Guided Cycling Holidays in France

Discover the many delights of France & Provence on a superb guided bike tour

France is a country that needs no introduction—its fabulous cities, breathtaking countryside, rich history and world-class food and wine have cemented it as a European must-see. There’s so much to see and do that deciding on the right guided cycling itinerary will be the hardest part of your trip!

With its rich history, relaxed pace and sublime landscapes painted in a brilliant palette, Provence has been seducing artists, authors and travellers for centuries. Postcard-perfect scenes abound—sloping vineyards, sunny olive groves and lavender-strewn meadows, ruined Roman cities, medieval castles and busy market towns.

Explore the glittering coves of the Côte d'Azur and the lush wetlands of the Camargue, teeming with birdlife and wild horses. Visit the vibrant markets, vineyards and villages that inspired Van Gogh and discover what makes Provence an unmissable and unforgettable corner of France.

Our unique guided cycling and bike and boat trips are designed to get you deep into the heart of France, regardless of your interests or fitness level.

Find your France trip

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Personal Experience

Our team have been walking and cycling for over 4 decades. We are passionate about the UK & Europe, active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.

Great Value & Quality Trips in France

Our active holidays in France are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your trip.

Guided Cycling Specialists in France

Walkers' Britain have been operating guided cycling holidays in the UK and Europe for over 45 years. On a guided holiday our knowledgeable guides will ensure you are looked after throughout your journey. Their enthusiasm and knowledge bring to life the flora, fauna and history of the regions you travel through and they are also on hand to tailor the trip to the group's interests.

Walkers' Britain is committed to responsible travel and true sustainability. We take travellers to many countries which are home to challenging wilderness, rich biodiversity, and fragile environments. It is the travel choices we make while visiting these environments that reduce the negative impact. This is the essence of responsible and sustainable travel - something we take very seriously. View our award winning Responsible Travel Guidebook here.


Barges

Think of it as your floating hotel, where each day you experience a different sunrise and sunset location. Unpacking only once, berths range from two lower or bunk bed style but can be upgraded to larger berths with double beds. The bar and dining area is always a popular hangout at the end of each day’s activity. The crew includes an onboard cook.


Trip reviews

Provence Bike & Boat

Rating:

A well organised trip, great bikes & equipment, superb food and a wonderful tour guide who knew the history well - thanks Mikki.

J. Ealey | Australia22 May 2025

 
Provence Bike & Boat

Rating:

A. Foenander | Australia19 May 2025

 

Where to Go
Beautiful landscape on the Tour du Mont Blanc trail

Circumnavigate the spectacular Mont Blanc and hike its gentler lower stages, passing the snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows and charming villages of the French Alps

Head to the Pyrenees to discover a network of secret trails leading to the mysterious Cathar castles

Discover the endless vineyards, fairytale villages and unique German-infused culture of Alsace

Trek the high passes of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt—a challenging trail steeped in mountaineering legend

Visit WWII landing sites and sample local cheese, cider and calvados in Normandy

Tour the Loire Valley’s majestic chateaux, gardens and vineyards on foot or by bike

Indulge in Burgundy’s gourmet food and wine or explore the medieval castles and historic villages of Dordogne

Weather
Fields of sunflowers in northern Burgundy

April to October as the best time of year for walking and cycling holidays in France. Late spring and autumn are the picks, with fewer crowds and generally good weather. Summer is great for festivals, warm weather and long opening hours, however it does tend to be a lot busier and some regions can be a bit too warm for activity holidays in France.

The walking season in the European Alps is short – from mid June to mid September and many of the mountain refuges are closed outside this time.

Temperatures in the Alps over summer range from around 6 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. At higher elevations it is important to dress with layers as cold winds and possible snow falls can happen even in summer.

Currency

Euro

USD and GBP are easily changed

ATM's are widely available except in mountain regions.

Credit Cards are widely accepted

International Dialing Code

+33

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in France is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

**IMPORTANT NOTE**

ETIAS will be introduced in the last quarter of 2026. No action is required from travellers at this point.

The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.

see https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Until then, visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en . Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.