The
journey is the destination...
France
lives la vie de vélo
They
may say laissez les bon temps rouler (translation:
let the good times roll) in Cajun Country, but there is no
better way to see France than literally rolling – on a bicycle.
 Cycling
here is a passion and a classic summer activity, offering
a slower-paced view of the countryside with the cobblestones
below and the wind in your face. You might pass chateaux
or prehistoric caves, traverse mountains or flatlands, or
hug rivers or coastlines. At the end of each leg you can
relax poolside at luxe lodgings or in a bedroom that's been
around for centuries. And of course there's the cuisine and
wine, which never go out of style.
You
needn't have a Tour de France physique to enjoy a French
biking vacation; there are almost as many types of tours
as there are potential visitors, lasting from just a few
days to more than a week. Some tours are fully escorted with
guides – and a van in case you'd like someone else to take
over the driving. Other, self-guided tours encourage you
to explore at your own pace; porterage for your luggage allows
you concentrate on the important things: enjoying the sights,
lodgings, wines, cuisine and camaraderie.
Enjoy
the ride!
Laura
Lesnie
Editor, Your Travel Insider
Butterfield & Robinson
 This
longstanding tour operator commemorates its 40th anniversary
this year, with a special excursion between Paris & London
($7,995). The Relais & Chateaux's La Ferme Saint Simon
in Honfleur, France, and the Four Seasons Hampshire in Hook,
England, provide lodging. If you want to shadow the Tour
de France without having to be the next Lance Armstrong,
routes follow the race from Biarritz to Carcassonne or Geneva
to Paris ($6,995 each). B&R's Loire Valley tour ($5,795)
lets you stay in a 13th century chateau where Joan of Arc
once slept (recently renovated, you'll be pleased to know).
Website: www.butterfield.com
Destination
Cycling
 Few
of us can spend a year in Provence à la Peter Mayle,
but Destination's 7 day/6 night cycling excursion ($3,895)
lets you get up close and personal with the land that inspired
Petrarch and van Gogh. Local guides explain the Greek and
Roman artifacts, and you'll sip famous Cote du Rhone wines.
Energetic cyclists might opt for Destination's Tour de France-themed
visit to the Pyrenees and Biarritz coast ($4,395), with hilly
and climbing terrain.
Website: www.destinationcycling.com
Breakaway
Adventures
 Breakaway
offers a lineup of do-it-yourself cycling tours for travelers
who want a little more time and space to themselves, along
with the legendary pleasures of French gastronomie. A tour
of the Dordogne region (from $1,984) includes a visit to
an Armagnac distillery, explorations of churches and chateaux
dating back to the 12th century, and viewing of the ancient
cave paintings of Lascaux. A tour through the Loire (from
$1,761) takes in famous chateaux including Blois and Chenonceau,
and dozens of wines from major wineries or tiny vineyards.
Breakaway's tours are essentially self-guided, but some offer
local staff who act as concierges and can help with bike
repairs.
Website: www.breakaway-adventures.com |
