Ask someone to name 3 French regions and they would probably list Paris (Ile-de-France), Provence and Loire Valley. Yes, those are among the most popular, but what about the other regions which have just as much to offer?  Discover France has self-guided bicycle and multisport tours all around France and Europe. We have personally mapped out our routes on each of our itineraries to ensure you get to see the best views, chateaux and other buildings, taste the most delicious foods and delectable wines, and fully immerse yourself in the French culture.

As mentioned above each region has many things to offer every traveler. However, most travelers don’t venture out of the most well-known regions and get to experience what other regions offer, like the wines of Alsace or the ancient towns in Brittany or the southern Languedoc landscapes. Here are 5 itineraries we offer that are less known by visitors but have received raving reviews from everyone that has gone on them.

Alsace Wine Route

Alsace cycling travel is a unique experience as you explore a part of the region that is nestled between the beautiful Vosges Mountains in France and the borders of Germany and Switzerland. The famous Route du Vin (Wine Route) encompasses at least 100 wine producing villages between Strasbourg and Colmar, creating some of the best French wines. Alsace also offers gourmet cuisine and has more Michelin star restaurants than any other region. The beauty of its traditional architecture will surprise you with village after village of pretty half-timbered houses decked with brilliantly colored flowers.

Languedoc Canal du Midi

Cycling in Languedoc from Carcassonne takes you on a relatively easy cycling trip along the famous Canal du Midi to finish on the Mediterranean coast at Sete. We include some key cities such as Narbonne and Beziers which offer important historical sites and are yet so typical of this southern France coastal region. Experience the rural French life and southern style while enjoying both the key waterway of the canal and the inviting Mediterranean. This would be a great add on to our Languedoc Best Of tour to make a 2-week visit of the best of Languedoc!

Bordeaux and Dordogne Best Of

Beautiful chateaux, famous wines, and terrific food: what more do you need to experience the real France? This 8 day/7 night cycling tour starts in Bordeaux and then moves into the vineyards including the famous name of Saint Emilion on up to Bergerac. You then travel into the Prehistory region of the Dordogne, Les Eyzies and Sarlat. Discover this countryside mixed with vineyards, chateaux, and the grottos of prehistory. You will pass through some old walled towns, see abbeys, and visit medieval castles during an unforgettable cycling tour!

Brittany to Mont Saint Michel

One of France’s most rugged regions, Brittany is a fascinating mix of spectacular coastline, ancient towns, magical islands and inland woods. This cycling tour starts in Saint Malo and will lead you to the Mont Saint Michel, site of the spectacular and well-preserved Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel at the peak of the rocky island, surrounded by the winding streets and convoluted architecture of the medieval town. The coastal region includes a line of fine sandy beaches interspersed with rocks, reefs, granite headlands and sheer cliffs which are dappled pink and gray in the sun. Brittany is famous for a rich cultural heritage and its architecture: castles, feudal fortresses, and abbeys which are open to visit.

Provence Mutlisport

This 8 day/7 night Provence multisport tour was awarded Best Trip of 2009 by National Geographic Adventure. An “off the beaten path” active trip, you will cycle through the vineyards and forests of the region, hop on a canoe and paddle down the Gardon river, hike through the Provençal mountains, lavender fields and olive-yards, ride a high quality mountain bike on the trails of the Luberon and climb in the trees & zip-line in the adventure park of the Vaucluse… This tour combines several activities to provide you with a unique way to discover this beautiful part of France!