Cycling

Get your fill of fresh air, faster and further than on foot...

You'll follow rivers, canals, coasts and beaches, countryside and mountains, and discover the great cultural capitals of Europe. You'll ride mainly on cycle paths, but also on footpaths and small roads.

Hybrid Touring Bikes

It's the bicycle of Yves Montand's Paulette! The one that goes almost everywhere, on roads and good paths, better for generally gentle terrain. Equipped with practical panniers for storing the day's gear items, it's easy and comfortable to ride, making it the ideal bike for touring.

For fatigue-free mile after mile of sightseeing and cultural activities, opt for an electrically-assisted bike! Otherwise, the "classic" touring bike remains a timeless and very pleasant choice for most ouf our cycling tours.

Distances
Stages generally range from 25 to 60 km (15.5 to 37.3 miles): a good balance for an active vacation, with plenty of time for sightseeing and contemplation. Sport or culture, the choice is yours. Why not have both?

Progress
Count on an average speed of 10 to 15 km/h (6.2 to 9.3 mph) - per stage, including stops and short breaks. Add lunch breaks and sightseeing.

With an electric bike, you can cruise at an average of 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12.4 mph) without difficulty.

Difficulty
We indicate the difficulty of tours on a scale from 1 to 5.

Rental Bikes
All our tours offer rental bikes for an extra fee, "touring/all-terrain" or electric. Of course, you're welcome to bring your own bike if you prefer that option.

All-Terrain or Mountain Bikes

When the roads become less passable and the terrain more rugged, we switch to mountain biking, but always with a view towards touring and relaxed exploration. Often more physical and technical than our "classic" touring bike trips, our mountain bike tours become extra magical and fun with an electric-assist bike option: "and the mountains are yours!"

Distances
Stages are generally 30 to 50 km (18.6 to 31.1 miles) long, with a daily ascent of 300 to 1000 meters (985 to 3280 feet).

Progress
Average speeds of 8 to 15 km/h (5 to 9.3 mph) - per stage, including stops and short breaks. Add lunch breaks and sightseeing.

With an electric bike, you can cruise at an average speed of 12 to 15 km/h (7.5 to 9.3 mph) without difficulty.

Difficulty
We indicate the difficulty of tours on a scale from 1 to 5.

Bike Rental
All our tours offer rental bikes for an extra fee, "touring/all-terrain" or electric. Of course, you're welcome to bring your own bike if you prefer that option.

Electric Assistance Bikes (E-Bikes)

These are touring or all-terrain bikes with electric assistance. It's great and growing in popularity, but what is it really?

It takes effort, but not too much! The "e-bike" doesn't go on its own, but it does multiply your physical output. You pedal without ever being "in the red": you're a super human. The hills and daily distances are easy to swallow as an e-bike rider.

Electric assistance is capped at 25km/h (15.5 mph); beyond that, your legs alone take over, but the boost is there as soon as you falter. The battery is powerful enough to get you through the whole stage without worry. It recharges from a simple wall socket, just like a telephone (much heavier, though!). E-bikes offer 3 to 4 levels of assistance; it's up to you to choose the one that suits you, depending on the terrain and your level of physical fitness, and the length of any specific cycling stage.

FAQ

I have a racing bike: do you know if it is possible to use on my specific tour?

Yes; contact us: we'll let you know if the entire route is accessible for your bike, if you need to make any changes to the itinerary or... if you need to change your destination!

Vélo fitness, “gravel”, “randonneuse”, etc… I get lost in all these bike names! Can you help?

With the development of bicycle travel, sub-categories of the all-terrain bike have indeed developed, with different characteristics: flat or curved handlebars, lighter or lighter bikes, different types of brakes, variations in equipment, etc... It's important to determine beforehand what you want to do with your bike. Feel free to give us a call to discuss.

I had puncture-proof tires and yet I got a flat! How do you explain that?

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a truly puncture-proof tire (unless you'rte riding a tank), only one that's much more resistant than a conventional tire.

Can I use my mountain bike for the routes indicated for touring bikes?

Yes, it just won't be as smooth on a mountain bike. Before setting off, it is best to fit your mountain bike with slicks (tires), which are smoother than the usual notched tires. Add panniers if you wish; otherwise, you'll be riding with a small backack.

Are E-bikes more fragile than other bicycles?

More fragile, no, more complex, yes. Electrical or electronic problems (battery connection, on-board computer) can occur, despite the vigilance of our partners. Of course, this is rare, and we'll help you out if any problems arise on any of our tours!

E-bikes are heavy!

Yes, electric assistance is there to make you forget about the weight. Pedelling an e-bike without assitance is harder than a normal bike.

Can I rent an E-bike for my child?

No, there are no electric bikes for rent for children, due to safety concerns.

Can I recharge my E-bike battery during the day?

Most cafes and restaurants will allow you to do so during any stopover. There are some charging stations available in some destinations, but that option is not as reliable.

How much distance can I travel on the battery of my E-bike?

The stages are designed to ensure that the recharged battery lasts all day. It's up to you, however, to manage your battery wisely; with maximum assistance (rarely necessary), the battery will drain quickly.

E-bikes are cheating!

It's a cliché and it's wrong! If it helps the less robust enjoy a cycling tour or it allows others to make longer stages or variations to enhance their experience, it is ok in our book. Rivers are often bordered by hillsides: with an E-bike, you can easily visit a hilltop castle! The use of an e-bike on our cycling tours is always optional. You do you!