3 Unforgettable Cycling Routes to Explore
Cycling in France: A Natural Playground for the Cyclists
Cycling in France is one of the most inspiring ways to discover the country’s incredible diversity.
Thanks to an ever-expanding cycling network, France now boasts more than 25,900 kilometers of cycle routes, linking charming villages, historic landmarks, and breathtaking natural wonders.
This impressive French network is organized around 59 long-distance cycling routes, including 10 EuroVelo itineraries that connect several European countries. Among the most iconic:
• EuroVelo 6, joining the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea, with its French section known as the Loire by bike — a true gem of cycling tourism.
• EuroVelo 1, or La Vélodyssée, tracing the entire Atlantic coastline from French Brittany to the Basque Country, more than 1300km cycling paths.
• EuroVelo 3, called La Scandibérique, crossing France north to south, from Belgium to Spain, via Paris and Bordeaux by bike.
• EuroVelo 5, or Via Romea Francigena, running in France through Alsace, Burgundy, and Champagne on its way to Italy.
• And of course, the ViaRhôna, the Vélo Francette from Normandy to the Atlantic, and the Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo connecting the Atlantic to the Mediterranean by bike.
Each of these cycling routes reveals a different face of France — sometimes wild and coastal, sometimes historic or gourmet. Together, they invite travelers to embrace slow tourism, where the journey itself becomes as meaningful as the destination.
In this article, we’ll focus on three of France’s most stunning cycling routes — perfect for a first cycling trip or for experienced cyclists eager to explore new horizons :
The Loire by bike, The Vélodyssée, and The Alsace Wine Route.
Three legendary cycling itineraries, three unique atmospheres, one shared joy: discovering France differently — at the rhythm of the pedals.
