I spent 26 days in May, 2008 riding from Paris to Avignon. It was a great trip and you will have a wonderful time riding in France.

I wrote down the steps I went through in planning my trip to France that you might find useful: http://www.biketouringtips.com/showT....php?tipID=504 . Much of it is particular to me and the trip I was planning but it may give you some ideas and it contains some useful links.

I have created a journal of my ride that might also be of interest to you.

In addition, this page contains 66 links to information about bike touring in France. Obviously, not all of them will be useful to you but some of them will be.

If you don't already speak French, take the time to learn enough to ask someone for road directions and understand the answer.

I'd reconsider your requirement for flat routes. For truly stunning scenery, I'd recommend that you ride along the Dordogne, Lot, and Tarn rivers as part of your trip. In truth, it would be hard to find a really bad route in France.

Bon Chance.

Ray