Where to cycle in France in winter?

[Savagewolf]

The Miss and I are planning a trip to France next winter. Well, she is and wants me to go along. I would much rather go in summertime so I can enjoy some of the famous French climbs but that isn't a possibility in the near future due to various circumstances.

My question is this: Are there decent places to cycle near Paris or easily traveled to in the dead of winter? Ideally, I'd love to climb some of the places I only get to see on tv during the tour, but I can't imagine that's a possibility with snow and the like.

Thank you for your help.

[Ken Roberts]

Not sure why you're so focused on the climbs, since most of the better road-cycling in France is not the big climbs.

Sharon and I found some of nice riding (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b06/f/s/index.htm) in the region around Paris [ report (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/06a/index.htm#Ile_de_France_06jly) ]. There's a map of bicycling routes, something like "l'Ile de France a Velo".You could also try riding in the city of Paris itself [ our story (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/04a/index.htm#Paris_city_04sep) ] - (least traffic on Sunday morning). Not my favorite city for riding -- I like it better for walking or skating.That was in July. I'm sure there are days in winter when the region around Paris is ridable if you bring warm cycling clothing (like you can buy in serious USA cycling shops and websites). But France is a big place, so when we go there closer to winter, we've enjoyed doing rides in its warmer regions around . . .

Marseille (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b06/p/k/index.htm) + Nice (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b04/fr/k/d/index.htm).
See this report (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/04a/index.htm#east_Provence_04nov) about some pretty + interesting riding in the mountains around Nice.

Ken

[arie]

I should never ride in France in winter, the weather is too unpredictable.
For climbing: take the Eiffel Tower.
But if you insist: go to the Tours-Loches-Romarantin area. Visit Amboise and Blois if you like historical sites. And so on.

[grkeller]

hello,
the best place to ride close to Paris is the Vallee de Chevreuse - southwest of Paris
beyond Versailles. Sunday mornings every biker from the area is out there. Beautiful
countryside and a few decent, short climbs.

[pmanley]

Paris is a big city and like most big cities it has plenty of traffic and is probably best avoided for winter cycling. However, it shouldn't be difficult to get your bikes on a train and get out into the counrtyside. Sorry but there are no Tour de France mountains close to Paris. However, France has plenty of quiet roads for cycling and the weather can be very mild in winter. I live in the foothills of the Pyrenees 60km south of Toulouse. Although the weather here can be wet and cold in the winter, we do have many long dry spells with plenty of afternoon sunshine. Temperatures are mild and some of the more hardy cyclists brave it in shorts. Check out my website for more details on the area where I live. Good luck with the holiday.

[bing181]

I live in Europe, but spent a week in Normandie last December - not too cold, and fabulous riding.

It depends on the weather, but if it's not too cold, you could just about go anywhere in France for fabulous riding. Obviously, the further south the warmer/better, and perhaps avoid Bretagne ...

As for the climbs .. if there's no snow/ice, even some of those are possible. I've done things like Ballon d'Alsace (OK, not a mega climb!) in the middle of winter. Even Mt Ventoux in November was doable on days when the wind wasn't too ferocious - rug up for the descent though!

Alternatively, come visit us in Belgium - all the classic rides/climbs are doable year-round!

B

[cyclezealot]

Savage. We live in Roussillon . Much of France is unpredictable. Roussillon in mid winter offers the best climate for all of France. We do grow oranges here, so can't be all that bad. They say we get a snow about every fifth year. Pretty much our weather is like Barcelona's , which is about a two hour drive. / October is actually the wettest month. The biggest winter hassle is the Tremont winds. They can blow at 60 mph and in winter maybe they get pretty bad like 6 times a month and can last for as long as three days. A prediction. I'd say in January you can cycle 20 days out of 30. Average day temperature about 50-55. I am told there have been Christmas' where it is possible to eat outside. Rarely does it get below 35.
The Riverra, further to the east is similiar , but the winds are the Mistals, and they blow far more often than the 'Tremonts,' and are colder.

[RossinChic]

It's not close to Paris, but if you can get away for a few days, Corsica is second to none. You can find plenty of climbing and fantastic scenery there in a lovely Mediterranean climate (just right in the winter). The people are a little, well, insular, and the local food is fresh from the farm. Otherwise the south-eastern coast (outside of Nice) gets another vote from me. I have toured both places in the winter. Nice is nice, but Corsica is fantastic!

[cyclezealot]

I have never been to the area about Nice in winter. But, in Summer it is ridicilously congested and expensive. Maybe winter is different. The Riviera climate is pretty tame, unless the Misterals are blowing. you normally will get by with a good base layer,arm & leg warmers, and a wind jacket. Winter cycling garb not normally needed.