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France are worth a few days each . Several towpath sections are tarmacked and vehicle width ; those that aren ’ t still offer cycling along a decent quality earth track with few or no access barriers ( only occasional section are narrow and rutted ).
Fine excursions from the canal include traffic-free cycling along the Canal de la Robine to Narbonne and the Med at Port-la-Nouvelle as well as a dramatic climb to the ancient site the Oppidum d ’ Enserune to the west of Beziers . The Canal connects to traffic-free canal routes at each end giving a potential off road route several hundred miles long !
] Ile de Ré & La Rochelle – Medieval Seafront and Island Paradise La Rochelle , one of the first French cities to become cycle-friendly , is a truly beautiful base for exploring this stretch of the Atlantic . France ’ s best preserved seaside resort is at the centre of a network of paths and is within easy pedaling distance of the incredible ‘ bridge on stilts ’ that links the mainland to the peaceful Île de Ré , with its segregated network of cycle paths and tracks . The island ’ s capital , St Martin Ré , boasts crumbling fortifications next to a lovely harbourside area . ■
Richard Peace is an experienced cycle journalist and publisher and writes for Freewheeling France . All the above routes are covered in more detail in Cycling Northern France and Cycling Southern France guidebooks by the author - found here .
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