The Best Locations In France For A Biking Vacation

France is a beautiful country located in western Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel. It is an ideal location for a biking vacation and offers many types of terrain and an unusual amount of tourist attractions including numerous chateaux (castles), museums and many historic churches and cathedrals. Once you have decided to take a biking vacation to France, the more difficult decision will be choosing which region of France to cycle through! From the fast paced big-city atmosphere of Paris to the rolling wine country of the Loire Valley there are so many different environments to explore in France and the biking possibilities are almost endless.

One of the best places to go on a biking vacation in France is to the Loire Valley. Famous for its exquisite wines and elegant chateaux the Loire Valley is a feast for the senses. With its mostly flat and to somewhat rolling countryside it is a pleasant ride suitable for bikers of various skill levels. The Loire Valley is filled with unique chateaux, extravagant gardens, lush vineyards and numerous villages some dating back to the middle ages or earlier.

Another stunning choice for your biking vacation in France is Provence. Deep in the Mediterranean Region of France and flowing with rich olive plantations and other vegetation, Provence is rich in food and culture. Immortalized by Van Gogh in paintings, Provence is a colorful palette in and of itself. One can certainly understand why an artist would fall in love with the area as it is like falling into the paint box. When it comes to food, this region can't be beat. There are several dishes that bear its name, you will recognize the term "Provencal". The weather is generally a warm Mediterranean climate and quite enjoyable for your biking vacation in France.

The Dordogne Region is absolutely overflowing with grand chateaux, flowing rivers and mysterious caves. The unusual offerings include pre-historic cave paintings and a bicycle museum. You will also enjoy cathedrals dating to the 12th century and marvel at the exquisite stained glass. Talk about living history, you will find the forts that housed the British and the French during the Hundred Years War on either side of the Dordogne river. You may even find yourself spending the night in a 13th century chateau.

Another fun option is to take a one-day biking tour of Paris. No visit to France would feel complete without a view of the Eiffel Tower or a jaunt through the Louvre Museum. Paris is rich with culture and couture. Other sites include the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées. There are both day and night tours available, each offering a unique view of one of the most popular cities in the world.

These are some of the best choices of biking vacations in France and any of them would prove a memorable vacation. You might even consider more than one, if time permits. It would be especially easy to work in the short tour of Paris along with one of the others, since most flights land in Paris. A biking vacation in France offers the best in culture, cuisine and history so whatever you choose you will enjoy. Bon voyage!