the second largest World War I American military cemetery in Europe. The route soon turns west towards the beautiful Retz Forest, home to a wonderful variety of fauna including deer, rabbits, hares, foxes, pheasants and even wild boar. Some historic buildings follow: the house in Villers-Cotterêts where Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers, was born; the Donjon de Vez and the Abbaye de Lieu-Restauré in the Automne Valley; the Notre Dame church of Morienval, one of the earliest and finest Gothic churches in France; and finally the immense château of Pierrefonds.
The route then follows a splendid cycle path through the Forest of Compiègne to Compiègne itself, then runs on to the Clairière de l'Armistice site where the World War I Armistice was signed, before returning through the forest to Pierrefonds.
Best time to visit
Late spring, summer, and harvest time in autumn.
Driest months are normally April and August. Winters are cold, and night temperatures stay low until late April. If you plan on camping it might be better to visit in spring or late summer/early autumn as there are few campsites in this part of France – otherwise book in advance for summer.
Above Celliers Dessus on the climb to the Col de la Madeleine (Route 4)
Route 3 The Wine Road and Bas-Rhin: Alsace
Character and terrain
Setting off from the city of Colmar, you soon cycle along the celebrated Route des Vins d'Alsace – the Alsace Wine Road – to Barr, passing through typically quaint Alsatian villages surrounded by vineyards. From Barr the route passes through beautiful woods and climbs up through the Forêt de Haslach to Wangenbourg before a long descent to Saverne. Once more the countryside opens up as you follow the Marne–Rhine Canal from Saverne, then cross flat farmland via a charming cycle path and skirt the southern edge of the forested Vosges du Nord Regional Natural Park all the way to Niederbronn-les-Bains. A wonderful ride up into the Forêt de Niederbronn follows with a visit to the ruined Château de Fleckenstein, situated literally a stone's throw from Germany. Another cycle path, this time through pretty woodland, leads from Lembach to Woerth, after which the path crosses open countryside before a pleasant ride through another forest to Haguenau.
Best time to visit
Summer, and harvest time in autumn.
May and June are normally the wettest months. Winters are cold, and it quite often snows until early spring in the high, forested hills of the Vosges, situated to the west of Colmar and Strasbourg.
Route 4 An Alpine Experience
Character and terrain
Starting in Geneva and finishing in Grenoble, this route crosses Haute-Savoie with a gradual ascent up the Gorge des Eveaux and scenic climbs to the Col du Marais and Col de Tamié before reaching Albertville, home to the Winter Olympics in 1992. The first of three tough climbs encountered on the Tour de France awaits you, to the Col de la Madeleine (2000m above sea level). A giant descent to the Arc Valley is then followed by another magnificent climb to the Col de la Croix de Fer (2067m) with splendid mountain views. The third and final climb is the unforgiving l'Alpe d'Huez (with 21 hairpin bends). As a reward there is a refreshing 25km descent to Vizille with a visit to its grand château, and from there on to Grenoble.
Best time to visit
Summer.
Snow lingers above 3000m throughout the year, and late snowfalls often block high mountain passes well into June. If attempting this route in June, find out whether the passes are open by visiting the local information offices. The valleys are often hot in July and August, while up in the mountains it is noticeably cooler. As with all high mountain ranges the weather in the French Alps can be quite changeable in summer, so be prepared for the occasional thunderstorm. September is normally drier than June, July or August.
Route 5 The Land of Lavender: Provence
Character and terrain
Provence is a colourful patchwork of lavender fields, olive groves, cherry orchards and vineyards, a fabulous part of France for cycle touring. Starting in the historic city of Arles this route visits Alphonse Daudet's windmill and Les Baux-de-Provence before heading east to the spectacular hill village of Gordes and the Abbaye de Sénanque. A tour around Mont Ventoux and the option of cycling up to its summit follows, then a scenic 20km descent down the Gorges de la Nesque to Villes-sur-Auzon and thereafter to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Best time to visit
Late spring to early July, then September to mid-October.
Arles (Route 5)
The south of France, protected by the Pyrénées, is hot in summer and mild in winter. Inland temperatures often reach the mid-30s in summer, so most tourists head for the cooling waters of the Mediterranean. June and July are normally the driest months. Provence often experiences a strong wind, the Mistral, which blows from north to south along the Rhône Valley and is responsible for the ‘lunar’ landscape of the summit slopes of Mont Ventoux, the Windy Mountain.
Route 6 Meadows and Mountains: Pyrénées
Character and terrain
Crossing the heart of the French Pyrénées from east to west, this route starts in Foix, dominated by its imposing château ruins. From here cycle across lush, quiet countryside and through the giant cave known as Grotte du Mas d'Azil to St Girons. High, rolling hills follow as you continue west to St Bertrand-de-Comminges with its landmark cathedral dominating the valley down which the River Garonne flows north from the high Pyrénées. A gradual ascent to Arreau up the Vallée d'Aure is followed by a climb to the Col d'Aspin (1489m) before a long descent to Bagnères-de-Bigorre and on to Lourdes. Follow the long cyclepath that runs from Lourdes to Pierrefitte-Nestalas, ‘La Voie Verte des Gaves’. If you want to try one of the big Tour de France climbs the optional Stage 6 up the scenic Val d'Azun to the Col d'Aubisque provides a spectacular finale.
Best time to visit
June to September.
The mountainous Pyrénées, although not as high as the Alps, can also experience fickle weather conditions in summer, so be prepared for the odd afternoon thunderstorm in July and August. High mountain passes are often not open until late May/early June due to late snowfalls in the spring. July is normally the driest month.
Route 7 Rivers and Castles: Dordogne and Lot
Character and terrain
This circular tour starts in Brive-la-Gaillarde and heads south, crossing the River Dordogne to the charming villages of Carennac and Autoire with their clusters of typically medieval Quercynois houses with brown-tiled turreted roofs, dovecots and towers. The castles of Castelnau-Bretenoux and Montal are visited before an ascent through lovely woods to Figeac.
From Figeac cycle alongside the unspoilt River Célé for almost 50km to its meeting with the River Lot and the magnificent hill village of St Cirq-Lapopie. Follow the Lot west through Cahors and Luzech with vineyards bordering the river, then cycle across hilly country to the massive castle of Bonaguil and the bastide town of Monpazier before once again crossing the Dordogne. Travelling east along its northern bank you encounter yet more impressive castles and some of the most
