Family cycling holidays in France
When we create our tours, we think first about the children, because we know that if the children are happy, the parents will be happy too.![]()
Our family cycling tours are not trips that have been adapted for families, but holidays expressly created with families in mind. As such, you can be sure of achievable, safe routes that avoid busy roads and don’t have too many steep bits; genuinely child-friendly accommodation, and a host of exciting things to do when not in the saddle. From wild swims to scenic picnicking and exploring castles that seem to have fallen straight out of a fairytale, there’s always adventure around the next bend.
“When we create our tours, we think first about the children, because we know that if the children are happy, the parents will be happy too.” Virginie Biarnay of our partner Safrantours explains why their trips carry such appeal to families. “Most of our guests are quite busy in their everyday lives, so these holidays are really relaxing for them. They can just take your time, stop when they want to stop. All of our trips are customised, and we have personally checked every route, every accommodation, to ensure it is suitable.”
Cycling with the kids in France is a very low carbon adventure. Not only are you using people power to get from A to B every day, but you can easily get to your holiday by train, as well. The routes are dotted with restaurants that prioritise locally grown, seasonal ingredients, something that rural France in particular prides itself on. Our holidays might tread lightly but they leave a big impression, as you spend your time, and money, in a host of small communities along the way, meaning you get to see a side of France that many travellers miss.
“When we create our tours, we think first about the children, because we know that if the children are happy, the parents will be happy too.” Virginie Biarnay of our partner Safrantours explains why their trips carry such appeal to families. “Most of our guests are quite busy in their everyday lives, so these holidays are really relaxing for them. They can just take your time, stop when they want to stop. All of our trips are customised, and we have personally checked every route, every accommodation, to ensure it is suitable.”
Cycling with the kids in France is a very low carbon adventure. Not only are you using people power to get from A to B every day, but you can easily get to your holiday by train, as well. The routes are dotted with restaurants that prioritise locally grown, seasonal ingredients, something that rural France in particular prides itself on. Our holidays might tread lightly but they leave a big impression, as you spend your time, and money, in a host of small communities along the way, meaning you get to see a side of France that many travellers miss.
Family cycling holiday in Alsace, France
Cycling holidays along the wine route
From
€620 to €990
5 days
ex flights
River Lot family cycling tour in France
A historical biking family holiday in France at river’s side
From
€835 to €1375
7 days
ex flights
Loire valley centre based cycling holiday, France
A fantastic hotel base & day trips along the Loire by bike
From
£1365 to £1470
8 days
ex flights
Chateau to Chateau family cycling tour in the Loire
Unique itinerary for families to discover the Loire Chateaux
From
€750 to €1105
7 days
ex flights
Loire Valley cycling holiday, France
Discover the Loire valley and it's iconic châteaux by bike
From
£1295 to £1720
8 days
ex flights
Bay of the Somme family cycling holiday, France
Easy family cycling by the sea with ebikes
From
€875 to €1365
7 days
ex flights
Where to go family cycling in France
Alsace
Alsatian charm unfurls ahead of you as you cycle quiet roads and dedicated cycle paths taking you through vineyards, fields of wheat and shady forests, along canals, and between villages whose cobbled streets are lined with traditional half-timbered houses. As you ride from Selestat to Colmar ancient castles dominate the valley sides. If you stop for a while at the Chateau de Kintzheim, you can visit the conservation centre set up to protect birds of prey and watch one of their daily flying demonstrations.
Bay of the Somme
Our cycling trips in the Bay of the Somme, in northernmost France, are ideal for families with a passion for nature. Take your time cycling around Le Hourdel and you may catch sight of the resident grey and harbour seals basking on the sandbanks, or watch the shrimp boats heading out to sea. Another highlight is a day cycling through the marshy landscapes of the Parc du Marquenterre, where you can see over 300 bird species including herons, spoonbills, storks, ospreys and kingfishers.
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley offers some of the best family cycling routes in France, with the terrain mostly flat and easy, and shared use ‘greenways’ ideal for helping younger cyclists grow in confidence. Pedal from chateau to chateau along forest trails, pausing here and there for a wild swim, to pick fresh fruit in a market garden, or to visit vineyards where adults can pick up something sparkling for supper. On rest days you might do a spot of canoeing or perhaps look around a castle like the Chateau d’Usse – said to have inspired Sleeping Beauty. The Loire Valley is also good for families who would prefer a one-centre trip, with daily rides spoking out from a hotel where you can prepare your own meals.
River Lot
If you’ve got kids, you’ll know the importance of keeping them regular. Our River Lot family cycling tours make that easy, because this is prune country, folks, and the fibre-rich dried plums are so abundant here that they are known as the ‘black gold of Aquitaine’. There’s even a prune festival in late August. Follow quiet routes long the banks, through orchards, and into rolling countryside where picturesque hamlets with mills, clocktowers and chapels make for a relaxing diversion.
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
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What does family cycling in France involve?
Can we hire electric bikes?
Adults wanting a little more oomph, perhaps to give themselves the edge on a parents-kids race, can hire an electric bike on any of our family cycling trips. And if you have young children unable to cycle by themselves, we can also arrange bikes with child seats, or with trailers.What kind of trips are available?
All of our family cycling tours are tailor made, and self guided. So whether your family’s thing is fairytale castles, or wild swimming, or wildlife watching… or you like the sound of a bit of everything, we can create a bespoke route that suits you down to the ground. Everything is arranged in advance, so all you have to do is the pedalling bit.
Most of our holidays are point-to-point, meaning you’ll be staying somewhere new every night, or every other night. Your luggage will be waiting for you on arrival at each hotel. However, not every family enjoys the prospect of regularly packing and unpacking (and as a Dad myself, I heartily agree!) so we also have centre-based cycling trips, in places like the Loire Valley, where you’ll head out on a different ride every day but always return to the same place.
Trips are typically about a week long but some can be as short as three nights – if you have younger kids then you might not want to do a full week. And, because not every family will want to be cycling throughout, you can always break your trip up with a rest day to do your own thing. We’ll be happy to provide ideas for excursions in the local area.
Most of our holidays are point-to-point, meaning you’ll be staying somewhere new every night, or every other night. Your luggage will be waiting for you on arrival at each hotel. However, not every family enjoys the prospect of regularly packing and unpacking (and as a Dad myself, I heartily agree!) so we also have centre-based cycling trips, in places like the Loire Valley, where you’ll head out on a different ride every day but always return to the same place.
Trips are typically about a week long but some can be as short as three nights – if you have younger kids then you might not want to do a full week. And, because not every family will want to be cycling throughout, you can always break your trip up with a rest day to do your own thing. We’ll be happy to provide ideas for excursions in the local area.
What is the terrain like?
All of our family cycling routes in France are well thought out to ensure that they are manageable for children. They are mostly flat, but there will be the occasional uphill section to contend with. If you’re unsure, we can recommend destinations that are best for younger pedallers. “We only use dedicated cycle lanes or roads that have very few cars,” adds Virginie, “and we have personally travelled every route ourselves to be sure they’re suitable.”
When to go?
Our holidays usually take place between April and late-October. “Because the climate varies around the country, one way to do it is you tell us when you can travel, and we’ll find a destination for you that will be nice at that time of year,” says Virgine.
Do we need to be regular cyclists?
You don’t need to be regular cyclists to enjoy one of our holidays, but you will want to at least be confident on bikes, and capable of riding for three to four hours a day, at a gentle pace. You know best what your kids can manage, but they may surprise you – it can be easier to find motivation on holiday than it is around the local park at home.
Where do we stay & eat?
One of the biggest highlights of these holidays is your sleeps and eats. Expect a succession of small hotels and guest houses, locally owned and very welcoming to children, and cyclists. There may be a swimming pool waiting for you on arrival – useful leverage for any stragglers at the back.
Usually, you will be eating out the whole way, though some hotels may provide a packed lunch on request. We’ll provide you with recommendations of lovely local restaurants and cafes along the route, so you can explore the regional cuisine.
If you’re on a centre-based holiday, staying in the one place throughout, then there may also be the option to self cater.
Usually, you will be eating out the whole way, though some hotels may provide a packed lunch on request. We’ll provide you with recommendations of lovely local restaurants and cafes along the route, so you can explore the regional cuisine.
If you’re on a centre-based holiday, staying in the one place throughout, then there may also be the option to self cater.
What if we get lost?
In the unlikely event that you do get a bit lost, it shouldn’t take too long to find yourselves again. Many of our holidays come with a downloadable app wherein you’ll find your customised itinerary with detailed maps and route notes, along with points of interest to look out for and contact details for your accommodation.
And naturellement, 24/7 support is just a button click away should you need it. “Recently we had three mothers travelling with their children, and one of them got a puncture,” says Virgine. “By the time we got there to support them, they had fixed the flat tyre by themselves. The kids were helping their mums, and they were all having such a lovely adventure!”
And naturellement, 24/7 support is just a button click away should you need it. “Recently we had three mothers travelling with their children, and one of them got a puncture,” says Virgine. “By the time we got there to support them, they had fixed the flat tyre by themselves. The kids were helping their mums, and they were all having such a lovely adventure!”
Can we get there by train?
Our France family cycling destinations are all perfectly easy to reach by train if you’d prefer not to fly. For instance, if you were wanting to visit Alsace, you can get from London to Strasbourg by rail in just six hours. Our partners can give advice on suitable connections and will ensure you’re booked into hotels close to train stations for convenience.
