a couple of issues on the road they sent somebody on a taxi to deliver parts. The accommodations were wonderful, the direct...

22 Oct

Nicolas T

Tour Prague-Pasau

Excellent experience. I traveled alone from Colombia. I took the Prague to Passau tour. Communication was excellent, as was the bike (I requested a gravel bike). The hotels were good, all bike-friendly (they had a designated bike storage area). Highly recommended.

20 Oct

Wright Alcorn

Tour Prague-Dresden Tour reverse

Our party of four enjoyed ourselves immensely riding the standard Prague-to-Dresden route in reverse, found the hotels to be a nice balance of convenience and comfort, and had zero issues with the bikes. We have used the RidewithGPS app before and found it to be a great asset on this ride too. We highly recommend bike tours.com and their in-country affiliates. William A.

18 Oct

Malcolm Falconer

Tour Prague-Dresden Tour

There is nothing I can say but a big thank you for the Prague / Dresden trip. The organisation of the whole trip was easy and flawless and you guys are very clearly on top of your game. The overnight hotel accommodation was excellent and the scrambled eggs in Decin were legendary!We really enjoyed seeing places and things we would not ordinarily have seen had we not been cycling and the Rid...

12 Oct

Rob Doerksen

Tour Prague-Krakow FG

My wife and I recently completed a guided 8-day cycling trip from Prague to Krakow. We enjoyed it thoroughly. The scenery was beautiful. The back roads we cycled on were generally quiet with very few motorized vehicles, although cycling through a few towns was a little sketchier. The cycling itself was easy to moderate, averaging just over 60km/day with an average elevation of just over 300...

08 Oct

Silvia Kurth

Tour Spa Tour

The tour was well organized and the daily routes were interesting. The hotels were also good. Only the hotel in Karlovy Vary was difficult to reach by bike, as the road is very steep and there was very limited parking.

07 Oct

Mary Walsh

Tour Prague-Dresden Tour

We had a great week cycling with Europe Bike Tours. Prague to Dresden is a lovely route, peaceful and flat, away from traffic. It was our first time visiting the Czech/German countryside and there was loads of cultural interests to see along the route. Our hotels were very central with helpful staff. We especially liked that Europe Bikes checked in with us every evening to see that we arriv...

01 Oct

Rebecca Heylen

Tour Prague -Budapešt - short

Ever since I returned to the U.S. five days ago, from our incredible 12 day biking trip from Prague to Budapest, (a little over 400 miles), I keep telling all my friends and family that it was “the trip of a lifetime!”. Yet, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, “I want to do this again!” The beauty of that part of the world is mind blowing and so fulfilling! Being able to ride bikes (e-bik...

27 Sep

Liz Martin

Tour Prague-Dresden Tour

The Prague to Dresden 7 day self guided bike tour with Europe bike tours was absolutely excellent. The organisation was efficient, timely and well arranged. The bikes were very comfortable. The route was mostly flat, along dedicated cycle paths. The scenery was beautiful, mostly alongside the river and picturesque valleys. The hotels were excellent and right in the centre of each town. I wo...

Why with us?

With a rich 12-year history, Europe Bike Tours offers more than just cycling trips; we provide immersive "Culture Biking" experiences across the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Our tours blend the thrill of biking with cultural exploration, taking you from charming local eateries to ancient, hidden castles. We handpick the most captivating locations, ensuring each bike, family, or wine holiday is an adventure in itself. Catering to diverse preferences, our tours come in various formats, from self-guided to fully guided, with options for luggage transfer and different accommodation levels. For those seeking something unique, we're always ready to craft a tailor-made tour that perfectly fits your vision of a cycling holiday.

Self guided, fully guided or supported tours
City standard or premium accommodation
Tailor made maps
More biking options for each day
24/7 Hotline with personal approach
Quality bikes e-Bikes

Full-guided trip

We at Europe Bike Tour do know, that a good bike is the most important part of a nice vacation. So we let all our bikes serviced regulary so they stay in perfect condition. Under "Bike Equipment" you can find other aditional equipment that is either in the bike fee included or you can rent/buy it for adittional funds.

We offer male and female bikes with different sizes, E-bikes, Tandembikes, Bikes for kids and on request the Recumbent bike as well. Should you have a special wish/need, do not hesitate to ask us, we will make our best to fullfill your wish!

Tailor-made tours

Who we are

Lukáš SvárovskýManager

Languages spoken Czech, English, German

Guide since 2008

Lukas was born and raised in the Czech capital of Prague. His keen interest in history and sports influenced his determination to study both subjects at university in Germany. His passion for travel also led to Lukas adding a tourism degree to his studies. Biking, exploring, and discovering interesting places was one of the determining moments when in 2010 he decided to start Europe Bike Tours. Since than Lukas is keen on developing new products, improve services and above all, share his passion for traveling while guiding one of the tours!

Vitek ProchazkaManager

Languages spoken Czech, English, French, German, Slovak, Spanish

Guide since 2012

Vitek was born in Prague, Czech Republic and has remained there most of his life. During his travel and tourism studies he began guiding mostly bike and rafting trips all around Europe. Through his years in the office of a travel agency, guiding remained an important part of his life. Eventually went of for year in New Zealand and after returning started guiding and preparing programs in and around his homeland

Meet our whole team now

Cycling Holidays in France

Is France a good destination for a cycling holiday?

Why cycle in France?

What a typical day looks like

How to choose a route

Which route in France should you choose?

Popular Cycling Routes in France

What Makes Cycling in France Easy

Self Guided Bike Tours in France

Who Are These Tours For

Cognac to La Rochelle

Bordeaux to Toulouse

South Burgundy

Vineyards and Villages of Alsace

Alsace Beer Tour

Loire valley châteaux

Along the Loire valley from Blois to Angers

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Is cycling safe in France?

Are there hills?

Can beginners cycle in France?

What is the best French route for food and wine lovers?

TestimonialsWhat our clients say about us

Peter Zimmerman

Susan Vogt

Nicolas T

Wright Alcorn

Malcolm Falconer

Rob Doerksen

Silvia Kurth

Mary Walsh

Rebecca Heylen

Liz Martin

Why with us?

Full-guided trip

Who we are

Lukáš SvárovskýManager

Lukáš SvárovskýManager

Vitek ProchazkaManager

Vitek ProchazkaManager

Lukáš Svárovský
Manager

Vitek Prochazka
Manager