Travelling for work, on my return I have scheduled a three day layover in Paris. I would like to spend most of those three days riding. I’m open to getting out of Paris by train to another part of the country, staying in one spot for a couple nights and riding during the day.
I’m looking for recommendations for a region (I’ve seen places like Loire valley, Annecy, etc.)
If you had three days to ride (~50 miles per day) in France, where would you recommend?
I’ll need to rent a bike - will take my pedals and kit.
Riding Paris can be a rewarding experience. Lot’s to expierence.
I spent a few days in Troyes watching the gravel stage at the tour a couple years ago - we rode the stage the day before and watched the next day. It was my first time in Champagne so I don’t have much to compare it to but it was lovely, plenty of ‘Chemins Blancs (white gravel roads)’ to ride if that’s your thing. Not too far from Paris, about 60 miles north of the Loire Valley so you might be able to combine both.
If you’ve only got a 3 day stopover in Paris there is some quite nice riding around Paris, in outer urban areas such as Yvelines/Vallee de Chevreuse that can be reached easily by bike friendly local trains. There are a few shops in Paris renting decent road bikes, just google it. Or if you want to go further you could do worse than taking the TGV to Dijon (under 2 hours), then renting a bike from someone like CCT rentals. The riding in Burgundy is great, something for everyone.