Cycling Holidays 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.

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 experienceLa Loire à Vélo (EuroVelo 6 French stage)
canal towpath shade and Cathar historyBordeaux to Toulouse
Alsatian villages and wine roadsVineyards and Villages of Alsace
Atlantic coast and oyster villagesCognac to La Rochelle
Burgundy vineyards and rolling hillsSouth 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

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

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

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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Loire valley châteaux

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

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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Alsace Beer Tour

Alsace Beer Tour

  • 8Days
  • easyDifficulty
  • 310Km
  • 699 €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 Villa Meteor, the oldest brewery still operating in France....

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Vineyards and Villages of Alsace

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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Frequently asked questions

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

25 Sep

Stella

Tour Prague-Dresden Fully Guided Tour

We did a 5 day cycling tour from Prague to Dresden . Our guides were Klara and Antonin and our group was 4 people - myself and my husband and another couple . We had a wonderful time -Klara and Antonin were fantastic company , so kind , lots of fun , very knowledgable and smoothed our path in every way .I can’t recommend this tour highly enough .The route was beautiful and varied landscape ...

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25 Sep

Debra Burt

Tour Prague-Budapešt

A group of friends (nine of us) rode from Prague to Budapest. This was our second adventure with Europe Bike Tours. Because we rode last year with their guidance and support, we had complete confidence in our tour this year. Lukas and Vitek saw to every detail and helped us problem solve when there were equipment issues or route changes. We triumphantly rode to our final stop in Budapest, grate...

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 Debra Burt

22 Sep

Eduardo Juri

Tour Prague-Budapešt

SELF GUIDED BIKE TOUR PRAGUE - BUDAPESTExceptional tour self guided, specially the first part of the tour between Prague and Vienna all the time into cedars forests and cyclables roads with no traffic at allUne of my best bike tours ever (and I have made a lot in europe and americas)Special thanks to Europe bike tours for the support and perfect logisticsVery happy to rediscover Chzeq Repub...

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 Eduardo Juri

21 Sep

John Reid

Tour Prague-Dresden Fully Guided Tour

Prague to Dresden tour was an absolute highlight for us. Guided by Tony who is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Always made sure we were comfortable, safe and enjoying our tour. I cannot commend him highly enough and strongly recommend this tour through beautiful countries and towns to anyone thinking about a bike tour. Accommodation was first rate (with maybe one exception) and f...

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John Reid

20 Sep

peterwillo1

Tour Prague-Dresden Tour

This was a tour from Prague to Dresden. Everything was organised to the very last detail. The accom was excellent and the meals were first class. I would strongly recommend Europe Bike Tours for any of their tours you are considering.

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19 Sep

Barbara Reid

Tour Prague-Dresden Fully Guided Tour

Yes — mentioning the small group makes Tony’s personal attention even more meaningful. Here’s the updated version:We had an amazing e-bike tour from Prague to Dresden. We were a very small group, which made the experience feel really personal. The tour was extremely well organised, with an outstanding support crew who met us along the way with excellent snacks and refreshments, while also m...

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16 Sep

Barbara Geitz

Tour Prague-Berlin

We did a self guided trip from Prague to Berlin. Everything was organized well, backup was great. Maps were easy to follow. The countryside was fabulous. Loved it all

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Barbara Geitz

15 Sep

Dylan Weil

Tour Praha - Passau Tour

Good self guided tour, directions were accurate and easy to follow, hotels were all of solid quality. The bikes were also quite good, especially for rentals

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12 Sep

Germa Klaassen

Tour Elbe Bike Trail (over Prague) - 13 days

We took a wonderful bike tour from the source of the Elbe to Dresden.This was partly thanks to the fantastic team at Europe Bike Tours.From Dresden, Marek took us to Spindleruv Mlyn, which was a very pleasant drive.The navigation was super clear and easy to use. The sights along the way were very well signposted and described.The group chat was very handy and pleasant, and a great support f...

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 Germa Klaassen

10 Sep

Marc van den Berg

Tour Prague-Vienna Easy Long

We cycled the Prague-Vienna Easy tour, with 9 cycle days with in totall roughly 600 km. We had 2 resting days in between. Europe Bikes Tours did present themselves as being flexible and focussed on the client. And that is exactly how we experienced it from the beginning of the booking untill the end of the trip. Great support, great E-bikes and very well organized luggage transport and hote...

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 Marc van den Berg

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

Read more about us

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

Full-guided tripFull-guided trip

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!

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Lukáš Svárovský

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

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Vitek Prochazka

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