Cycle Touring in France. Stephen Fox

Cycle Touring in France

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CYCLE TOURING IN FRANCE

Stephen Fox

2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY

www.cicerone.co.uk

About the Author

A couple of muddy mountain-biking weekends in Wales (with the evenings spent reading Robin Neilland's Walking through France whilst wet gear dried in front of a crackling fire) – followed by daily doses of Channel 4's coverage of the Tour de France in July 1989 – inspired Stephen Fox to attempt his first bicycle tour a month later, a 600-mile coast-to-coast charity ride across France from Caen to Montpellier.

Smitten ever since, he has cycled extensively in France and also central Italy, where he lived for several years. In 2001 he completed a challenging and exhilarating cycle tour of Norway's spectacular Lofoten Islands, situated 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

He now lives in southern England with his wife and daughter, and works in the photographic industry, as well as being a freelance writer and photographer.

ISBN-13 978 1 85284 432 5

ISBN-10 1 85284 432 9

Reprinted with updates 2007, 2010

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore.

All photographs by the author and Roan Fair.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost I must thank Roan Fair, who accompanied me on seven of the eight routes and was always so patient whenever I had to stop to write notes or take photographs. Many thanks also to Ian Uren who cycled with me on the Auvergne and Languedoc tour, and to Monique Cousquer, Gilles Rigole, Marie Sorin and Boris Wahl for their help and guidance. Last but not least, this guide would not have been possible without the wonderful support of my wife, Ilaria.

Advice to Readers

Readers are advised that, while every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Please check the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk) for any updates before planning your trip. It is also advisable to check information on such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.

Front cover: Pierrefonds (Route 2)

CONTENTS

Introduction

Which Route and When To Go

A Short History

Getting There

Bicycles on Trains in France

Roads

Maps

Passports, Visas, Health and Insurance

Money, Banks and Payphones

Public Holidays