Okay, to be clear, you have to spend at least a weekend in Paris if you have not seen the City of Light. However, once you have seen the Eiffel Tower (don’t wait in line to go up… you are burning precious vacation time), and you have seen da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in the Louvre, it’s time to head to the provinces and enjoy experiences that will last a lifetime. Below are our favorite reasons to leave the Capital and spend some time in the beautiful French countryside on a France bike tour.
1. The Landscape. There is a reason why the French host the most famous bicycle race in the world. The French landscape is breathtaking and there is no better way to see it than on the saddle of a bike. Cycling not only allows you time to take in the landscape, but also the freedom to spend as much or little time in an area as you wish.
2. The Food. The coast of Brittany and Normandy boast some of the best seafood in Europe. The beach at Concale is famous for its oysters and fantastic cockles, mussels and clams can be found throughout Normandy and Brittany. If seafood isn’t for you, Northern France also boasts hearty meals such as Carbonnade (a beef stew braised in beer), Choucroute Garnie (a very Germanic dish of bacon, pork loin or knuckle) or reward yourself for the day’s ride with a Quiche Lorraine.
3. D-Day Battlefields. A France bike tour is not complete without visiting the D-Day battlefields of Normandy. The beauty of the landscape stands in stark contrast to the ghosts of war that still haunt the area. A visit to the Omaha Beach Museum and American cemetery, the final resting place of over ten thousand U.S. soldiers, is a poignant and memorable reminder of the Greatest Generation’s greatest day.
4. The Architecture. The churches, abbeys and castles of northern France will transport you back in history. The towering and majestic Mont St. Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a bike, you will experience the approach to Mont St. Michael just as pilgrims have for centuries. You first spot it as a speck in the distance and the mountain and abbey grow until they tower above you at the end of the causeway. The cathedral of Notre Dame de Bayeux and its 230-foot tapestry depicting the Normand Conquest are also must-sees.
5. The History. From Cro-Magnons to the Eurostar train, northern France has been at the center of much of European history. The Celts, the Romans and the Franks have all occupied France at one time and left their mark on the land and the culture. Modern times have seen two world wars played out on this land. A northern France bike tour allows you to experience France in much the same way as conquerors and defenders have done for centuries. If history isn’t your favorite subject, keep in mind that the world-class local wines will make any history discussion more enjoyable!
Austin Lehman Adventure Travel is a travel tour company with a 38 year legacy in creating amazing adventures packed with cultural and artistic encounters, with expert guides and hand selected adventures to guarantee you the vacation of a lifetime, without any of the grunt work. Book your travel adventure tour today!