Places to cycle as a family in France
- Jun 19, 2023
With the summer holidays fast approaching, there’s no better time to gather the kids and start organising a family cycling holiday in France. Cycling as a family is a great way to bond, relieve stress, and keep everyone healthy and active. Introducing your kids to cycling from an early age helps to develop their sense of adventure and an appreciation for the environment. It also limits screen time and teaches lifelong healthy lifestyle habits.
Although younger kids are unlikely to manage long or challenging cycle trails, you can still make memories and discover many great locations along the family cycling routes in France. Frog Bikes collaborated with the world’s most iconic cycling event to develop our Tour de France bike range for this very reason, to provide children of all ages with high-performance, lightweight bikes ideal for general use or for taking on adventures that are fit for future champions.
If the sound of a family cycling holiday in France appeals, here’s a look at these five family cycling routes in France to suit all ages.
5 incredible family cycling routes in France
Spend a day exploring the family cycling routes in France at Château de Chambord, Loire Valley (Easy - all ages. 1 Day)
Spend a fabulous day with your family cycling in France. Experience and discover the delights of Château de Chambord and its impressive 13,000-acre estate in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire. This beautiful French Renaissance château has over 400 rooms and is the largest in the Loire Valley, built for King Francis I as a hunting lodge. Today, the site is ideal for peddlers of all ages, with easy-to-navigate paved tracks and flat trails running throughout the grounds, forest, vineyard, and game reserve. You can combine a few hours cycling with a tour of the château, a visit to one of the site’s art and cultural exhibitions, lunch at the cafe, or pick up some Château de Chambord brand honey, wine, or souvenirs for your trip home - the kids may even be lucky and spot deer or an eagle en route!
Enjoy family cycling holidays in France along the Burgundy Canal Towpaths (Easy - all ages. 3-7 Days)
The Burgundy region of France is renowned for its beauty, wine, and waterways, making it a great place to base yourself for a few days cycling with the kids. The region is home to the Tour de la Bourgogne, a well-known 872 km cycling route with few inclines and very little traffic, making it ideal for families. The course takes you along pretty greenways backed by rolling vineyards and countryside. You can opt for a lazy day cycling along one of the easy loops or stick to the longer circuit running along the Canal de Bourgogne à Vélo from Auxerre to Dijon, which takes around four days. If little legs get tired, recharge at the Abbey of Fontenay, stop at Château de Commarin, visit the medieval town of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois or stop to explore one of the many other character-packed towns and villages along the way.
Family cycle in France along the greenways of Lyon and ViaRhôna (Easy - all ages. 1-3 Days)
Gather the kids and grab the Frog bikes for a cycling adventure along the secure greenways of the ViaRhôna. Many family-friendly stretches run along the VéloRoute linking Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean, with the area between Jons and central Lyon ideal for safe, traffic-free cycling. Cool off with a swim and some water sports at the Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, a beautiful 2,200-hectare park, or enjoy a picnic in the Parc de la Tête d'Or, all without encountering a single vehicle!
Head from Roscoff to Concarneau on a family cycling holiday in France (Easy - all ages. 7-10 Days)
Let the kid’s imagination run riot with tales of smugglers and pirates by organising a family cycling holiday in France starting from the historic coastal town of Roscoff, northern Brittany. Located opposite Batz Island, this old town is packed with character and steeped in myth and legend, making for an exciting starting point for your family adventure. From Roscoff, head south towards Concarneau, 147 km away. The entire route can be completed in 15-30 km daily sections over a week to 10 days, allowing you lots of time to stop, recharge, and explore the traditional villages and towns like Carhaix-Plouguer or Morlaix on the way. Most of the cycle paths run along quiet lanes, towpaths, forest tracks, and disused railway lines, so they are relatively easy and suitable for all ages.
Family cycling in France from Nice to Cannes (Easy - all ages. 3-5 Days)
If warm sunny days and stunning coastal scenery is called for, the popular family cycling route from Nice to Cannes is an excellent option. Start with refreshments or a croissant at the Café du Cycliste, a famous cyclists’ shop, café, and French patisserie opposite the Old Port in the heart of Nice. From there, set off along the pretty palm-lined Promenade des Anglais towards Cannes. The first 35 km is easy-going and runs along a dedicated cycle path tracing the coastline and affording spectacular views over the Mediterranean. Although most of the route to Cannes is safe and easy to navigate, you will encounter roads and vehicles in the final stages, so some caution is advised. Along the way, enjoy time on one of the many sandy beaches, and make a pit stop for lunch at one of the traditional local restaurants.
Explore the family cycling routes in France with Frog Bikes Tour de France™ range
Frog Bikes is an award-winning British manufacturer of premium lightweight kids’ bikes catering specifically to the needs of young cyclists. Each bike includes many child-friendly features and is designed to be comfortable and easy to handle and ride. From toddlers’ balance bikes to more sophisticated road and hybrid bikes for young teenagers, there’s a Frog bike to suit all ages and abilities.
If you plan to take a family cycling holiday in France this summer, please look at our stylish yellow and black logo Tour de France™ range. Developed in conjunction with the famous cycling event, this range of lightweight Frog bikes is easy to ride, manoeuvre, and maintain, so perfect for taking on any European adventure. For more information, see our Frog Bike Tour de France™ Range.
