The Vélo voyageur blog

Today we would like to introduce you to the 5 most beautiful French vineyards to discover by bike. As one of the important parts of French culture, discovering the wine culture during your bike trip should be an unforgettable experience.  Alsace Alsace vineyards The first destination is Alsace. Located at the northeast of the country, the region is famous for its special cultural atmosphere influenced by France and Germany.  Alsace vineyard is between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine plain and stretches across the entire region. The history of this vineyard could be dated from ancient times and until today, it is considered as one of the pillars of the region’s economy. The region’s special product is “Alsace Grand Cru”, a type of white or red wine. Due to the location of the vineyard, the Alsace wine route is the best way to discover the region’s wine culture by bike. This wine route is one of the oldest wine routes in France and goes through the region from north to south with a distance of 170 km. The road is quite easy to pedal and along it you can find 67 wine-producing towns (119 in total), more than 800 wine estates and 48 of the 51 grands crus. Besides this, the villages along the road also organize festivals where you can have a chance to discover the secrets of Alsace wine culture. Our cycling trips from Strasbourg to Colmar are the perfect way to discover Alsace vineyards!  (Take a look at our cycling holidays in Alsace here) Burgundy Burgundy vineyards The second destination is Burgundy. Located in the center-east of the country, the region is famous for its gourmet and wine culture. Different from Alsace, the Burgundy vineyard is constituted by many parts from the nearby region. Stretching from the north of Chablis to the south of Mâconnais with a distance of 250 km and a surface of 29 500 hectares. White wine is mainly produced in the vineyard. “The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy” were listed as UNESCO heritage in 2015. The “Climats” are precisely demarcated parcels of vines on the slopes of the Côte-de-Nuits and Beaune. They differ from each other due to their specific natural conditions (geology, exposure, grape variety…) which have been shaped by human labor and gradually identified in relation to the wine they produce. You can cycle on the Wine Route through the Côtes de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vineyards. Cross some renowned villages : Cluny, Meursault or Nuits-Saint-Georges. Burgundy has many cycle paths. You can explore the area at your own pace and make some stops at one of the many wine estates to enjoy a wine tasting. (Take a look at our cycling holidays in Burgundy here) Médoc Médoc vineyards High place of wine tourism, the Médoc vineyard is very renowned for its prestigious appellations : Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe… The vineyard belongs to the vineyard of Bordeaux which produces exclusively the red wine. You can find there many crus with an acceptable quality-price ratio. The vineyard is planted on a strip of land between the Jalle de Blanquefort (north of the Bordeaux conurbation) and the Pointe de Grave, from the Gironde estuary to the Landes forest. A wine route goes through the most prestigious vineyard parts. The relief of the vineyard is rather flat which is ideal for cycling. In addition to this, the Médoc is punctuated by sumptuous Châteaux. Even though the vineyard is quite old, most of the Châteaux date from the 19th century. In many cases, a manor house was built during the 18th century. Then, in the 19th century, with the growing wealth of the owners, a tower cone pointed rooftop or even an entire wing was added making it a brand new château. Cycling through the vineyard is therefore the best way to admire these beautiful places. (Take a look at our cycling holidays in Bordeaux region here) Rhône Valley Rhône Valley vineyards © A. Hocquel/Vaucluse Provence The fourth one is the Rhône Valley vineyard. It covers about 1317 towns from Vienne to Avignon on both banks of the Rhône river. As one of the most important French AOC wine production regions, the Rhône Valley vineyard produces mostly red wine. Second French vineyard, it produces some of the most prestigious appellations in the world : Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Beaumes-de-Venise… The diversity of the terroirs is explained by the complex soils and the variations of the Mediterranean climate. Therefore, it gives the wine of the Rhône Valley their marked character. Wine tourism is highly developed in the region. It offers not only local wine tastings but also presentation of the vine trade, production technique and the opportunity to exchange with the owners. Moreover, the valley also reveals a rich architectural heritage : Lyon, Vienne, Orange, Avignon, Nîmes… Thanks to the cycling route of the Viarhôna, you can cycle along the valley in complete safety and enjoy many stops at the winegrowers. (Take a look at our cycling holidays in the Rhone Valley here) Champagne Champagne vineyards The last vineyard to recommend is the Champagne vineyard, located in the former province of Champagne. It mainly extends in the Grand Est region but the departments of Aisne and Seine-et-Marne are also parts of this vineyard. When we talk about this region, the first thing we think about is champagne, the famous sparkling wine. But in fact, this is not the only product of the region. Its wine production is as rich as the other four vineyards introduced previously. The Champagne vineyard covers four production areas (la Montagne de Reims, la vallée de la Marne, la Côte des Blancs, la Côte des Bar) cultivated by 16,000 winegrowers. The vineyard is located on a territory crossed by rivers and with multiple hills. Visiting this vineyard by bike is a fantastic way to discover its 302 crus. The biggest champagne cellars are located in Epernay and in Reims. Since 2015, Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which makes it a unique region. On top of that, the Champagne is a 100% French product. You cannot produce champagne anywhere other than in the region. So you have no choice but to come here! (Take a look at our cycling holidays in Champagne here) Here are the five most beautiful vineyards in France to visit by bike! Come and cycle in these amazing regions and above all learn more about the famous French wine culture!

The Loire Valley is one of the most famous cycling destinations in France, with its various tourist attractions. In order to inspire your next bike trip, we choose to introduce our Top 5 of the most beautiful Loire castles. 1. Château de Chambord © D. Darrault – CRT Centre-Val de Loire After the war of Marignan, King François I decided to build the Chambord Castle in order to commemorate his victory. The construction of the castle began in 1519 and finished under Louis XIV’s regime. It was really influenced by the works of Leonardo da Vinci and characterized by the gothic style. The famous double-revolution staircase extends from the first floor of the castle until the terrace, where the fireplaces and several sculpted capitals could be found. The castle’s surroundings also deserve a visit. You may have the chance to see wild animals, to visit the vegetable gardens and to discover the local wine. A itinerary is also suggested for the cyclists around the castle. Moreover, there is a bike parking near to the principal entrance. A castle with more than 500 years of history, one of the most majestic representations of the Renaissance, a monument in the list of UNESCO… Come and discover the secret of this miracle! More information about the visit here. 2. Château de Chenonceau © A. Verger_CRT Centre-Val de Loire Chenonceau Castle is famous for its history characterized by an almost uninterrupted succession of women, which is why it is also called “The castle of Ladies”. The castle is not only special for its history but also for its structure. Spanning the river of Cher, the castle is constituted by 3 parts : the main castle,  the gallery over the bridge and the Tour of Marques, the only vestige of the old castle form. The current form was built between 1513 and 1517 by Thomas Bohier and his wife Catherine Briçonnet. During the first World War, the gallery was used as a temporary hopital. Today the castle is opened to the public and became the second important castle in the Loire valley. Inside the castle we can discover several rooms with classical furniture and a rich art collection. Outside the castle there are flower gardens and farms to visit. Chenonceau Castle has an area for picnic and many other infrastructures. All you need is just enjoy a stop there during your bike trip! More information about the visit here.   3. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire © F. Charel – CRT Centre-Val de Loire Located between Amboise and Blois, Chaumont Castle was first built around the year 1000 in order to supervise the border of Blois and to protect the city from the attack of Counts of Anjou. Now as one of the most visited castles in the Loire Valley, Chaumont Castle profits from the project of the region which gathers the modern arts, garden arts and cultural heritage to develop many cultural activities. The most important is the International Garden Festival, which welcomes each year landscapers and garden designers from all over the world to let their creative imaginations run wild. Chaumont Castle worth definitively a visit during your biking trip. Every year it is enriched by new art collections thanks to its International festival. More information about the visit here.   4. Château d’Azay-le-Rideau © A. Verger_CRT Centre-Val de Loire The castle of Azay-le-Rideau was built by Gilles Berthelot during the regime of François Ier. It is considered as one of the masterpieces of the Loire Valley. The famous French writer Balzac described it as “A faceted diamond that is embedded in the Indre river”.  Today the castle has become one of the properties of the French state and welcomes many international tourists every year. While visiting this castle, you can admire the magnificent mirror image of the castle in the water and also visit the medieval style rooms. The exotic park with many different green plants is a part of the trip which should not be missed. After the castle visit, take your bike and wander through the beautiful roads to discover the stone houses and the local products of the region. This wonderful castle awaits just your visit! More information about the visit here.   5. Château de Villandry © V. Treney – CRT Centre-Val de Loire The Castle of Villandry is one of the last castles built in the Loire Valley in the 16th century. First medieval fortress, the castle was transformed into this magnificent work that we know today by Jean Breton, the finance secretary of François Ier. Its open view thanks of its U-shaped architecture lets the castle have a nice view of the Cher and the Loire rivers. Don’t forget to visit the garden of Villandry built at the same time as the castle. After many years of work, now this organic garden is full of different kinds of plants. Today many cultural activities are held in the castle, for example the vegetable garden day and European heritage day. Not far from the city of Tours, the cycling route between Villandry and Tours is one of the trips recommended by the Loire region. More information about the visit here. As you will have understood, the Loire Valley is full of fantastic treasures! The best way to discover them is by bike, so don’t waste any more time and check out all of our cycling trips in the Loire Valley.

We believe that the best way to get to know the beautiful regions of France is by bike; faster than walking for sure but quite the opposite of being cooped up in a car, cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways of exploring the French countryside. If you’ve never experienced the magical scenery and fairytale castles of Brittany, here are 5 exhilarating cycle routes to take you on a true adventure. 1| The Atlantic Route (Roscoff to Hendaye) The famous Atlantic Route, also known as La Vélodyssée, offers something for everyone. This coastal cycling route can be taken at a pace to suit you and there are many stopovers along the way, including small hotels and B&Bs. And the sights, we promise, will be nothing short of spectacular. From Roscoff to Nantes, you will follow the incredible Nantes-Brest canal, which is said to be one of the greatest industrial achievements of the 19th Century. Then from Nantes to the Spanish border, you will pass coastal communes such as Marans, Royan, Lacanau and Leon. You can also cycle through Bordeaux if you have a taste for French wine. 2| Rohan to Josselin If you’re here to see the beautiful castles of Brittany, don’t miss the quaint cycling tour from Rohan to Josselin. Starting your journey in historic Rohan and passing through the sleepy town of Pleugriffet and the peaceful L’Oust River, this easy cycle route will take you all the way to Château de Josselin. This fairytale castle sits in the heart of a small commune where you can grab a coffee or glass of wine at one of the many street cafes. Just 24 kilometres, this route is suited for those who want to cycle around France at a more leisurely cycling pace. 3| Roscoff to Concarneau Over 120 kilometres of road, this is an alternative route starting from Roscoff, but instead of leading to Hendaye via the Nantes Canal, you will follow the former railway line and cycle through the breath-taking sights of the Breton countryside. Make sure you stop as you cycle through the Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique so you can explore on foot and take in the mind-blowing sights of the Monts d’Arrée hills. The gigantic boulders at Huelgoat Forest and the traditional Carhaix-Plouguer architecture are also worth stopping for. 4| Saint-Brieuc to Lorient For undisturbed country roads and a good day’s worth of scenic cycling, begin your route early at the beautiful bay of Saint-Brieuc. Catch sight of the spectacular sunrise here and head on to Plaintel, L’Hermitage-Lorge and Mur de Bretagne where you will be able to get some great views of the Le Blavet River. This is a perfect spot for lunch or a coffee stop and from there you can continue to through Neulliac, Pontivy, the village of Saint-Barthélemy and Hennebont before finishing your route at the stunning harbour of Lorient. 5| Carhaix to Saint-Méen-le-Grand If you’re looking for an inland cycling route with lush greenery and enchanting forests, the wonderful greenway leading from 16th Century Carhaix-Plouguer to Saint-Méen-le-Grand is a fantastic 128 kilometre ride. With flat landscapes, this scenic cycling route is easy enough for beginners and intermediates. Travel through the Forest of Broceliande, Ploërmel commune and stop off at Questembert to go shopping at the lively local market. For help creating the perfect cycle route in Brittany or any other region of France, use our online cycle route builder or contact our team on +33 (0)1 80 91 98 18.