cycling has to be a must do activity. Some of the best places in France for cycling are around Alpine resorts of Annecy and Chambery, Brittany, Normandy and the Atlantic Coast. Where Brittany, Normandy, and Atlantic coast are for starters, Annecy and Chambery are for pure enthusiasts and professionals.
One of the best regions in France for bike touring is the Loire Valley, home to small, scenic villages and impressive chateaus. The roads are flat, plenty of campgrounds and small inns provide convenient places to stay, and it's easy to find fresh fruit at the markets, a variety of cheeses at fromageries, and wonderful breads and pastries at boulangeries for great meals.
You don't have to follow a specific route while cycling in the Loire Valley. Armed with a detailed road map, you can't go wrong by choosing any of the the smaller "D" roads. If you have a chance, take one of the "R.F." roads, which are paved cycling paths (closed to cars) running through the forests.
Paris makes a convenient starting point, although riding out of the city can be hectic. For an easier start, take your bike on the train to Versailles, check out the palace, and start your ride from there. Head to Chartres to see one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, and continue riding towards Chateaudun.
Once you've reached Blois, you'll have to choose which chateaus to visit, since there are simply too many to see them all. The earliest chateaus were built as medieval fortresses in the 8th and 9th centuries and converted to palaces during the Renaissance period.
Learn a few phrases in French before you go, and you'll find the people will be much more open. The French tend to dress up a bit more for restaurants, so if you plan on eating out in the nicer places, a good pair of pants and shoes (not cycling apparel) are a must.
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