I have a choice of riding anywhere in France. For those of you who have ridden extensively, what region would you recommend for a moderate biker in terms of ensuring a good combo of terrain and landscape. (not so interested in visiting castles and the like)
thanks
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Not clear if you are talking pedal or motor cycles. If the former, the most scenic areas tend to be the ones with the most hills. My favourite cycling areas are the Alps and Provence but both require a fair degree of fitness. Western Provence is less spectacular than the east but also less hilly. Ride from north to south in western Provence in spring when the Mistral is blowing and you won%26#39;t need to pedal!
French drivers, who often seem to have a death wish, are extremely kind to cyclists, remarkably so compared to those in the UK, but it is vital to have large scale maps to allow you to stay off main roads, which are no fun anywhere.
An important advantage of cycling in the south is that there are many fewer rainy days than further north. A disadvantage is that it will be very hot in summer. May/June/September/October are all good. I often cycle in the area north of Nice where, even in August, there is almost no traffic once you have left the coast. I will be on my bike there again in mid October.
If you search on the internet for cycling holidays in France, you will get a good idea of which areas the commercial operators consider to be most attractive.
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The Drôme region, just north of Provence, is excellent; we saw a number of cycling groups around Dieulefit.
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My husband and I spent a breathtakingly gorgeous week cycling around the villes perches in and around Gordes, in Provence. He is a very serious rider; I am less so but I ride regularly and I did train for this trip. LondonBob was kind enough to provide info to us in advance, and everything he says is quite accurate. The area is very hilly, which pleased my husband to no end. The landscape is varied and stunning.
My husband planned this trip through a cycling travel outfit here in the U.S. They met us at our hotel, fitted us to really great road bikes and provided maps for suggested routes of varying distances. Contact me directly if you want any more info about their services.
Happy cycling!
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