{"id":160,"date":"2026-04-23T16:48:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T14:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/?p=160"},"modified":"2026-04-23T16:48:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T14:48:57","slug":"planning-my-first-cycling-trip-in-france-a-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/en\/2026\/04\/23\/planning-my-first-cycling-trip-in-france-a-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning My First Cycling Trip in France: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"160\" class=\"elementor elementor-160\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee219f8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ee219f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8845103 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8845103\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bikepacking\u2014or cycling in France\u2014is a low-carbon experience that\u2019s accessible to everyone and deeply rewarding. Whether you\u2019re a beginner or just curious, proper preparation is essential to fully enjoy the experience. Here\u2019s a clear, practical guide to planning your first cycling trip in France, step by step.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-456459f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"456459f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f93ccf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f93ccf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Choosing the right route for your first cycling trip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f47a314 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f47a314\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ba6e10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ba6e10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>France offers thousands of kilometers of marked cycling routes. For your first cycling trip, we recommend choosing a route that is:<\/p><ul><li>Easy to access (minimal elevation gain, safe roads)<\/li><li>Well-marked, such as V\u00e9loroutes or greenways<\/li><li>With accommodations and services tailored to cyclists<\/li><\/ul><p>Among the most recommended routes:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loirebybike.co.uk\/\">The Loire \u00e0 V\u00e9lo<\/a>: flat, cultural, and well-connected<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cycling-lavelodyssee.com\/\">The V\u00e9lodyss\u00e9e<\/a> (Atlantic Coast): for \u201csea lovers\u201d<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.viarhona.com\/\">The ViaRh\u00f4na<\/a>: from the Alps to the Mediterranean, with stunning views<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a146808 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a146808\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-465e0e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"465e0e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Essential gear for bike touring<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1d42cf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d1d42cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad590a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad590a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The right gear ensures comfort and safety.<\/p><p>Here are the essentials for your first cycling trip:<\/p><ul><li>A sturdy and comfortable touring bike or hybrid bike<\/li><li>Waterproof panniers to attach to the bike rack<\/li><li>Lightweight helmet, gloves, sunglasses<\/li><li>Repair kit (patches, pump, tire lever)<\/li><li>Front and rear lights, external battery<\/li><li>Bike GPS or mobile app (Komoot, Maps.me)<\/li><li>Also pack weather-appropriate clothing: breathable clothing, a waterproof jacket, and a change of clothes.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bbf219 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1bbf219\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Family-Bike-location-velo-voyage-en-liberte-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-165\" alt=\"The Family Bike - First cycling trip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Family-Bike-location-velo-voyage-en-liberte-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Family-Bike-location-velo-voyage-en-liberte-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Family-Bike-location-velo-voyage-en-liberte-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Family-Bike-location-velo-voyage-en-liberte-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Family-Bike-location-velo-voyage-en-liberte-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f06eeb5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f06eeb5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2787fb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2787fb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Physical preparation for your first cycling trip: Preparing for the effort<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c2b275 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2c2b275\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c66f8eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c66f8eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Even though the routes are accessible, some physical preparation is recommended:<\/p><ul><li>Start 2 to 3 weeks before departure<\/li><li>Go on rides of 20 to 40 km, gradually increasing the load<\/li><li>Work on your endurance and pacing<\/li><\/ul><p>This will help you avoid soreness, test your equipment, and get used to the pace.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c31bc80 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c31bc80\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cfce0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0cfce0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Accommodations suitable for cyclists<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2a1d65 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b2a1d65\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cb2da9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1cb2da9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In France, there are many accommodations that cater to cycling tourists:<\/p><ul><li>Campgrounds with the \u201cAccueil V\u00e9lo\u201d certification<\/li><li>Bed-and-breakfasts with secure bike storage<\/li><li>Vacation rentals and inns near bike paths<\/li><\/ul><p>The mix of comfortable accommodations and budget-friendly options allows you to travel light while still getting a good night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ab584c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8ab584c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b166ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b166ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Logistics: An essential checklist for your first cycling trip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9de215 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b9de215\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9c30df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9c30df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Good planning helps avoid surprises. Here\u2019s a checklist for your first bike trip:<\/p><ul><li>ID, credit card, insurance card<\/li><li>Phone + charger + portable charger<\/li><li>GPS app + backup paper map<\/li><li>Snacks (energy bars, dried fruit, water)<\/li><li>First-aid kit and sunscreen<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c0494b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7c0494b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6980e8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6980e8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Additional tips for a successful first cycling trip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95d354b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"95d354b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69d3199 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69d3199\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Don\u2019t overload your bags: 10\u201315 kg is enough<\/li><li>Listen to your body: take regular breaks<\/li><li>Stay flexible: weather conditions or fatigue may require you to adjust your route<\/li><li>Test your gear on a practice ride before setting out<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ca5f42 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8ca5f42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e47e6ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e47e6ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Planning your first cycling trip in France hinges on choosing the right route, reliable equipment, good organization, and a positive attitude. With a little advance planning, this experience can become one of the most wonderful ways to discover the beauty of France\u2019s landscapes.<\/p><p>Our cycling tour agency, The Family Bike, based in southwestern France, offers comprehensive support for your first cycling trip \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bikepacking\u2014or cycling in France\u2014is a low-carbon experience that\u2019s accessible to everyone and deeply rewarding. Whether you\u2019re a beginner or just curious, proper preparation is essential to fully enjoy the experience. Here\u2019s a clear, practical guide to planning your first cycling trip in France, step by step. 1. Choosing the right route for your first cycling &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":165,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycling-trips-for-beginners"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions\/168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}