|
 Topic: Info Req`d for cycle Tours-French Canals
|
  |
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
14/5/2018 at 11:56am
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/12/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3980
| Site Reviews Total: | 53 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Too strenuous and hot for me, but for the Canal du Midi look upRelaxbiketours.com They cover the length of the Canal between Toulouse and Sete with several pick up and drop off points along the way. Flights to Beziers and Carcassonne are cheap as chips outside the peak period.
|
14/5/2018 at 3:02pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/4/2011 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 7965
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 93 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 8 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 9 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 8 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 50 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 49 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 52 |
|
This site. shows all the cycle routes in France. (i.e. specifically designated routes)
I've cycled some of the Canal du Midi, and the Loire valley ...
Many places to bike hire in France ... also, lots of companies will drive your 'kit' from base to base, so that you can cycle without load carrying.
For instance
And ... here
Post last edited on 14/05/2018 15:16:03
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
15/5/2018 at 7:07am
Location: Leicestershire
Outfit: Old Eura Mobil
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 09/1/2003 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 435
Tent Reviews: 3
| Site Reviews Total: | 27 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I would possibly stick to northern France if thinking of cycling in August, especially if it's been a while. August can be so hot in the South. We take our bikes but mainly use them for shopping/short trips in the summer as it's often too hot to cycle any distance. Around Lac D'orient is fairly flat - http://www.aube-champagne.com/en/cycling-mountain-bike/
-------------
Kyla
|
15/5/2018 at 7:40am
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 16/10/2007 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 6716
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 116 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 4 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 40 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
You generally find that the major canals such as the Garonne/Midi, Burgundy, Nivere and so on, are bordered by mature plane trees. This makes them far cooler in hot weather.
Trails like the Via Rhona, or the coastal routes do tend to be hot and crowdwd inAugust.
|
15/5/2018 at 7:49am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Chausson S697
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 27/7/2016 Gold Member
Forum Posts: 442
| Site Reviews Total: | 63 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 14 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 9 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 15 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 10 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 1 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 15 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 18 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 22 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 30 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 19 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 7 |
|
There's a long distance cycle track along the Loire and most of the larger campsites either hire bikes or can suggest companies that do, including e-bikes.
The temperatures are a bit lower than further south and the paths pretty flat, so you might find it a bit tame. But of course the local architecture is pretty striking !
-------------
Seeking luxury in unexpected places
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
15/5/2018 at 8:06am
Location: South Northamptonshi
Outfit: Delta-Freelander
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 31/8/2015 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 1213
| Site Reviews Total: | 51 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 8 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 4 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 29 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 18 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 4 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 16 |
|
A few years ago, my daughter and I walked the length of the Canal du Midi. All along the route thee were places to hire cycles, so you won't have a problem. Try the local tourist offices for a list (you can probably get them on line).
When walking, we used a guide book for both the route (not so silly as it sounds as it keeps changing sides of the canal and isn't always obvious)and for the points of interest along it. It also gave some interesting diversions/trips out for cyclists. I got it on Amazon (can't remember the exact title), so a search should find it.
-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
|
15/5/2018 at 12:59pm
Location: West - North Yorkshi
Outfit: Swift+Speedbird+490+
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 19/10/2004 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 18749
| Site Reviews Total: | 30 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 4 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We have cycled some parts of the Canal du Midi and in summer it's an exhausting business - especially as long stretches are now unshaded with the demise of the huge plane trees.
I too would recommend somewhere further north if you want to do summer cycling - or think about it for a spring holiday instead.
|
15/5/2018 at 6:02pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 25/6/2013 Platinum Member
Forum Posts: 969
| Site Reviews Total: | 6 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Looked at the website that Kelper suggested £2k- £3.5k plus
, I'm guessing per person.
Compares to other holidays but not to camping.
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
|
