France trip on bike-anyone been? Where to go? 2 up

[Luckypants]

I would not try to do more than 500KM in a day on non-motorway roads. Even that is a full day on the bike. To enjoy the view and lunch stops, budget much lower distances.

TBH you will find your own natural rhythm of distance / time. If you don't book accomodation, then you are free to do as you please.

Whatever you do, don't plan big distance days prior to gettting back for the ferry, if things go wrong you will be racing for the ferry and that's when disasters happen.

Yeah we had a few manic days in the States cos all the accomodation was pre-booked and paid for.

[Lissa]

If you go out of the main holiday season, there really is no need to book accommodation in advance. We go on spec every year, and have never had a problem. It's also nice to have a plan of where you want to go, but by not booking you don't commit yourself to having to stick to a plan, and if you meet someone en route who suggests a good place to visit, you can do that.

If you are heading south though, one really nice place to visit is the Gorge du Verdun. We stayed in Castellane and paid 40 euro's a night.
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/groupes/verdon/pays.htm

Reims is a good first stopping point after arriving in France about two hours down the A26 from Calais, see the champage estates.

If your planning to head into Spain, head from there via Troyes across the to Clermont Ferrand using whatever N-roads you like and head south from there south towards Beziers on Frances only free autoroute. You'll pass very close to some fantastic moutain ranges and a selection of tourist attractions including the Gorge Du Tarn which just has to be explored by bike and of course you get to ride under and over the Millau bridge further south (have a walk round the village of Peyre built into the cliff edge near the bridge). Just get some local info and jump off the autoroute onto fantastic roads to get to each attraction you want to visit. Once in the south visit Nimes and the Pont du Gard one day and Carcassone another before heading into Spain and the Pyrenees.

[G]

Me and the missus have rented a cottage in june in the north of france and plan to go around normandy, and plan to visit Lemans and the sorrounding areas during the race week.

[dizzyblonde]

have a looky here
http://www.bike-stay.net/france/index.html
I can recommend this one
http://www.bike-stay.net/france/accom/peuplingues.html

don't know where your from but coming from halifax we were very tired getting into Calais, and, never being in France before on a bike was daunting, but this place was really really nice, quiet, 10 mins from Calais in a little village, bike friendly and cheap. Perfect.
i would pack good waterproofs as on the way back we endured 500 miles in the pouring rain- i won't tell you how long it took from Rochefort to Calais.The b and b was booked anyway, but we didn't turn up til 10pm after i'd told them of the difficult weather- we got there to hot soup and a lovely lady to welcome us. France is a lovely place with lovely people. Do plan your trip carefully, its worth it

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

Me and the missus have rented a cottage in june in the north of france and plan to go around normandy, and plan to visit Lemans and the sorrounding areas during the race week.

I'll see you on the way through. Can you do me snails in the shape of a 30 cos it's my big 30th in June! Yummy. Seriously, if you never have, try snails. Steak Tartare is very good too. No messing.

Got the banger in a few more bits tonight to get rid of the rust. Reckon it's a good way of reducing weight this rust painting over lark!

Thanks for the help chaps. Keep it coming. Was looking up tents yesterday. Found one called kahyem biker which looks pretty good. Oh yeah we're proper roughing it! Had a thought yesterday that it'd be nice to spend a night on a beach.

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

I'm taking the missus on a lovely little cheapo holiday to French France next year on the banger, when I get it sorted. I said we'd go South because it'd be nice and warm but I really haven't the foggiest where to go. Ideally we'd like to spend a good few days getting there, stopping at nice places on the way and then having a week or so to chillax. Give me some ideas peeps. Calais and Paris are the most I've travelled over there. Might even go into Spain depending on the distance.

Hey Mate,

An alternative for you is to head to Perpignan (Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!!). Check out www.coupdecoeur.co.uk It's a biker B&B, but it's a peaceful family house too!! Secure biking- the best food around, and the best roads that I've ever seen!!!

Check out this link for samples of the roads.... And look at their other videos, as that has some of the other roads on there.....not sure why it's in foreign lingo though!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=1

It's about 15-20 mins from the spanish border, about 15 mins from the beach, and about 40 mins-1hr I guess (?) to the Pyrenees. But all these amazing roads are not far from the house at all!

You can ride down through france to get there, or get a boat to Spain (Santander I believe). All information is on the website.

And if the other half doesn't fancy the ride down there, she can always fly over cheap with Ryanair!!! (Special offers all the time!) to Perpignan, which is only 10 mins from the B&B.

OK, I'll shut up now, but I hope it's given you another idea to ponder!

Originally Posted by trickywoos

Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!! [in Perpignan]

Perfect if your taking the route I described above. And some nice beaches and wine tasting (Corbieres & Minervois country) around Narbonne / Perpignan if you fancy a few days rest.

Originally Posted by trickywoos

Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!! [in Perpignan]

I'll keep that in mind. I am moving that area in the next year or two, but probably more Aude or Herault 'cos I am most likely to find work in Montpellier, Carcassonne or Toulouse.

My mother wants to go for a holiday next summer to see the area and spend some time on the beaches, wine tasting and sightseeing in the Pyrenees, Camargue, Cevennes regional park, Nimes, etc so I'll mention your parents place.

Get down there much?