“ France is the perfect cycling destination for all levels of cyclist , from gnarled touring veterans to family potterers and everyone in between .”
“ France is the perfect cycling destination for all levels of cyclist , from gnarled touring veterans to family potterers and everyone in between .”
magnificent stables , at Chantilly . The serene river Oise , takes you past Vincent van Gogh ’ s final resting place and on to pretty Pontoise .
The final stretch of the route into Paris offers views that inspired the likes of Monet , as it clings to the leafy Seine between Maisons-Lafitte and Colombes . There is more fine traffic-free riding along the canals St-Denis and St-Martin before backstreets guide you to the sacred heart of Paris , gothic Notre-Dame .
Loire À Vélo Known as Europe ’ s last wild river , the Loire has no towpath but this vèloroute often sticks close to the river using many virtually traffic-free tarmac ‘ residents only ’ roads atop the river ’ s dikes as well as traffic-free tarmac sections , occasional rougher tracks and minor roads .
‘ Fairytale ’ palace-like Chateaux are dotted all along the middle stretch of the Loire , each with it ’ s own unique style and rich history . Between the sumptuous cities of Angers and Orleans is prime Chateaux country at the very heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Burgundy ’ s Vintage Routes Taste some of the world ’ s finest wines on the Vineyard Way as you pedal through a string of the very best wine-producing villages . Follow tiny , extremely lightly trafficked roads through rolling vineyards . Beaune , with its huge medieval hospital building is your start for exploring village names that will have wine connoisseurs swooning with delight – Mersault , Puligny-Montrachet and Santenay . At Santenay join the beautifully surfaced Canal Du Centre to the riverside city of Chalon-sur-Saône . From here you can head further south into Burgundy along the beautiful green countryside that
12 | EuroTravel