France

Discover 7 cycling regions in France. From challenging mountain climbs to scenic coastal routes.

Cycle Routes:
National
Regional
Local
MTB

Regions

Cycling Regions in France

Corsica

1destinations

French Alps

Alpe d'Huez, Col du Galibier, Col du Tourmalet. The heartland of grand tour climbing.

5destinations

Hauts-de-France

1destinations

Jura

2destinations

Provence

Lavender fields, Mont Ventoux, and the essence of Tour de France.

4destinations

Pyrenees

Wild mountain passes and the border between France and Spain.

3destinations

Vosges

1destinations

Base Cities

Where to Ride in France

The best base city in each cycling region — your launchpad for the local climbs and routes.

Corsica

Ajaccio

Ajaccio opens straight onto Corsica's mountain interior, with the Col Saint-Georges and Col de Scalella within easy reach of town and the long haul over the Col de Sevi waiting further north. Sea-level starts, empty roads winding through maquis and pine forest, and a long mild season make it a natural base for riders who want big days without leaving the coast behind.

French Alps

Annecy

Ringed by mountains and centred on its turquoise lake, Annecy pairs a flat, car-free lakeside path with serious climbing on the Col de la Forclaz, the Semnoz and the Montée du Plateau des Glières. It's an ideal base for riders who want family-friendly miles and Tour-grade cols from the same town.

Provence

Apt

In the heart of the Luberon, Apt is surrounded by rolling limestone hills, ochre villages and lavender plateaus, with Mont Ventoux looming to the north. Quiet roads and gentle-to-punchy gradients make it a relaxed base for exploring Provence with the Giant of Provence always on the menu.

Pyrenees

Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Bagnères-de-Bigorre is a spa-town base at the foot of the Tourmalet, the most-climbed pass in Tour de France history, with the Col d'Aspin, Hourquette d'Ancizan and the Col du Soulor all close by. It's the quintessential Pyrenean climbing hub.

Jura

Champagnole

Champagnole opens onto the steady, forest-lined gradients of the Jura, with the Col de la Savine, the Côte de Valfin and the long drag of the Col de Landoz-Neuve within easy reach. Cool summers, empty back roads between limestone plateaus and lakes, and a compact town with everything a rider needs make it a comfortable base away from the crowds.

Vosges

Colmar

From Colmar the road tilts up almost immediately into the Vosges, with the Col du Platzerwasel, the Grand Ballon, the Col de la Schlucht, the Col du Pré de Raves and the long drag of the Col d'Hahnenbrunnen all within reach of a single day out. Vineyard lanes above the town make for easy warm-ups, the forest roads are smooth and lightly trafficked, and Colmar itself offers good rail links, plentiful lodging and a compact old centre to come back to.

Hauts-de-France

Roubaix

Roubaix is the finish of Paris-Roubaix, the Hell of the North — riding here is about the brutal pavé sectors of the Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle and the Carrefour de l'Arbre across the flat plains of French Flanders. It's cobbles, not cols: a flat, historic base for chasing the spring classics feeling.

Explore France

Discover legendary cycling routes and plan your next adventure.

All DestinationsPro Routes