There are 52 cycling routes throughout France, inviting you to explore the coastline, countryside and valleys in one or two days. The Michelin Weekends by Bike guide describes the routes, practical information and good addresses.

Cycling weekends, 52 destinations in France

The Michelin guide Week-ends à vélo, 52 destinations en France offers an exploration of France from a cycle tourism perspective, designed for lovers of 1 or 2-day cycle tours.

This latest edition brings together 52 itineraries selected from all over France, from the Atlantic coast to the valleys of the East, via the central regions and the Mediterranean rim. The routes are suitable for one- to three-day outings, whether solo, with friends or family.

Who is it for?

This guide is aimed primarily at amateur cyclists, families and groups of friends who want to cycle on accessible routes for one or two days. The routes are designed for all-purpose bikes, mountain bikes or electric bikes, and alternate between roads, cycle paths and greenways. Some routes are specifically identified as family tours, with moderate levels of difficulty, adapted distances and plenty of opportunities to take breaks.

It is therefore aimed at all cyclists looking for a leisure activity: discovery, touring, regional tourism and occasional cycle tourism, ideal for those who are looking for routes that are easy to organise, often linear or in a loop to return to the starting point, giving priority to the pleasure of discovery, sometimes with additional variants to increase the difficulty or duration according to the level of each person.

Which roads and lanes?

In terms of route types, the itineraries favour the following paths:

• national and European cycle routes
• greenways
• towpaths
• small, lightly used roads (local roads, byways, departmental roads)

The routes mainly follow safe, generally well-developed paths that are accessible without specialised equipment, allowing you to enjoy the local natural and cultural heritage in complete peace and quiet.

Maps, digital routes and local recommendations

On each page of the guide, a QR code, a Michelin map and a GPX file of the route, a digital format of the route for mapping applications, facilitate GPS navigation via your smartphone. It allows you to adapt the route to your own pace and plan any detours to suit your mood. The classic map also allows you to set off without your phone, to alternate routes as you wish or to continue in the event of electronic failure.

The guide also includes :

• Recommended addresses for restaurants and gourmet breaks,
• Suggestions for accommodation and places to visit,
• Tips on how to extend your relaxation: activities, natural or heritage sites along the route.

Designed for cyclists who want to get away from it all, the guide allows for flexible organisation: choice of difficulty level, adaptation to the weather and individual pace. The routes are designed to be accessible to a wide range of cyclists, while offering options for those looking for extra challenges or a more intense immersion in the areas they cover.

Practical information about the guide

• Guide format
  400 pages, compact format (13×19 cm, 526g), ideal for accompanying your trip.
  
• Additional information
  Michelin or IGN cycle map to see all the national cycle routes, guides and local maps depending on the routes chosen.

• Where can you find it? In your favourite bookshop or online:

Maps of cycle routes

And to whet your appetite, here is a non-exhaustive map of some quiet cycling itineraries in the regions of France, set against a background map of cycle paths and cycle routes in Europe:

Travel link