Duration: 9-14 days • Distance: 1810-2700 miles • Average daily ride: ±5.75hrs

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Some of Europe's best riding is in France – and I've been exploring the roads there for more than 30 years. While I love the usual riding hotspots like the Alps and Pyrenees, I've found brilliant riding all over the country. This tour brings together my favourite less-well-known areas – with one or two must-see destinations along the way. There's something for everyone, with great towns and villages to stop in, ancient castles and cathedrals to visit, even some Roman ruins. It takes in mountains, gorges, rolling hills and fragrant forests – some of the best scenery in France. 

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This was one of the first tours created for the website and it's been one of the most-popular… and also the most customised. This update adds a day, makes the riding days shorter and the Tour Pack gets five additional daytrips around core locations, so you can expand the trip – up to 14 days, if you have two weeks for your biking holiday. 

 

More than anything, this trip is about getting the most out of the bike, packing in mile after mile of fabulous roads, with the emphasis on relaxed and flowing riding. It's broken down into easily managed daily chunks that would suit pillion couples or groups of riders. Whether it's your first trip to France or you've worn out all the usual destinations, it's a trip that will surprise and delight with superb roads and wonderful places to visit.

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What are the highlights? The further south the trip goes, the more memorable the riding becomes – with amazing roads through the Limousin, the Dordogne, the Tarn Gorges and the Cevennes, before swinging north through the Ardèche, the Velay, the Auvergne and the Morvan. Every day includes at least one stretch that could make it onto your best-road-ever shortlist.

 

But this tour is about much more than just sitting in the saddle. There's loads to see as well so whether you like historic castles, modern monuments or just an unspoiled landscape at its wildest best, this tour has plenty  for you.    

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What’s included on the route? Each day’s route has recommended places to stop for coffee in the morning and afternoon, a suggested lunch stop and planned fuel stops. Tourist attractions along the way are highlighted, so you can pick which to visit. Hotel recommendations are included, too.

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How long is each day’s ride? Each leg of the tour is planned to be a full day in the saddle: check-out of the hotel and on the road around 9am, getting to the next location at 5:30-6pm. That's with stops for coffee and lunch: the aim is for this to be a relaxed ride. Saddle-time rating: five out of 10.

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Why nine days? The tour is designed to fit in with one week off work: set off on Saturday morning, return the following Sunday afternoon. However, if you can give the trip more time, the Tour Pack includes five additional daytrips – stay for two nights in key locations and extend the tour, up to 14 days if you have two weeks off work.

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How is it supplied? Each download is a zip file that contains an interactive eBook of notes plus individual GPX files for each ride, for sat navs and suitable phone navigation apps. However, I strongly recommend getting the Tour Pack which – as well as the additional daytrips – comes with tankbag notes and a marked-up map.

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NB: A version adapted to tie in with the Hull-Rotterdam ferry will follow in the New Year.