A guide to exploring France by bike.

With 26,115 kilometers of cycle routes and greenways, France stands as the world’s second most popular destination for cycle tourism—leading the way in crafting unforgettable adventures that showcase nature, heritage, and local flavors. Whether you're conquering the peaks of the Alps or Pyrenees like a Tour de France pro, cruising along the Loire between châteaux and vineyards, cycling the scenic coastline, or exploring vibrant towns and cities on two wheels, France has it all. We’ll guide you through planning your cycling tour, navigating urban routes, and finding bike-friendly accommodations and services. Ready to ride?

1. Plan your cycling itinerary

While spontaneous rides can be fun, organizing your cycling trip in advance ensures you make the most of the experience. Whether you’re planning a day trip, a family-friendly route, a mountain bike adventure, or a long-distance tour, the France Vélo Tourisme website is a great resource. It offers a comprehensive list of cycle routes across France, including EuroVélo trails, national cycle routes, greenways, and bike paths.

With its interactive map and search tools, you can easily tailor your itinerary—whether it’s a loop or one-way route—based on your skill level (beginner, family, or experienced cyclist), trip duration, or preferred theme (castles and heritage sites, vineyards, mountains, or seaside views). Don’t forget to check regional and departmental tourist board websites, which are packed with useful information to help you fine-tune your cycling adventure!

Explore France by bike: endless routes for every cyclist

Across France, every region offers a wealth of routes for cycling enthusiasts, whether on a classic bike, mountain bike, or electric bike. From short rides to long-distance trails combining véloroutes and voies vertes (greenways), you’ll discover the natural beauty and rich heritage of each area. Ride along iconic routes like La Loire à Vélo, following the majestic river and its stunning châteaux, the ViaRhôna, stretching from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, or the Vélodyssée, spanning from the Basque Country to Brittany. For coastal views, the Vélomaritime takes you from Hauts-de-France to Finistère, weaving through Normandy’s scenic landscapes.

Choose to cycle part of these trails or tackle the full routes depending on your fitness level and mood. Feeling ambitious? Embrace the spirit of the Tour de France with your own grand loop! For food lovers, the cheese and cycling routes offer over 8,000 kilometers of trails passing through 1,500 cheese-making destinations—perfect for a pedal-powered culinary adventure.

Must-ride routes in France:

La Loire à Vélo: Discover the Loire Valley’s castles and landscapes
The ViaRhôna: From the Alps to Provence and the Mediterranean
The Vélodyssée: From Brittany to the Basque Country along the Atlantic coast
The Vélomaritime: From Hauts-de-France to Brittany via Normandy

Cycling in French towns and cities
Exploring urban areas by bike is a fantastic way to connect major tourist sites and discover hidden gems in the surrounding neighborhoods. In recent years, significant improvements have made French cities increasingly cycle-friendly, with an ever-expanding network of dedicated bike lanes. Public bike rental systems—like Paris’ Vélib’—are widely available in large cities and many medium-sized towns. Paris alone boasts 1,443 stations across 61 municipalities, offering a fleet of nearly 20,000 bikes (40% electric). Rates start at €1 for the first 30 minutes and €2 for each additional half hour.

For added convenience, apps like Weelo or Lime let you locate and rent electrically-assisted bikes on the go. Many cities also offer themed cycling tours and treasure hunts, perfect for discovering cultural highlights on two wheels. In Paris, for instance, you can ride the Scandibérique, a long-distance route connecting Belgium to Spain, that winds right through the city! Whether for short trips or extended journeys, cycling in France is the ideal way to explore sustainably and enjoy every corner of this beautiful country.