Three Great French Cycling Regions 
Of all the cycling destinations in Europe, France remains a strong favourite amongst cycling enthusiasts and with the country’s depth of cycling history and great variety of cycling routes, it’s easy to see why. This article takes a look at some of the more popular cycling regions in the country, to give you an idea of what France has to offer. Provence The Provence region is famous for its balmy climate and beautiful scenic views, making it the ideal destination for a relaxing cycling holiday. That’s not all that’s on offer, with many of the cycling holidays in the area also offering up the chance to taste the local French cuisine and experience the local culture. If you’re after the views, more than a challenging ride, then heading to the Luberon area for its famous scenic hilltop villages is a must. For those looking for more of a challenge there’s the various ascents up to the Giono-esque countryside, located atop the Plateau de Sault. Overall this relaxed region is a great place to visit to soak up the French culture and relax in the warm sunshine. The French Alps For fans of the Tour de France the French Alps has to be the destination to head to. For many keen cyclists the region is seen as one of cycling’s most important pilgrimages, with its iconic winding mountain roads. Riding in the region isn’t for the faint hearted though, with many of the ascents challenging even to the fittest of cyclists; that doesn’t stop the thousands of visitors to the region giving it their best shot though. The Col de Galibier, the Col d’Izoard and the Alpe d’Huez are the most famous mountain pass routes but it’s also worth taking a look at some of the lesser known roads in the region; which can offer up similar scenery with much less challenge. The French Pyrenees Another more challenging destination for the keener cyclist out there, the French Pyrenees is a great alternative to the Alps. Although not quite as well known as the Alps, the Pyrenees still offer up a fantastic range of cycling routes along beautiful mountain passes. The Pyrenees aren’t quite as tall as the Alps, still reaching 2,000 metres above sea level though, meaning there’s a greater variety of climbs; from the gentle lower slopes to the steep passes. The two best known passes are the Col d’Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet, but as with the Alps there are a number of equally good lesser known passes.