France 9 day circular bike trip from Calais

[bikenav]

loads of good stuff here from others, my bit- get a map dot as many areas,things you may like to see as possible the more the better then go see them. But dont do them all save some for another trip France is easy and a great place to see.Do what you can on the way down but head south probably south of Clermont-Ferrand.
If you like castles and your anywhere near Auxerre try this place for a twist, came across it by total accident last year on way to Corsica- http://www.guedelon.fr/en/introduction_75.html

[gspod]

Personally I don't think there's any need to do 2 slog days to get down to the south of France.

You just need a day to get south of the Loire, from there the weather and scenery will be great in June. If you want the Alps hit the motorway for 3 or 4 hours and come off at Champagne. But there is also Burgundy, Beaujolais and the Massive Central.

As the rest have said beginning of 1st day and end of last on main roads to avoid the north then just potter around.

Personally I wouldn't plan anymore than that for you're first trip to France: there is a campsite in every village, plenty of restaurants, bakers etc.. just relax and enjoy the beauty and tranquility - you will go back.....many times (thumbs)

Be aware - buy any lunchtime supplies before 12.30/1pm as the shops close also, apart from the big cities, bars and restaurants close early so you won't get a meal much after 8.30pm (except Sat) (thumbs)

[92kk k100lt 193214]

When my kids were young we used to do a 470 mile run between our camp site and the ferry port, basically between Cap Ferret south west of Bordeaux and Roscoff. Diesel car that would do it without needing a refuel, plenty of creature comforts and only 4 of us in the car. Was usually 7 hours drive time plus a 2 hour stop for a lunch/food break. The only reason I got away with it was that I insisted they had a good breakfast and up early, showers etc on the ferry, car fuelled before getting on the ferry. Result- they would sleep the first 4 hours. Lunch was about 5 hours from the ferry so all was good.

Bikes are very different, need at least 2 fuel stops from Roscoff or Cherbourg to Bordeaux and you can't eat or drink on the run so you must stop for liquid and food. I know the road and can plan fuel stops accordingly and have sometimes had 10 miles worth left in the bike. But first time no one will ride like that.

I would do this on my own on the bike but definitely not with a pillion even though I know many who have done it.

Gspod put it nicely. The Loire is a huge weather divide and once you cross it then you are in some very nice territory. This much is easily done on a same day run and gives you anywhere like La Rochelle, Cognac and much more. The municipal camp site at Cognac is on the river Charente and even has boat rides, bus to town centre, some really nice bike roads like Cognac to Angouleme.

Use the first trip to check things out and see what's there. Our holiday there in 2015 was at a riverside municipal camp site we spotted riding round in 2014 and decided there and then that it would be our base for 2015. All in 2 weeks camping in 2015 cost us the huge sum of €47 each.

12-4pm are closed hours almost everywhere and on Sunday supermarkets generally open only 8-12. Buy supplies early. If you are travelling a fuel stop about 4.30 or so can be ok, if you go for a supermarket where you can buy food. Otherwise its Macdonalds all the way but they are also good for drink stops.

The guys had a laugh last time when I insisted on bringing a thermos flask with me. But in the end it was so useful, could fill it with COLD water and enjoy a cool drink at a stop. In hot weather buy a 1 litre ice cold bottle, drink half and put the remainder in a half litre flask. I also have a 1 litre flask that I fill with ice cubes, available anywhere in France and great for camping. Amazing having iced drinks camping....For two of you I would bring a 1 litre flask and start the day with having it filled with ice cold water. Settled inside a thin but super efficient cool bag is good for keeping other stuff from getting too warm. This means you can choose to stop at any nice place you see.....

On the other hand when you have seen a few of the nice roadside places, tables and parasols outside you WILL succumb to the French love of stopping and parking the bikes beside the table for an Orangina, a café or even a café gourmand!! That's when you find you cant do 300 miles in a day.

When you are coming home drain the flask and fill it with whiskey which in France is a fraction of the UK price........

[-Ralph-]

With the unpredicable weather of recent years the Loire Valley has still had pretty wet summers. For the past two years in July I've found I needed to get as far south as Limoges.

[JJay51]

Limoges is a good 1st day down, anywhere south of there gets better

[PHILinFRANCE]

And another 1.45hrs south will get you to Jax Shack :whistle:

[SimonKTM]

I think wherever you end up going you will enjoy the trip, just don't try to do too many miles each day especially two up with luggage or you may tire yourself out and not enjoy the trip as much, break it up with full day stops