France biking, cycling tours

Cycling beside Lake Annecy, north-east France with Mont Blanc and the Alps on the left.

French cycle vélo routes and maps | Loire Valley Cycling Pictures

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This is the most cycle friendly country in Europe- if you take into account the fact that Netherlands is very bicycle-oriented and flat but scenically dull, while Switzerland is a fine cycling country if you have thighs of steel and don't mind a lack of sunshine.

Although there's a fair amount of traffic around French drivers are reasonably sensible and well-used to coming across cyclists, often in large packs (peletons), as seen in the Tour de France.

Taking bikes on trains is fine, but it's not possible on all trains, so pay a visit to the station beforehand and pick up a schedule that should tell you your options. If necessary you could brave the information desk.

Rental bikes are widely available and guided or independent cycle package tours can be found easily.
Mountain bike tracks are also well-provided for, especially in the Southwest, the Landes forest and around the Spanish borders of the Pyrenees.