Cycling across France to Switzerland

thanks leo ill check it out

Info so far has been great to read, I'm cycling from paris to montpellier two weeks today. Has anyone here been on such a route before? If so any pointers would be great, also... there are so many maps to choose from! I noticed a reccomendation of a 1:200 000, anyone able to give a link to a map they used?

(We are doing this geared w/panniers :) )

Michelin maps are very good. They do a 1:150000 range which show the minor roads in better detail than the 1:200000 range. You can get them from Stanfords on Long Acre in Covent Garden.

Are you going to head south west from Paris or head towards Lyon and then down the Rhone valley?

it would mean a little detour but i'd recommend riding along the river from Millau to Albi. Takes you down a beautiful gorge with high cliffs/ hills on each side with stunning views over the river.

Also takes you under the Millau viaduct (tallest vehicular bridge in the world)...

Lyon and then down the Rhone valley?
....is what we are planning to do.

We only really started looking yesterday so if there are any big suprises you know of, please let me know ... !

We are staying for a week just north of Montpellier in a family friends holiday home in a quiet historic town....typical that they are the 'traditional english' type and have no ideas for us... :(

it would mean a little detour but i'd recommend riding along the river from Millau to Albi. Takes you down a beautiful gorge with high cliffs/ hills on each side with stunning views over the river.

Also takes you under the Millau viaduct (tallest vehicular bridge in the world)...

wow, that place looks amazing. inspiring photo!

Yeah. The place is really amazing!
Congrats for this trip.. It might not be easy..
You guys rock

hey, I dont know if you've left already so this may be no use.

But I just cycled 500 miles through france. We caught the eurostar to paris, cycled to Dijon, then Limoges. We camped sauvage and it is totally possible - I worried I wa being a bit naive in thinking that there would be places to sleep off the beaten track, but there was. The best thing to do is look for water as you can generally find unused bits of land, and you can have a wash as well.

We couldnt have survived without tents, sleeping bags, cooking stuff, deodorant, several padded shorts, eco shower gel, toothbrush and paste, waterproofs, map, zip ties, pump, repair kit.

You DONT need to bring 3 summer dresses, more than 2 t-shirts, make-up, felt tip pens
( I learnt the hard way)

hey, I dont know if you've left already so this may be no use.

But I just cycled 500 miles through france. We caught the eurostar to paris, cycled to Dijon, then Limoges. We camped sauvage and it is totally possible
( I learnt the hard way)

Hi there, Haven't left yet! Flying on wednesday next week! How was the cycling out of Paris? And also, the route to Dijon?, as we are taking similar starting route just south of your course heading to Lyon.

We actually changed our minds from B&B'ing to camping last weekend. We have brought our tent but hadn't considered the idea of camping sauvage. I'm guessing its legal? Because waking up to the police would be a pain! How easy was it to find places suitable.

Cheers

Yeah, well easy!! I was surprised- like I said, look for water, or signs that say "plan d'eau." Yes, it is legal, you need to be a certain distance away from the road, and from houses, not sure how far exactly, but its pretty obvious stuff.

They also have a lot of picnic areas by the sides of roads. You can camp there, and cook on the tables.

Route to Dijon was mostly flat til the last 100 K.

Paris was fine- oh, but I'd suggest bringing a compass, so that you can head south to get out. We headed to Orly airport. There is a road that run through some dodgyish areas but runs parallel to the motorway. Dont go on the motorway. If you map has an "E" road, thats a motorway - dont go on it!

Any more questions feel free to PM me.

Good luck and post pictures!!
Anna