Where’s the Best Place to Cycle in France? | Loire, Normandy, Alps, Pyrenees & More

From riverside châteaux to Tour de France giants — this is your ultimate guide to the most beautiful cycling regions in France. Loire Valley, Normandy, Brittany, Provence, the Pyrenees and the French Alps — each one offers a completely different experience: slow-travel elegance, coastal D-Day history, windswept Atlantic gravel, lavender-scented climbs, raw mountain suffering and pure Tour de France legend.

This video is perfect whether you’re planning your first cycling trip to France or looking for your next big adventure. I cover the key riding style, terrain, atmosphere, and must-know details for each region — so you can decide what kind of experience you want: relaxed discovery, cultural immersion… or full-gas mountain warfare.

Road, gravel, bikepacking or just good coffee — France has it all.
This video will help you choose your next cycling destination with confidence.

Want help planning a cycling holiday, solo or with a group? Comment, email or visit my website — I organise bespoke tours, GPS route planning and local advice across the Alps, Loire Valley, Normandy, Brittany & the Pyrenees.

Chapters

0:00 Intro
0:31 Loire Valley (castles & river touring)
1:50 Normandy (D-Day history & coastal riding)
3:05 Brittany (wild Atlantic & hidden gravel)
3:55 Provence (Mont Ventoux & lavender roads)
5:07 Pyrenees (raw mountain adventure)
6:30 French Alps (Tour de France giants)
7:50 Plan your own adventure
8:07 Support this French Cycling channel and subscribe

#CyclingFrance #Bikepacking #LoireAVelo #AlpeDHuez #MontVentoux

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Where’s the best place to cycle in 
France? The Pyrenees will test your legs, Provence feeds your soul, Normandy and 
Brittany take you through living history, the Loire Valley rolls past castles and vineyards, and the Alps? They’ll break you—in the best way 
possible. So… which ride should you choose?” Not every great ride leaves you breathless 
— sometimes the magic is in slowing down. Let’s start easy with the Loire Valley. Imagine 
gliding along riverside paths with châteauxs on every horizon. This region is perfect for 
every type of cyclist — road riders chasing smooth tarmac, bikepackers following the famous 
La Loire à Vélo, or explorers on the EuroVelo 6 route from the Atlantic to the Alps.
Miles of dedicated cycling paths, peaceful country lanes, and well-marked 
trails connect charming villages, vineyards, and royal castles. Campsites line the riverbanks 
for multi-day adventures, and boulangeries, cafés, and restaurants welcome cyclists 
— often with bike parking right outside. The towns are wonderfully bike-friendly, with 
plenty of rental, repair, and rest stops, especially during the Anjou Vélo Vintage, a 
weekend when thousands ride retro bikes in classic French style. Planning your own 
trip is easy — check loirebybike.co.uk for routes, accommodation, and local tips.
Mostly flat, smooth, and endlessly scenic, the Loire is perfect for families, touring 
cyclists, or anyone discovering the joy of cycling in France. Have you ridden here 
before? Which château was your favorite? …and if you’re ready to continue your adventure, 
head north on the Vélo Francette. From the Loire’s elegance, it guides you through river 
valleys, towpaths, and medieval towns eventually arriving in Normandy — a journey 
from Renaissance beauty to living history. Ride where history still whispers 
on every road and cobble.” Cycling in Normandy is like pedalling through a 
living history book. One moment you’re in quiet apple orchards and stone farmhouses; the next, 
you’re at Pegasus Bridge, the British Normandy Memorial, or Sword Beach. Perfect for bikepacking, 
cycle touring, road cycling, and gravel riding, Normandy also features the EuroVelo 4 / 
La VéloMaritime route, stretching from The Hague to Barfleur along the D-Day coast.
Explore Caen Castle, the Cotentin Peninsula, or cross the iconic Pont de Normandie to Honfleur. 
For Tour de France fans, the 2025 Caen Time Trial lets you ride and compare your times against 
the pros. Rolling terrain, smooth tarmac and gravel paths, coastal winds, and villages frozen 
in time make every pedal stroke unforgettable. Have you cycled Normandy? Did you follow 
the VéloMaritime, explore D-Day beaches, or discover hidden local roads? 
Which moment stayed with you most? …and if Normandy stirs your emotions, Brittany 
awaits with wild coasts and secret adventures. Wind in your hair, waves crashing 
nearby, and winding country lanes that feel like a secret adventure…”
Brittany takes things up a notch. Salt air, granite cliffs, and medieval stone villages 
give this region a raw, elemental charm. Bikepackers will love the wild coast, while 
road cyclists can enjoy smooth inland routes past ancient standing stones and Breton 
châteaux. Hidden gravel trails through pine forests and rugged bays reward exploration.
Rolling hills and short, steep climbs make it moderately challenging, but the 
views over untouched bays and iconic lighthouses like Ploumanac’h or Pointe 
Saint-Mathieu are worth every pedal stroke. If you’ve biked here, were you on road, gravel, or full bikepacking mode? Did the coastline 
or the Celtic interior blow your mind more? …and if the ocean wind is wild, 
Provence awakens all five senses. Sun-soaked climbs, fragrant 
lavender, and villages stacked on hills — Provence is cycling paradise.”
From rolling lavender fields to sun-drenched vineyards, Provence feels like a postcard on two 
wheels. The real thrill begins with Mont Ventoux, the “Giant of Provence,” where steep gradients, 
rocky summits, and panoramic views stretch to the Alps. Ascend from Bédoin, the treelined town 
welcoming cyclists with cafés and bike shops, or via quieter routes for a more peaceful challenge.
Gravel adventurers can explore hidden tracks up Mont Ventoux and through the Gorges de la Nesque, 
a canyon where limestone cliffs and winding roads test your descending skills. Bikepackers can 
combine epic climbs with charming villages, while road cyclists chase iconic Tour 
de France routes on quieter mornings. Every village along the way — Bédoin, Malaucène, 
or Sault — offers rest stops, bakeries, and cafes, perfect for a croissant before tackling 
the next climb. The mix of smooth road, hidden gravel, and stunning scenery makes 
Provence a must for challenge and beauty. Have you ridden Mont Ventoux 
or the Gorges de la Nesque? Road or gravel — which route stole your heart? …but if Provence awakens your senses, the 
Pyrenees will push your limits like nowhere else If you’re enjoying this journey through 
France, check out our full videos on each region for detailed rides. And if you want support 
planning a cycling holiday, solo or with a group, contact me via comments, email, or my website — 
I’d love to help you plan your ultimate adventure. Where roads twist like ribbons through mountains 
that feel alive — welcome to the Pyrenees.” The Pyrenees are where cycling gets wild. 
Sharp climbs, remote roads, and towering peaks push every rider to the limit. Conquer 
legendary passes like Col d’Aspin and Hautacam, roads steeped in Tour de France history. 
You may share the road with donkeys, cows, or horses, adding adventure and 
unpredictability to each climb. These long, sinuous climbs wind through 
forests, farmland, and foothill villages, with breathtaking views at every switchback. 
Descents are just as epic — massive drops, hairpin turns, and sweeping panoramas. Along the way, 
medieval castles whisper centuries of history, blending with untamed natural beauty.
The Pyrenees are not for the faint-hearted — endurance cycling, adventure 
touring, and very hard terrain reward grit and determination. Have you tackled the Pyrenees? 
Which climbs stole your heart, and which hidden villages or castles did you discover?
…and if the Pyrenees push you to your limits, just wait — the legendary Alps take it even 
further, where every switchback tells a story. Switchbacks that never end, 
peaks that scrape the sky, and roads that make legends 
— welcome to the French Alps. The Alps are cycling’s ultimate playground. 
From Alpe d’Huez with its 21 iconic switchbacks to Galibier and Pas de la Confession in the 
Oisans, this region delivers massive climbs, epic descents, and breathtaking views. 
Easier climbs like Col d’Ornon and valley rides provide scenic options for those wanting 
the Alps’ beauty without punishing gradients. For adventurers, hidden gravel climbs such 
as Col du Cluy and Col de Solude take you off the beaten track, through 
pine forests, alpine meadows, and remote villages. Every ride offers dramatic 
panoramas, glacial peaks, and rushing streams — a reminder of the Alps’ raw power and beauty.
Whether road cycling, gravel exploring, or bikepacking, the Alps give you a sense 
of scale, isolation, and adventure few other places can match. Every pedal stroke 
is a story; every summit, a memory. Have you ridden the Alps? Which climbs 
challenged you most — Alpe d’Huez, Galibier, or hidden gravel tracks? Which descent made your 
heart race? And where have you ridden in France that’s not on this list? Let me know!
…after all these climbs, descents, and unforgettable views, you’ve experienced 
France cycling at its finest — from gentle Loire riversides to legendary Alpine 
passes. Ready to plan your ultimate adventure? If you’ve loved this journey through France’s 
best cycling regions, subscribe to my channel, hit the bell, and join me for more incredible rides, 
insider tips, and epic French cycling adventures. And remember — if you want more 
support for a cycling holiday, whether you’re an individual or part of a 
group, in any of these regions or further afield in France, contact me through 
the comments, via email, or my website.