Luxury Cycling tours in South of France

Popular Walking and Cycling Holidays in France

From lush valleys, to high mountains and with plenty of historical cities and picturesque villages in between, France has enough to to offer visitors for a lifetime of holidays. Its heritage is so varied and rich in terms of its history, cuisine, culture and beautiful landscapes and each region has a very strong identity very different from its neighbour`s. The most intriguing regions are those which the French call themselves the `France Profonde` - very remote and unspoiled and perfect for walking holidays.

Provence

The hills of Provence in the South are a great destination for walkers, with leisurely routes for inexperienced or casual walkers and for all cyclists going around or over the famous Mont Ventoux.. Sleepy pretty villages, gentle hills covered with aromatic herbs and flowers and beautiful historical cities are all on offer for walkers, with plenty of hotels and excellent restaurants offering the famous Provencal cuisine.

Bordeaux, Dordogne, Midi Pyrénées and French Catalonia, Cathars country

If vineyards and coastal regions are more your thing, then head to the beautiful Dordogne valley, filled with romantic and beautiful castles, as well as vineyards with excellent wine tasting opportunities and the beautiful abbey of Fontfroide. Walking tours are highly accessible in these regions, with many leisurely and relaxed routes ambling through forests, vineyards and farmland. If you want we provide guided winery visits with English guides.  Even better, there are plenty of food and drink options available on the route - there`s nothing like enjoying an outdoor lunch with a few glasses of top quality wine after a morning`s walking in the French sun!

The French Mountains

If more active walking is more your thing, then try tackling the Nature Park of the Grands Causses, or the Cathars castles in the Pyrenees. One classic walk takes the trail from the Alpes Maritimes through rolling valleys and gorges to the beautiful azure sea of Menton close to the Italian border. This is a dramatic and rewarding journey, with plenty of gorgeous stops at top quality hotels along the way and plenty of culture, food and rewarding experiences to enjoy along the way.

Of course you won`t simply want to rely on your feet alone! To get around the region and visit some of the more far flung beauty spots, it`s well worth organising a hire car for your stay. There are plenty of local providers in the popular tourist destinations, including car hire Bordeaux, The Loire Valley, Brittany and the Auvergne. Bicycles are also a great option for taking the weight off your feet and zipping around in too - again. .