Categories are tricky. Many regional and town
sites will list lodging possibilities. You will find those under regional
sites, not under lodging. These regional sites can be a wealth of information.
That said, when planning a trip,
I decide what I want to see and where I want to go. Then take a look at my Michelin Maps to decide the best
route. After I have a route I find places to stay. That’s it in a nutshell. It's pretty simple, but it's not a fast process.
I'll add to this list as I find new sites and welcome corrections and suggestions for additions. Just put them in the comments or email me!
I'll add to this list as I find new sites and welcome corrections and suggestions for additions. Just put them in the comments or email me!
Communications: Telephone & Wifi
Useful information for internet
access.
I bought a European phone from
them before my first trip, and for each trip after that have purchased service.
Cultural Venues
Cycling Sites
The
content is mixed here: routes, guided trips, other information.
Suggested touring routes and
things to do, places to stay along the way.
Just what its name says.
Journals, articles, tips. I
prefer Trento's format, but there is also good content here. Check both places
if looking for ideas.
The UK’s national cyclist
organization. Packing tips for bikes and more.
Do not miss Gerry Patterson's
site if you will be in the Languedoc, or are considering the Languedoc. It is a
fabulous site, and I am not telling you that only because I have guest written
a tiny bit.
Mr. Patterson Goes to
Languedoc. Excellent site for Languedoc, companion to Cycling Languedoc, above.
Resources, advice and
stories.
Information on the high passes of
the Pyrenees. Interactive.
www.pedaldancer.com
Super site, especially for the posts on travelling in France and the Tour de France.
http://www.provence-cycling.co.uk/home/advice-and-good-practices/pro-bicycle-policy-in-vaucluse.aspx
Super site, especially for the posts on travelling in France and the Tour de France.
http://www.provence-cycling.co.uk/home/advice-and-good-practices/pro-bicycle-policy-in-vaucluse.aspx
Cycling routes and resources in
Provence.
I've used this site primarily for
their well-organized descriptive material about Pyreneean cols, but have
frequently heard that it is a great organization.
A wealth of trip reports from
all,over the world, and some articles also. Good for inspirations and ideas.
Definitely aimed at touring, not racing.
Excellent resource for planning a
trip in the Cevennes.
Paddy Sweeney's cycling blog, full
of his photos and info on the Pyrenees. Be sure to look if you may be in the
Pyrenees.
Cycling routes in the Aquitaine.
I noticed the signs occasionally along my route during my Pyrenees trip and
they were always on good riding roads. Found the site after I returned to the
U.S.
Italian site, fabulous for
information on climbs world-wide.
The cycling
page of the official French government tourist office. It includes a
long list of web resources.
Basic geographic
information...which departement, what region ... and other travel info.
http://www.francemonthly.com/ http://www.francethisway.com/
http://www.francetourism.com/practicalinfo/regions.htm
http://m.france-voyage.com/en/
Practical, basic info including
maps showing tourist bureau locations by
town or city.
www.routard.com
www.routard.com
French travel guide. Available in paper in bookstores and very handy.You may see their sign in lodging windows; I have had good luck at those establishments.
A web guide to sports and nature
by region.
Language Schools
Worldwide, classes offered in
many cities. This is the Paris site.
Many reputable language schools
carry the FLE designation. Courses vary in length and intensity. They can often
link students up with inexpensive lodging.
Lodging
Chambres d'hotes (B&Bs)
(includes gites)
Camping, including gites and
chambres d'hotes on farms
Hotels
Maps & Route Planning
I buy the yellow, 300-series maps
from them. They have been reliable and shipped quickly.
Helpful for distances and a
general sense of climbs. I understand the mileage to be more accurate than
altitude gains.
Google Earth
Don't forget it, a good free
resource. Street view can sometimes be helpful. It once showed me a busy road,
no shoulder and a guard rail tight on the roadway. Didn't look like happy
riding to me.
Miscellaneous
Park, Regional, Town and Departmental Sites
Don't forget to google the town's you will be visiting to find tourist bureaus, museums, businesses, etc. They include a tremendous amount of useful information. If you can get around in French try google.fr.
Don't forget to google the town's you will be visiting to find tourist bureaus, museums, businesses, etc. They include a tremendous amount of useful information. If you can get around in French try google.fr.
Cevennes National Park site.
www.the-languedoc-page.com/
Dense to look at, but lots of info here.
http://www.laprovence.com/
http://www.parc-pyrenees.com/
Dense to look at, but lots of info here.
http://www.laprovence.com/
http://www.parc-pyrenees.com/
www.tourisme-hautes-pyrenees.com/web/FR/1514-sejours.php?IDhomepage=1503
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk/en/
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk/en/
Trains & Planes
Regional trains. Easy to use with bicycles.
French rail site.
Weather
Current weather and forecasts.
If it is possible to generalize
about weather based on historical data, they will give you the info. Go to
weather history.
Hi Suze, great to read your stuff! I am planning a trip from London to Italy for next year, and for the most part I will be travelling through France. I was wondering if you had any info on 'aire naturelle de camping'? I'm looking to the whole thing on a bit of a budget and a free pitch where I can get it is going to help out a lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Will
Hi Will, Thanks for your note! I think if you go to google.fr and put in "aire naturelle de camping" you will get a good list. It's not free, but you might find good inexpensive camping at the camping on the farm site: www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com/en/
ReplyDeleteThe village and town sites are also often low-cost, and many towns have campgrounds.
I haven't used it, but warmshowers.org offers free reciprocal lodging for cyclists ... you need to join, I think. As far as stealth camping goes, I don't have any real experience, the only free camping I did was at the recommendation of local residents!
Good luck and have fun!