Travelling through France

Hi,

So, my goal is to travel through France, from the Netherlands, through Belgium to the French Alps.

My route is going something like this:

Rotterdam
Dordrecht
Brussel
Charleroi
Reims
Dijon
Lyon
Grenoble

The Dutch and Belgian part isn't worrying me at all. I'm used to that. What I'm worrying about is France. I have no idea how it is to cycle there and if there are any written and unwritten rules I should follow.

I have no idea how it is in France, but in northern Italy, Greece, Spain and other southern country's there are a lot of dangerous dogs walking around (it's in the news quite often that people are being killed by dogs in Italy and Greece). Wolves aren't scary (I probably won't even see one) since they are scared of animals on two legs (humans, bears etc.), but dogs can be very dangerous. I heard it's legal in France to buy pepper spray to protect myself against them. Is that true and if so, where can I buy it?

I've been bitten quite a few times by dogs as a child and young adult so I am naturally scared of them which won’t help me at all. I don't understand their emotions so I can't predict what they are going to do. Even just having pepper spray might make me more confident around them so that they will leave me alone. And have it as a protection just in case. (I'm a vegetarian and have been that for the last 18 years. I don't want to hurt an animal at all, pepper spray hurts but it doesn't do permanent damage the eyes of a dog so it's probably one of the best ways to get rid of them)

It isn't the Middle Ages !

I've done a good few miles in France and never had any problems with wolves.
Even the dogs seem well behaved.
I would save the pepper spray for the amourous french men !

As I said, I'm not afraid of the wolves. The dogs are a much bigger problem. Even dogs with an owner can be very dangerous for cyclists, a wild dog can be much worse. They live in packs and are not afraid of humans (unlike wolves).

pedal faster !

but really, i didn't have any incidents with dogs in 2,000 miles in france

Including the French Alps?

Do you have any other tips for cycling in France?

Beware of that french village in The Returned where all the dead are coming back to life.

Pepper spray won't work on them.

Once one has chosen his weapons to fight off packs of wild French dogs.

One has to think of bigger murderous wild animals.
The Alps hosts the wolf:
Les loups du Mercantour - YouTube

The Pyrénées bears:
Videos ours Pyrénées - Avril 2013 - YouTube

You are right to be concerned about the French wildlife. I was once chased down and attacked by a marauding horde of baguettes with hostile intent. Sadly I didn't survive.

France has bears?!

france is wonderful to cycle in, don't worry about it

i got chased by a wild dog in croatia, just stop, put the bike between you and the dog, and show it who's boss

it should back down

Will be cycling through France this summer. Starting in Le Havre and finishing in La Ciotat are my only fixed points but I have arrived on the following route by trying to stay close to national parks and away from major cities as I'm hoping to camp/wild camp.

Keen to know if I'm missing out on anything amazing or passing through anywhere too dreary. Any recommendations appreciated.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Le+Havre,+France/Alen%C3%A7on,+France/Tours,+France/Le+Blanc/Limoges,+France/Padirac/Rodez/Florac/Avignon,+France/13600+La+Ciotat,+France/@46.4396366,-0.8102258,6z/am=t/data=!4m63!4m62!1m5!1m1!1s0x47e02f2395218b7d:0x5bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!1m5!1m1!1s0x47e20b7e7ae11fff:0x7d8429d95e5d1f4!2m2!1d0.091266!2d48.432856!1m5!1m1!1s0x47fcd5b34a979a55:0x40dc8d705388430!2m2!1d0.68484!2d47.394144!1m5!1m1!1s0x47fc6f224f970507:0xb2ec154329e173e9!2m2!1d1.064289!2d46.633239!1m5!1m1!1s0x47f934afe6680461:0x10be4a3159364d11!2m2!1d1.261105!2d45.833619!1m5!1m1!1s0x12acd74b88b4dba9:0x406f69c2f3fc3f0!2m2!1d1.753443!2d44.841613!1m5!1m1!1s0x12b27d9845b9e425:0xaf5750dcd0f72c39!2m2!1d2.575986!2d44.349389!1m5!1m1!1s0x12b382b8c828b703:0x448457c791636700!2m2!1d3.593714!2d44.324014!1m5!1m1!1s0x12b5eb8739bc9d07:0xe6429b6efa1d7b36!2m2!1d4.805528!2d43.949317!1m5!1m1!1s0x12c9af63ace8b8e5:0x40819a5fd9703d0!2m2!1d5.605155!2d43.173653!3e1!4e1

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I did most of the route outlined in the book 'France En Velo'. If you're unsure of the route you want but that's your direction; get the book.

It starts in St Malo a little West of where you want to start and goes a similar route. It felt strange to me to follow a set route for the entire way before actually going, but I downloaded it and just followed the directions. I wild camped with a hammock most of the way and loved it. Quiet routes, lovely quaint towns and villages, stunning scenery.

I 100% recommend it.

Cheers, will definitely check it out.

Getting out of Le Havre via the big bridge is the first major hurdle. I failed.

Thanks for the heads up!

This looks interesting!

I'm doing the same kind of route this summer. Leaving beginning of June.

Yeah, finding the way into that bridge can be a right pain depending on the direction you come from. When I did it a kind motorway maintenance man escorted me a short distance along the motor way until I could get onto the cycle lane

It's a little out of your way but I'd recommend the stretch of road from Albi, up the river tarn and under the millau viaduct. The viaduct is an awesome site

August for me. Let us know how you get on.

Cool, will try and work it in.