Cyclist posing for a photo in Nice, the starting point of the Nice to Genoa Cycle | Andrew Bain
Cycle the Tour de France in 2024
Discover how you can ride the Tour de France route on a cycling holiday.
The Tour de France race is ‘one of the toughest’ in the world as cyclists compete over many stages in
France.
The world’s most famous bicycle race is a dream for most amateur cyclists. The full route is incredibly tough, for instance in 2020 cyclists took on an epic 3,470km route where the cyclists rode for over 21 days and made 29 climbs, 6 mountain finishes and 36km of time trials. It proved to be a brutal and aggressive race for competitors.
If you have been inspired to visit
France and ride your own version of the Tour de France then browse the below active travel trips. For more race information, visit their official site
here.
Tour de France inspired Cycling Holidays
Cycle the Best of the Tour de France
Join coach and AG athlete, Brendan Erskine, in this epic cycle challenge, taking on some of the famous sections of past Tour de France races. You will not only experience some of the most epic and challenging legs of Tour de France’s gone, but also take in some amazing scenery through the European Alps.
> View the Best of the Tour de France Guided Cycle
Cycle Nice to Genoa
The French and Italian Riviera are idyllic and stunning destinations, and they are perfect to explore by bike. Nice, which is a fascinating mix between the modern and cosmopolitan and the grand old palaces, is your starting destination. Stroll along the famous promenade, visit the flower market or relax on the beach before starting your cycle journey to Italy.
Commencing the cycle stage, you follow the coast, admiring the clear Mediterranean waters and stopping in small towns and fishing villages. You'll visit the famed Monte Carlo before crossing the border into Italy where you can have a coffee break at a small cafe or stop for a swim at the cove of Balzi Rossi. Much of this tour follows coastal cycling paths, where you can smell the sea air and experience a quieter side of the bustling Riviera. With time to visit an archaeological museum, an olive oil museum and visit the artists and ceramists of Albisola, this trip has so much to offer.
Finishing in the port city of Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus, where you can walk its narrow streets and visit its palaces and churches, a legacy of its resplendent past. History, glamour, culture and stunning coastal views - you'll get to experience and enjoy it all on this week long self guided cycle.
> View more trip details
here.
Paris to Amsterdam by Bike
Cycle your way from the 'City of Lights', Paris, to the canals of Amsterdam on this diverse self guided cycling trip traversing three countries.
Pedalling on a combination of dedicated cycle ways along canals and rivers, sleepy country lanes and urban cycle friendly roads, this is a relaxed ride where you can focus entirely on the changing scenery, flavours and languages as you make your way from France through Belgium and finally to The Netherlands.
The trip is ideal for those who revel in city experiences, but also enjoy activity. Combine time at the museums and world famous buildings of Paris and Amsterdam with visits to Gouda, famous for its cheese, Antwerp, and the medieval architecture of Ghent.
Your time in the saddle will be well rewarded in each country as you ride through changing landscapes and lifestyles, from beautiful French villages with their local food and wine, to Belgium's beer and chocolate and of course The Netherlands' iconic Kinderdijk windmills. Electric bikes will lower the grading and are an option to consider on this epic two-wheeled journey.
> View more trip details
here.
Rhone Cycle Path: Lyon to Provence
Connecting the Swiss Alps with the Mediterranean, the Rhone River holds an important place in French history. Serving as an inland trading route where goods were transported as far back as the Greek and Roman civilisations, the Rhone connected many of France's most important cities and subsequently many smaller villages were built alongside it. Today, the cultural and architectural legacy of this period can still be found in many places along the river and can be discovered by cycling sections of the Via Rhona Cycle Path. This section of the dedicated cycle route connects the Rhône-Alpes region with Provence.
Beginning in the culinary capital of Lyon your journey along the Rhone to Orange will be lined with lush vineyards and fragrant orchards in many of the sections. However it's the cultural remnants that make this stage of the Rhone Cycle Path so special such as the splendid cathedrals and relics from Roman times reminding us of an important era long ago.
During the ride you can also marvel at cultural treasures such as the large Roman theatre in Vienne, or the architecturally outstanding museum of the Confluences in Lyon. From pastries at the boulangerie to soft caramel ice cream, there are so many culinary treats to replenish you as you cycle towards Orange.
> View more trip details
here.
Are you a cycling enthusiast? Do you always watch the Tour de France? Let us know in the comments section below.