France  Bike Tour Reviews (page 14)

  • Alsace Wine Country
    (4/5) Allen September 20, 2017

    Fabulously beautiful towns and good routes

    · Alsace Wine Country

    Bike Tours was excellent. Very helpful.
    E bikes helped. Good bikes
    Routes were varied and interesting with few busy roads.
    Route maps were frustrating at times because some roads poorly marked.
    Escape Rondonne's Thomas was poor for the introduction meeting- rushed and confusing; but the company did handle our bags well.

    What was the date of your tour?
    9/16-20/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    18
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 3/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • (4/5) ozfamily September 20, 2017

    Beautiful Trip Needs Logistics Tweaks

    · Alsace Wine Country

    The positive: The route after the first day is spectacular - beautiful canals, villages, vineyards. Accommodations mostly fine, but see the needs improvement section. We especially liked the hotel in Sermersheim - tiny town but lovely place to stay. Bikes were great.
    Needs Improvement: The first day out of Strasbourg is mostly a wasted day. Even the person who gave us our orientation the first day said there is really nothing to see this first day. Coupled with the fact that it is a hellacious route to get out of Strasbourg - very complicated and not well explained by the guide or by the instructions given to us, I would have started the tour on day two (save for the accommodations that first night). Also, the instructions are not always accurate. Sometimes they said we could eat lunch in certain towns, but there were not places available, based on day of the week closures. It would be helpful to note towns where train stations are available in case someone is sick or injured.... I would not have people stay in Barr - there was absolutely nothing to do and most places to eat were closed.

    What was the date of your tour?
    9/15/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    0
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 3/5 Value
    • 3/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 2/5 Local tour company services
    • 3/5 Route selection
    • 2/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • (4/5) Biabattistella September 18, 2017

    A great trip

    · Freiburg and the Alsatian Wine Road

    The trip was great, the landscapes are fantastic, the little villages are very charming, well preserved! What could be better is having gps files for the path. The orientation, sometimes, are not clear and cost some kilometres more!

    What was the date of your tour?
    sept 3 to 10/2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    This is the second
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France, Germany
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 3/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Loire Valley Châteaux & Gardens Tour
    (4/5) Coasters September 18, 2017

    A glimpse of the Loire valley

    · Loire Valley Châteaux & Gardens Tour

    A fabulous way to experience the countryside around the Loire valley. GPS maps made this trip very pleasurable

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept 11-17
    How many tours have you completed?
    5
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 3/5 Local tour company services
    • 2/5 Route selection
  • Bordeaux by Bike and Boat
    (5/5) Menahemisrael September 17, 2017

    Birthday trip

    · · Bordeaux by Bike and Boat: Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne (and reverse)

    The best way to learn about bordeux. Our guide Scott was great

    What was the date of your tour?
    Good
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • Photo 1 (photo by Menahemisrael)
    • Photo 2 (photo by Menahemisrael)
    • Photo 3 (photo by Menahemisrael)
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 2/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Alsace Wine Country
    (4/5) Seawise September 6, 2017

    Post card scenery

    · Alsace Wine Country

    Self guided 5 day tour- very happy with "c" class accommodation. Views and overall ambience great. We were frustrated at times with directions and missing green indicators especially for detours into towns - ended up following what we thought was logical route but lack of green arrows caused us to get lost- sometimes came across a green arrow but it was wrong one and ended up on another route- had to back track. Selestat and Ingersheim particularly bad and finding Riquewihr also hard. When travelling on bike paths- magic. Overall we had great time.

    What was the date of your tour?
    1 sept 2017 to 6 sept.
    How many tours have you completed?
    None
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • (5/5) SarahG August 17, 2017

    Great Trip!

    · Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy

    It was everything I thought it would be.. beautiful French countryside, vineyards, fields of sunflowers, quaint villages, beautiful scenery. The weather was hot and that made the 1st day more challenging than I think it would have been otherwise

    How many tours have you completed?
    This was our first bike tour
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    No
    Countries included in this tour?
    France, Switzerland
    • Seyssel, the first stop. Our hotel on the far right. Dinner on the Rhone! (photo by SarahG)
    • The path to Annecy (photo by SarahG)
    • The Rhone below. (photo by SarahG)
    • Lake Bourget out of Aixe Les Bains (photo by SarahG)
    • Lake Annecy (photo by SarahG)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • (4/5) YQT1 August 11, 2017

    Made me love cycling again.

    · Alsace Wine Country

    Great trip. Hotel choices were quaint but only one had Air conditioning which was unfortunate after long sweaty ride in 35C heat. Would definitely revisit the accommodation choices next time especially in hot summer.

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 4 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    0
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 3/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park
    (4/5) Gennie August 10, 2017

    Southern France in the Summer

    · Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

    The tour of Provence was absolutely beautiful! I suggest anyone considering a trip to France to do this tour, however, not in late summer. Temps exceeded 100 degrees most every afternoon. Tour cue sheets need some tweeking. We had to backtrack on several occasions. The written packet should also include a description of what to expect on that day of tour. Relying on what is written on this website is not always accurate and needs more information. We would have missed some very interesting places if not directed by locals and hotel concierges.

    What was the date of your tour?
    late July/early August 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    several
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 3/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Loire Valley Châteaux & Gardens Tour
    (5/5) Roadbiker August 9, 2017

    Self guided Loire Valley Ride

    · Loire Valley Châteaux & Gardens Tour

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 23-29
    How many tours have you completed?
    First bike tour
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 3/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • (5/5) Philip August 8, 2017

    Bike and Barge in Provence France

    · · Provence by Bike and Boat

    Excellent tour on the Estello. Great accommodations and bikes and people and tour!! Looking forward to booking our next biking adventure through biketours.com.

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    First package tour.
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • (5/5) Megb August 8, 2017

    A Fantstic Experience

    · · Provence by Bike and Boat

    This was the first bike tour we had ever been on and it was better than expected. Our guide was very informative and she really knew the best roads to take to keep the peloton out of traffic. The food on the boat was excellent as
    well as the hand selected wines had. The group of people was diverse and very interesting. We had a lot of fun.

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 1-July 8, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    1
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • (4/5) gsf1 August 8, 2017
    · Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy

    What was the date of your tour?
    7/9/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    2
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France, Switzerland
    • Stage 1: Near Ft. L'Ecluse (photo by gsf1)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • (4/5) Becca August 8, 2017

    Savoie self-bike

    · Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy

    Taste the cuisine and drink the wine of Savoie, swim in pristine lakes, visit medival villages, castles, and vineyards.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Jul 30
    How many tours have you completed?
    3
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France, Switzerland
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Dordogne Valley
    (5/5) Tony July 16, 2017

    Tour for all ages

    · Dordogne Valley: Between the Dordogne and Lot Rivers

    I really enjoyed the way we were all so well loked after along the trip. The accommodation was great, the meals delicious, the rides were well organised, and the tour leader Bernard, was perfect for the mixed group of riders that we had. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take part in the tour.

    What was the date of your tour?
    8/7/17 -15/7/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    about 10
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park
    (5/5) Ellen June 30, 2017

    Everything We Dreamed Of!

    · Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

    This bike tour was perfect in every way. The guide was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and fun! The food was superb, the hotels delightful, and the scenery was amazing. We rode mostly on smaller, off-the-beaten-track roads - some paved, some gravel - which was easy on the hybrid Trek bikes. Each day brought new vistas, small cafes in tiny villages, and great camaraderie among the travelers. It was very hot when we did this trip, but we stopped often which, for us, made the trip even better as we got to really see and experience each place along the way. I would say that this tour is not for the novice bike rider, as some of the climbs in the mountains were challenging but it was exactly what we had hoped for - lots of smooth, flat and lots of uphill into the scenic old villages of the Alpilles and in Luberon. Some training is suggested for the long days in the saddle or if you go during the hottest part of the summer. Overall, this trip was exactly what we dreamed of!

    What was the date of your tour?
    June 17-24
    How many tours have you completed?
    1
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Loire a Velo
    (5/5) JW25 June 27, 2017

    Loire Valley Self Guided Bike Tour

    · Loire a Velo: Orleans to the Atlantic

    The trip was so interesting with beautiful scenery and good weather.

    What was the date of your tour?
    May 29/17 to June 8/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    3
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 3/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Coastal Normandy and WWII History
    (4/5) Brendan June 21, 2017

    Extraordinary Adventure

    · Coastal Normandy and WWII History

    Disclaimer: I wanted to show my kids the Normandy battlefields and we did just that. And my youngest child, an eight year old rock star, was on this trip which is not normal. But it also made it extraordinary. She biked every mile on the route btw! But buyer beware! This may not be the trip for you!

    The positive points:

    1. Good hotels. Especially Le Grand Hard (near St.Marie du Mont); it is extraordinary and you won't want to leave. It's a 15 minute bike ride from Utah Beach. That is not the case for the other hotels.

    2. Good bikes and service. Dropping off the bikes on the first night, David was prompt, professional and made the fitting fun and easy. All the bikes performed as advertised.

    3. The countryside is extraordinary - even without the famous and inspiring battlefields. Each beach is different and each day is different. I definitely recommend going from east to west!

    4. Some concerns: the GPS and route maps are almost worthless considering the technology on your phone. Google Maps, especially, had
    better bike routes than what the guidebooks were describing. The GPS units are way out of date and I would NEVER suggest this trip without a working phone with Google Maps! It saved the day often - especially for side trips and accurate mileage and arrival times. The tour company should get updated with current technology ASAP!

    5. The return trips to Caen and Bayeaux take away from time at battlefield museums and introduce unnecessary busy roads. There are closer hotels near the beaches. Bayeaux was lovely and the tapestry a highlight but the mileage was too unbalanced.

    Everyone at Biketours.com was super friendly and helpful. Food was good. But bring your phone with a good data plan! Because without it, you will be lost and probably going the wrong way. Lots of beautiful little country roads in Normandy. You will be tired every night!

    What was the date of your tour?
    June 11-17
    How many tours have you completed?
    More than 10/First for family
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • Photo 1 (photo by Brendan)
    • Photo 2 (photo by Brendan)
    • Photo 3 (photo by Brendan)
    • 3/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 1/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 2/5 Route selection
  • Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park
    (5/5) freemand2b June 13, 2017

    Provence Bike trip

    · Provence’s History, Landscapes, and Luberon National Park

    We arrived a day early and the tour operator provided us bikes to use that day which we spent riding through and around Avignon. France is a very bike friendly place. We were the first of the season and the tour operator came in person to orient us. We were self guided group of four. Two of us speak French but one could easily do this with English only. We have been to Europe many times (first time on a bike ride) and in the past some 3 star hotels could be marginal but I have to say the quality of the hotels exceeded my expectations. Hotel operators were very nice and welcoming. We were given a recommendation for dinners. Some we used others not depending on how we felt that evening. The landscape and tour route was excellent and we were able to visit many different sites and points of interest. We took a few wrong turns but in general the provided maps and instructions were good. Google maps was a good compliment. The luggage was there waiting at each of the next hotels with no issues. The only thing I wish is that we had extra days at each of the stays to explore the towns more. Had a great time.

    What was the date of your tour?
    May 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    1
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Loire a Velo
    (5/5) CamL June 8, 2017

    Exceptional bike tour

    · Loire a Velo: Orleans to the Atlantic

    A wonderful bike trip through beautiful scenery including lovely farmlands and iconic french villages. Plus easy cycling.

    What was the date of your tour?
    May 29-June 6
    How many tours have you completed?
    3
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)