Independent cycling and walking holidays in France

BACKROAD DISCOVERY self-guided cycling and walking holidays are for people who want to explore independently with the security of a planned itinerary.

You choose the region and route and leave the organisation to us.   We will supply all you need for a carefree holiday, leaving you free to enjoy the byways, villages and vineyards, sampling the local produce and culture.  The emphasis is on cycling and walking for pleasure so distances are relatively short and there are routes for all levels of fitness.  You cycle/walk at your own pace, stop when and where you wish.  Daily luggage transfers mean you can travel light without any security worries and for any problems the local agent is only a phone call away.   Contact us for the detailed itineraries.

Linear and circular routes range from 3 to 8 nights or combine them into a longer holiday in the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Brittany, Normandy, Aquitaine, Languedoc and Provence.  Holidays are graded from Easy to Moderate and Strenuous. 

"Hi Robert,    We recently arrived home from our travels in Europe and one of the first things we needed to do was email you to thank you so much for organising our four day bike tour from Tours to Angers.  It was absolutely fantastic.  We couldn’t fault it at all.  The Hotels were fabulous including the breakfasts, staff very friendly and couldn’t have been more helpful, especially in Azay le Rideau.  The restaurants you chose for us were excellent - thank you.  Loved the bike ride through great countryside.  We would have no hesitation in recommending your company.  In fact have already done so and one day we hope to do another trip with you.  Best wishes.  Mary & Ted"

"Bonjour to you both.    Thought I would send you a quick email from John and I about our amazing time in France.  Thank you for all of the work you did to make this happen.   Chitenay stay was the best with such amazing food and we enjoyed our cycle tour.  This was a good time for us to come together and work as I team with our instructions and map reading.  We celebrated Bastille day with the locals, which is something I've wanted to do since my school days.  So thank you both for helping us plan  a great time that we'll remember for ever.   Merci beaucoup,  Anne and John"

"Bonjour Robert,   Thank you so much for arranging the three Medieval Trail walks for us in the Alsace - from Wissembourg to Kaysersberg.  Espace Randonee were great – our bags always arrived safely, the hotels were brilliant – great variety and often, wonderfully big rooms with baths – the latter very important for a good long soak after a day’s walk!  The complimentary guide book to the Alsace, included in the walk pack was an excellent resource and also a good souvenir of the region.   

The hotels that were a highlight of the trip for wonderful service, food and location, include Hotel Le Parc in the delightful village of Wangenbourg – the way a small number of staff handled a full dining room at the latter, whilst remaining smiling and courteous to all, was really impressive.  We still recall the cloud lifting off the mountains here, and the sound of church bells pealing whilst we sipped refreshing drinks in the welcoming hotel lounge.   Hotel Les Hortensias in Barr also rated highly – lovely to spend time around the pool on our rest day.  We can still smell the crushed  grapes in the streets of Barr, as the vendage was in full swing!    

With 300k of walking under our belts, and many wonderful memories, we felt like we could start over again – after a rest day or two!  We want to go back already!   Bien cordialement,  Margaret & Simon"

A final few words from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – “When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road …..“