Enjoy a beautiful cycling holiday in France

When you think of France, chances are that the Tour de France is one of the first things that comes to mind. Everyone knows this event, which is seen as the biggest cycling event in the world. It attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. It is a fantastic experience to be able to watch one of the tours’ stages. But: it might be even more fun to cycle through the beautiful landscapes the pros race in, yourself. We give you tips for the best stages to visit, but also for routes that you can cycle yourself.

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Visit France to watch the Tour

Watching the Tour is an experience that is not only special for fans of cycling. When the Tour de France visits a French town, a real folk festival breaks out here. You’ll be able to watch the riders and the colourful tour caravan whizz by. This truly is an unforgettable experience. But the real question is: where is the best place to watch a stage? Here are some suggestions, which are all stages that are held in regions where there is also a FranceComfort holiday park. This way you can reside in a nice, comfortable base from which you can not only visit a stage, but also go on your own bike rides. This way you will experience an unforgettable cycling holiday in France.

Dordogne

The Dordogne is a popular holiday area. You have beautiful landscapes here that seem to come straight out of a painting. There are also many historic villages in this region which are perfect for wandering around in. If you want to visit a tour stage here, choose the route that goes through Sarlat-la-Canéda. Here you not only have a good view of the riders, but you also find yourself in a beautiful medieval town. Moreover, you can also enjoy delicious food here.

Want to cycle in the Dordogne yourself? Then take a bike ride along the Dordogne river. If you start in Sarlat-la-Canéda, you will pass all kinds of medieval castles and picturesque villages. These have evocative names such as Beynac-et-Cazenac and La Roque-Gageac. There is also plenty to do here for mountain bikers. Around Montignac you will find beautiful forests, but you will also encounter plenty of breathtaking views.

Provence - Côte d’Azur

In this region you will find one of the most legendary stages. We are, of course, talking about the ascent of Mont Ventoux, a mountain known as one of the toughest climbs of all. Because this route is so popular, we recommend that you arrive on time to get a spot. Waiting here, however, is not a punishment, because you will be surrounded by beautiful views over the region.

There is also plenty to do in this region for hobby cyclists who want to cycle in France. For example, start in the charming village of Gordes, from where you can cycle a beautiful route through the lavender fields of the Luberon region. Mountain bikers can indulge themselves at the Alpilles. There are several trails here that guarantee a considerable challenge. Need a rest? Then do so in a place where you can enjoy a panoramic view over Provence.

Languedoc

Carcassonne is also a place with a lot of history regarding the Tour de France. Every year there is a stage that ends in this special place. Carcassonne is a medieval city that stands out due to its imposing medieval fortifications, which makes it the perfect backdrop for an exciting stage. This stage is also very exciting, because the riders have to squeeze through narrow streets here.

You can also go cycling in Carcassonne. Follow the towpath of the Canal du Midi, which leads from Carcassonne to Béziers. The landscape along this waterway is well worth a visit. For even more adventures, hop on your mountain bike and explore the wooded hills of the Montagne Noire. Here you will find all kinds of ancient ruins and hidden lakes.

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Relax after a day of cycling

After such a day full of cycling fun, it is important to take a good rest. You can do this in one of the FranceComfort parks that can be found here in the region. The parks are all home to luxurious holiday villas, which are fully equipped. Some of these villas even have a private pool in the garden! The parks themselves are also equipped with a large number of facilities. Think of a swimming pool, restaurant, sauna or fitness facilities. These all are ideal places to recharge after a long day.

5 indispensable tips for visiting a tour stage

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1. Keep in mind that it can get busy at a tour stage. Make sure you find a spot along the road well on time to ensure you have the best possible view of the action happening on the road. Don't forget that there will probably be roads blocked off near where you'll be looking;
2. Buy the route book or download the app. Here you will find all the information you need in detail. For example, the book or app tells you exactly what time the tour caravan is at a certain place;
3. Make sure you have a good place to call home for a couple of days, where you can rest well before visiting a stage or just after you've watched the tour spectacle;

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4. Always pay attention when standing on the side of the road and be careful. All it takes is for something trivial to happen and an accident can occur. The cyclists skim close to the fences, so make sure you don't let anything hang over the fence or that you bend too far forward;
5. To be a part of a big spectacle, we advise you to visit a finish city. There is always a big celebration in a finish city.

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