Because with Us It’s Personal…

PN Tour de France: A Personal Journey Through France by Bike

When I first planned the route that would eventually become our PN Tour de France cycling holiday, it was the summer of 2010. The idea? To ride from Manchester to the Greek island of Ikaria and write a book about it. France would form the second stage of that journey — and although my planning methods were more thread-and-atlas than Garmin-and-GPS, the route I traced back then remains remarkably close to what we now offer as one of our guided cycle tours in France.

Back then, it’s hard to imagine, but Google Maps wasn’t in common use. Or at least not by me! Garmins and Wahoos weren’t glued to handlebars. I planned the entire journey with paper maps and a piece of thread stretched across my Europe atlas — plus a few wiggles. Quite a few wiggles when it came to France. There was so much I wanted to see.

I came up with the idea of the trip on a Thursday. The following Monday, I set off — with just over five weeks to reach Athens. Yet despite that initial improvisation, there is very little I have wanted to change when revisiting the route to design this summer’s Pedal Nation Tour de France cycling holiday.

Why Choose Pedal Nation for a France Cycling Holiday?

It has now been nearly a year since I joined the Pedal Nation team as a guide before becoming Cycling Development Manager at the start of this year. The key reason I chose Pedal Nation among other adventure travel companies was simple:

The company feels personal.

• When you enquire, the owner himself replies — not an AI bot.
• Tours are capped at 12 riders, with two guides and a support van, so you can get to know everyone.
• Routes are designed exclusively by experienced PN guides, keen to share their favourite parts of the UK, Europe (and Asia) to ride.

This year I’ve introduced several new cycling holidays including Costa Blanca Coast & Climbs, the PN Tour of Flanders and Lakeland Passes — but the one I’m most excited about is the PN Tour de France. Why? That word again. Because it’s personal. It was my first experience of the joys of cycle touring in France, and a route which perfectly reflects Pedal Nation’s philosophy: it provides a real sense of a journey from the coast to the mountains, without any logistical hassles or the need to carry luggage.

Why France Should Be on Every Cyclist’s List

To put it frankly: France belongs on every touring cyclist’s agenda. Cycling is in the country’s blood. Its psyche. The Tour de France is just the beginning.

Imagine:

• Respectful drivers
• Locals cheering you up climbs
• Endless quiet D-roads that actually go somewhere
• Cheese, bread and carbs which you can justify eating!
• Stunning natural and cultural landscapes.

In southern Normandy during my own ride, I once navigated simply by following the sun — as long as I was heading south on minor roads, I knew I’d eventually arrive where I wanted to. The route planning might be rather more high-tech nowadays on Pedal Nation tours, with gpx files provided on all of our holidays. But we will still be riding towards the sun the whole way, from the English channel coast to the cols of the Alpine foothills.

The PN Tour de France Route Overview

A linear France cycling tour — a true journey from Normandy to Lyon — passing through some of the most beautiful regions of the country. Including a huge variety of landscapes and many which aren’t included on the more usual English channel to Nice routes. At Pedal Nation we like to do things a little bit differently…our way.

Normandy: Coastal Riding and Medieval Towns

Our route begins in Caen. After tracing La Manche coastline, we head inland towards Orbec via pastoral green lanes. Orbec itself is a half-timbered, camembert-rich gem. We then continue to La Ferte Bernard, home of a mythical dragon through meditative rolling countryside and big skies.

Loire Valley Cycling: Castles and Vines

From Normandy we roll south into the Loire region — a highlight of any France cycling holiday. In Amboise, we cross the Loire with its famous château as a backdrop. The lazy beauty of the river genuinely took me aback the first time I saw it. Rather than follow everyone else along the Loire upstream, our route then cuts inland toward Vierzon, Bourges and Nevers through a stunning wine-growing region.

Along the way you have a chance to visit the grounds of the spectacular Château de Chenonceau — one of France’s most iconic castles.

Burgundy Cycling: Historic towns and Café-lined Squares

We cross the Loire again near Nevers, having explored Bourges and its Gothic cathedral earlier in the day, and follow the river briefly downstream before heading inland through the relatively unknown Morvan region of Burgundy. Autun is a Roman walled city lined with café-filled squares. A perfect overnight stop on any Burgundy cycling tour.

Then comes Cluny. In medieval times, Cluny was one of the most important towns in France. Today it remains home to an immense abbey and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. After a shorter riding day (57 miles), there’s plenty of time to wander.

Alps Foothills: Lakes, Mountains and the Grand Finale

From vine-covered Burgundy hills, the scenery gradually shifts and the Alps begin to loom to the east. Day 8 follows flatter roads along the Bugey river toward Ambérieu-en-Bugey. Lyon isn’t far now— but where’s the adventure in heading straight there? Instead, we cross the Alps foothills toward Lac du Bourget and an overnight in Chambéry before riding through the Chartreuse mountains — home of the famous green liqueur — and down to La Tour-du-Pin in a spectacular final day.

From here, we take the commuter train into Lyon rather than battle endless suburbs by bike; the trick to a good ending is to know where to stop.

On my own tour I missed out Lyon and sped on to Grenoble and up and over the Alps. This time? I can’t wait to enjoy Lyon’s legendary culinary scene.

Who This Tour Is Perfect For

This tour is ideal if you:

• Want a sense of achievement having ridden from the coast to the mountains;
• Value varied shifting scenery;
• Enjoy a mix of flat, rolling and hilly riding, and a sense of moderate challenge;
• Appreciate culture, history and food alongside riding;
• Like riding in a sociable but non-intimidating group;
• Want support without losing independence.

If you’re looking for a race, this isn’t it. There will be no yellow, green or polka dot jerseys handed out on our ride – you can ride as fast or as slow as you like. Yet if you’re looking for an experience you’ll talk about for years, then maybe this is the one. Find out more HERE 

I will even offer a free copy of the resultant book for every client who books this year!

For yet more blue sky thinking explore our full calendar HERE