Whether you travel for the ornate chateaux and beautiful gardens, the tranquil canals, soaring mountains, glittering coastlines or delicious cuisine, France offers a wealth of experiences to suit all kinds of traveller.
You could find yourself pedalling serenely along the banks of the Canal du Midi, lacing up your hiking boots to walk a section of the spectacular Tour du Mont Blanc route, cooling off in the crystalline lakes or sampling sparkling wines in elegant vineyards.
1. Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe (west of the Caucasus) and rises some 4,808 metres above sea level. Straddling three country borders with its immense bulk, the mountain is covered with a carpet of wildflowers in spring and summer, with the forests providing cool shelter from the heat. Our tour offers the perfect blend of alpine culture and day walks, so as well as covering part of Mont Blanc you'll also take in other incredible landmarks and spots, from Lac Blanc to Chalet de la Flegere. Other highlights include enjoying the stillness of the Chamonix Valley, Grand Balcon Nord and delicious local wine and mountain fare in traditional auberges along the route (raclette, anyone?). Read Luke's take on climbing 'the roof of Europe' here.
2. Canal du Midi
Weaving for some 240 kilometres across the South of France, the Canal du Midi was once considered one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century. Today, the peaceful waterway is used mostly for pleasure cruising, with small river vessels travelling between the sun-drenched towns of Carcassonne and Narbonne. The tow paths that follow the route of the canal are popular with walkers and cyclists, who can enjoy the scenery of vineyards, sunflower fields and medieval villages. Embark on our Cycle Canal du Midi and you’ll pedal between Cathar Castles and bountiful markets, the fortress town of Carcassonne and the wine-growing region of Béziers.
3. Provence
Perhaps best known for its rolling fields of fragrant lavender, hilltop towns clutching cliffs and almost wall-to-wall sunshine, the region of Provence is vast and marvellously diverse. In the morning you may find yourself among the rocky Southern Alps, while lunch maybe enjoyed to the sound of chirruping cicadas in a sleepy vineyard, and evenings spent among the elegant coastal resorts of the Cote d’Azur. Join our Cycle Provence tour to explore at a slower pace, spinning the wheels between the landscapes that once inspired Van Gogh and a fleet of other artists. You’ll visit the village of St-Remy-de-Provence, the southern slopes of magnificent Mont Ventoux and cycle between the charming villages of the Vaucluse.