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FAMILY CYCLING HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE

A family bike vacation isn't just a fun way to explore a new destination, it's one of the greenest ways to travel. Traveling from the UK, France is a wonderful and easily accessible place for families to enjoy on two wheels. Brittany Ferries sets sail from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth and in no time, you'll be across the canal and ready to go.

Taking your bike to France

If you plan to bring your own bikes then it couldn't be easier with Brittany Ferries. Most families who travel by ferry with bicycles add them to their cars (or caravans) in racks or boxes for a minimal additional charge.

Remember, you may need a power supply and license plate lighting panel to make sure your license plate is not obscured and your car and bike rack are legally roadworthy.

Car and motorcycle tours in France, Spain and Portugal

From the UK, Brittany Ferries offers a wide variety of routes that sail to five ports in northern France. This means that cycling in France through destinations including Brittany, Normandy, the Loire, and western France is easy and affordable. If you are planning a longer vacation, these cities are fantastic gateways to get out and explore more of the country.

Brittany Ferries also offers a wide variety of sailing schedules both during the day and at night, with cabins and reserved seating available in most. And then there are the added bonuses, like free onboard WiFi, toddler play areas, and teen game rooms.

Why go on a family bike holiday to France

So what can you expect from a family cycling holiday in France? Well, in addition to the sun, beautiful countryside, and endless croissants for breakfast, France is also home to an extensive network of family-friendly cycle routes.

The voies vertes (greenways) are bicycle routes that have been created from abandoned train tracks. Today they offer miles and miles of flat, paved, car-free trails that are perfect for kids. If you are cycling with older children or teenagers who are confident on the roads, look for véloroutes, an itinerary made up of a mix of greenways and back roads.

CYCLING IN BRITAIN

If you are sailing to St Malo or Roscoff then you have all of Brittany to tour. Packed with charming villages, megalithic monuments, and fairytale castles, there is so much to see and do.

In addition, the beaches in this corner of France are stunning with turquoise waters that rival those of the Mediterranean. Brittany also has hundreds of miles of car-free greenways, which means biking stress-free with the kids.

CYCLING IN NORMAND

For a family cycling holiday in Normandy, you can sail to Le Havre, Caen or Cherbourg. With beautiful and promising scenery and over 500km of cycle paths for cyclists of all abilities, this is a great destination for families on two wheels.

One of the most famous cycling routes, the Vélo Francette, is a 615 km route that runs between La Rochelle and Ouistreham. Cycling its full length can challenge even the most ambitious family cyclists, but luckily the route is divided into sections, including five greenways suitable for parents and children.

EXPLORING MORE OF FRANCE ON A HOLIDAY CYCLING

Of course, your family cycling holidays are not limited to Brittany and Normandy. Northern France is the perfect starting point to explore other regions of France. Cross Brittany and you will find yourself in the Pays de la Loire, another region that has benefited from the country's greenway systems.

As you cycle along, you can discover some of the most famous sights in the area, such as the medieval hilltop fort of Saumur Castle and the brilliant Puy du Fou historical theme park.

Another region worth exploring is the Dordogne, where well-marked cycle paths pass through some of the area's best-known sights. La voie verte from Trélissac to Marsac sur l'Isle is a 21 km flat path that follows the river past picnic spots, playgrounds and places to stop and go canoeing.

Follow the north coast and you will reach Somme Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in France. The bay has 46 km of cycle paths, many of them specially designed for families.

For a longer cycling holiday in France, your possibilities are endless. Head south along the coast and you'll find some of the best coastal cyclists in the country between the Gulf of Morbihan and the Gironde.