HOLIDAY DETAILS
The Country: France is perhaps the ideal destination for a cycling holiday. The country has a very varied
landscape. There are high snow capped peaks, rich green dairy pastures, vast acres of vineyards, limestone cliffs and deep
rocky gorges, as well as huge areas of forest, and one of the largest wetlands in Europe. Although it is three times the size
of the UK the population of the two countries is more or less the same, and France remains relatively rural, with a wealth
of quiet minor roads linking peaceful villages and hamlets.
The Tour: This is a Fully Supported Cycling Holiday with a leader, and support vehicle to carry all the
luggage and provide any necessary assistance. The holiday is designed to offer you the challenge of riding all the way from
the north coast of France to the Mediterranean Sea, while at the same time taking you through the great variety of scenery
that France has to offer. The distance from Calais to the Mediterranean Sea is about 850 miles.
The first part of the ride is through rolling countryside with a few short steep climbs. The area around the Loire Valley is mostly fairly flat, but south of the Loire the route becomes increasing hilly with quite a lot of up and down. The
second week takes you through the Massif Central where the terrain is mountainous with some long climbs and descents, but
most of these are well graded and should not provide too much of a problem to regular cyclists. The average daily distance
is 55 - 70 miles, and there is one rest day in the Auvergne close to the Puy de Dome. Most of the Bike Adventures route
follows minor roads, and traffic is generally very light. However the route does take you through some larger towns and
villages where the traffic can be heavier for a while, and on the final day of the trip there are some busier roads through the Carmargue as you approach the coast.
Accommodation & Food: This holiday has the option of camping or hotel accommodation.
If you are camping you will be staying at established campsites, with hot showers etc. You will need to provide your own tent,
sleeping pad and sleeping bag, although tents can be hired from us if required. Buffet style continental breakfast is
provided at the campsite each morning.If you choose an hotel-based trip, accommodation will be in small family run hotels,
generally graded 2* or similar, offering clean and comfortable rooms. Single people travelling alone will be booked into a twin
bedded room with another person of the same sex – unless the additional single supplement has been paid. We book rooms
with en-suite facilities where available, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Breakfast is provided at the accommodation,
most hotels also have a restaurant attached for an evening meal, or there is at least one other restaurant nearby.
Start: This holiday starts on the English side of the Channel at Dover. From here we will catch the ferry to
Calais to France. The exact time and location of the meeting point will be given in the Final Details for the holiday,
however you should plan on meeting in Dover at approximately 12.00. The sailing time to Calais is about 1½ hours.
After arriving in France there will be a short ride that afternoon to the accommodation for the first night.
Finish: The holiday ends at the small town of Les Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer, which lies on the coast at the edge of
the Camargue, to the south of Nimes. Flights are currently available direct from Nimes to Luton and Liverpool and from Montpellier to Gatwick, Leeds & Luton. A fast TGV rail service connects Nimes with Paris (with onward Eurostar connections to London), and European Bike Express operate a coach service from northern Spain to northern England with a pickup point at Montpellier. Transport will be provided to Nimes airport or railway station or Montpellier airport.
Note: The cost of the return flight or rail travel is not included in the price of the holiday.
You may book the flight yourself (or make your own alternative arrangements), or if you wish us to make the booking for you
we can do so (an additional fee is payable). A separate form will be sent to you .
Cycle Transport: If required we offer a cycle transport service to return your bike from Nimes to anywhere in the UK (additional fee payable), to save you the hassle of taking your bike on the plane. We can also arrange for your cycle to be transported to the start at Dover.
Documents: You require a passport to visit France. Nationals of some other countries also require a Visa. Non
EU passport holders should check with the nearest French Embassy. You are also required to have travel insurance for the
duration of the holiday. If you do not purchase insurance from us you will be required to provide evidence of a suitable
alternative travel insurance policy.
Bikes: All types of cycle are suitable for the trip. The most important thing is that the bike functions
properly and that you are comfortable riding it. However you should make sure that your bike has suitable gears as parts of
the route, particularly through the Massif Central, are hilly, with some quite long climbs. Most people will require a cycle
with a triple chainset. If you are riding a mountain bike then you should fit it with narrow 'slick' tyres.
You should also make sure that you are able to carry some spare food and clothing with you on the bike. The route does
cross some wild exposed areas with little in the way of shelter and no services, and you can get cold descending some of the
higher passes, particularly if the weather is bad.
Weather: The weather in May is usually fairly warm and sunny in the north of France, with the temperature
gradually increasing as we head south, although it can be cooler in the mountains. Average spring temperatures along the Mediterranean coast are in the mid 20’s.
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