Cycling in France - Radfahren in Frankreich

France is the largest country in Western Europe and comparatively sparsely populated. This is further accentuated by the fact that a large part of the population is in the Île de France (Greater Paris) lives. The rest is lonely province (province). This is an advantage for cycle tourists, as is the mild climate.

General

In France there are different cycle routes:

Here it goes "into the green" in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune
  • Voies Vertes - Paths "in the green". These cycle paths are not approved for motor traffic. They are quite common and can also be found in many cities. A smaller part of these routes runs on former railway lines. A larger part (especially the long-distance routes) runs along canals on the former towpaths, which have now been paved and developed as cycle paths.
  • Coulées vertes - Voie Vertes in smaller and larger cities are called "Green Rivers". Many places treat themselves to a coulée, but it is not always a cycle path.
  • Veloroutes - Roads (routes) with motor traffic
  • Itinéraires cyclables - cycle routes, cycle paths
  • Boucles - Loops, which are often connected to larger routes.
Typical, in this case superfluous, wooden barriers on Voie Verte de la Mauchère in Malleloy
  • Circuits - Circuits without connection to other routes
  • Vallée - valley (bike path)
  • Band of cyclables - Cycle paths on the same lane as a vehicle. (Rare)
  • Couloir de bus ouvert aux vélos - Separate bus lane is also released for cyclists.
  • Chemins ruraux - Farm roads, often paved and open to general traffic.
All around barrier on the ViaRhôna near Montelimar

The signage with bike signs is generally bad. Most likely you will come across wheel symbols. If a path has a name, it is usually only in travel literature or in official documents. There is a nationwide network of V (elo) routes in France. This was signposted in many places for the first time in 2016 and the prospects for further improvements are good. Millions of euros have been invested in some routes and others will follow. The river cycle paths on the Loire and Rhône are particularly favorable. French cyclists have either racing bikes, mountain bikes or simple city bikes without a luggage rack, with which they only go for short trips ("strolls"). This results in little political interest in road construction.

In the meantime [2019] the EuroVelo routes in particular are very well signposted.

It plays a special role Alsacewhere more German conditions prevail. There are more than 20 signposted cycle routes.

Routes

National and cross-border routes

Tranquil Rhine-Marne Canal with Voie Verte

Regional routes

  • Autour du Luberon - 236 km of cycle path through the Luberon (mountains) in the west Provence.
  • FlowVélo - 290 km from the island of Aix and the city Rochefort largely along the Charente river to Thiviers in Périgord [1]
  • Boucle de la Moselle (Eng. the Moselle loop) - is an approx. 70 km long partial circuit around Nancy, with the western part along the Moselle runs. Complete it should be 85 km long. There are 2 logos and types of signage and therefore also variants. 2 rivers, several canals and also lakes combine to form a water landscape.link
Canals can also have tunnels. There are definitely no bats here, at least not officially.
  • Véloroute de la Vallée du Tarn - Approx. 110 km of river cycle path along the Camouflage of Trebas above Albi to Saint-Sulpice in Occitania. The river is much longer.
  • The cyclable du littoral circuit - Approx. 80 km of cycle route completed between Toulon and Fréjus at the French Riviera, 50 km of which are probably a railway cycle path. The coastal path on the French Riviera is to be further expanded at great expense.
  • Burgundy tour: 872km cycling around Burgundy
  • Roger Lapébie cyclable slope - 46 km of railway cycle path from Bordeaux to Sauveterre de Guyenne
  • Rhine-Marne Canal Cycle Route - approx. 80 km - from Strasbourg to Gondrexange in Lorraine. Then continue without any conclusive expansion Nancy and to Marne or Meuse.
  • Vélocéan - 95 km from Piriac-sur-Mer (North) after Bourgneuf-en-Retz (South)
  • Véloroute Vallée du Lot - 160 km river cycle path along the Lot from Cahors above Fumel to Aiguillon. Towing paths are rare on this route, almost exclusively country roads of all kinds are used. The signage is coherent and good. Unfortunately, places of interest are often on the other bank. The Lot valley has interesting rock formations cut by the river.
  • Voie Bleu de la Saône - About 180 km from Heuilley-sur-Saône Auxonne to Mâcon along the Saône. The blue path is probably the only one at the moment. It is partially signposted.
  • Voie Verte de Bourgogne du sud (South Burgundy Cycle Path) - a 78 km long, asphalted railway cycle path from Mâcon above Cluny to Chalon sur Saône.
  • Voie Verte du Canal des Ardennes - planned, approx. 100 km from the Meuse to Reims
  • Voie Verte du canal “Entre Champagne et Bourgogne” - about 150 km from Vitry-le-François to Langres, mostly also along the upper Marne. The route is mostly paved and partly signposted.
  • Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes - 117 km long paved route through the Ardennes, which are essentially the former towpaths of the Meuse uses, from Remilly-Aillicourt over Charleville – Mezieres to Givet. Although the route is consistently referred to as Voie Verte on display boards, there are sections with little motorized traffic. The towns on the Meuse are small and the area is quiet. The route is part of the European cycle route "La Meuse á velo" (see also Maas cycle route)

Travel time

Veloroute 50 (Charles Le Temeraire) - now with signposts

From the beginning of April to the end of October. Since it can get quite hot in some areas in the summer months, certain bike tours should be tackled carefully beforehand. Country roads and off-road journeys can be long and there may be little protection from the heat. In the south of France the temperatures are significantly higher than in the north. Make sure you have enough drinks.

getting there

Entering or leaving the EU border crossings by bike is not a problem.

Bike transport

By train

Local transport

It is generally possible to take bicycles with you on local SNCF transport. Since the regional trains are ordered by the Regiones, there are regional differences in the number of bicycle parking spaces, the periods in which bicycles can be taken and possibly the number of approved trains. Taking bicycles with you in local transport is usually free of charge and can be self-loading.

Long-distance transport

Taking bicycles with you on long-distance trains on French railways is more complicated than in Germany. You can take bicycles with you on some TGV trains, but not on some trains. You can take your bike with you on most of the TGV trains from Paris in the direction of Bordeaux and Brest, as well as quite often on TGV trains to Strasbourg and Switzerland. It is difficult with the TGV trains to Lyon and Marseille, here only a few trains take bicycles with them. On certain routes, the Intercité trains represent an alternative, which as classic wagon trains also offer bicycles. These trains run somewhat off the main routes over longer distances and thus open up the province more bicycle-friendly or offer province-province connections.

Food supply

Smaller and larger shops are available and thus grocery shopping is guaranteed. Shops are much rarer in the country than in Germany, which is why you should take an opportunity. Many shops are also open on Sunday mornings, restaurants and bars are almost everywhere. Bars are usually open early in the morning and allow a small breakfast.

accommodation

The country is home to big hotel chains like Accor and Louvre. But there are also plenty of individual accommodations and, less often, hostels. Camping is very popular and comparatively cheap. The target group are mostly motorists. There are also occasional special offers for cyclists along the cycle routes.

useful hints

All about cycling

Bike lane sign with green path
Hilly route

Traffic signs

  • Rectangular blue signs, with or without green stripes, are a recommendation
  • Round signs are mandatory signs that oblige the cyclist. However, they are rare.

Duties and Rights

  • Wear safety vests on country roads at night
  • Cyclists on pedestrian cycle paths must show consideration for pedestrians.
  • No more than one child may be transported on one bike.
  • There is right-hand traffic
  • It is allowed to ride next to each other on cycle paths, cycle lanes and pedestrian cycle paths.

recommendations

  • Check the bike: lights, reflectors / cat eyes red and yellow, brakes; Wear light-reflecting clothes and sturdy shoes.
  • Also turn your gaze backwards when turning on cycle paths, as franz. Cyclists often drive far too fast. A rearview mirror is useful here.
  • Watch out for barriers (French invention?)! In France, dark wooden beams are preferred, which are difficult to see in the shade or in backlight.
  • If there is a blockage, continue driving, as there are usually no detours. It is not uncommon for the barriers to be forgotten or put up because of planned (!) Building projects.
There is room for everyone on cycle paths - trucks are also allowed to drive on the Parcours du Littoral

Events

Every year over 100 bike races are held in the country, the most famous is certainly the Tour de France. The spectators come to this spectacle from afar to see one of the stages. Afterwards, many ride the bikes they have brought with them, following the bunch of racing drivers. The streets are closed for a while.

literature

  • Bikeline cycling region Alsace: Boundless cycling experience between the Palatinate Forest and the Jura, the Rhine and Lorraine, 1550 km, 1: 75,000, weatherproof / tearproof, see Esterbauer publishing houseISBN 3850004325
  • Bikeline Guide Moselle cycle path France: From the source to the German border, 240 km. Radtourenbuch 1: 50 000 [paperback] - see Esterbauer publishing house (New in April 2013)
  • Experiencing France: A circumnavigation by post bike [paperback] Thomas Bauer (Author) - Publisher: Drachenmond

Web links

(please do not insert any pages from bike tour operators or brokers here)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑http://de.media.france.fr/de/node/6371
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