Biking and swimming

Unless you’re going to bring your own bikes, one place to start would be to determine where you’re renting them, and from whom. Maybe, though, you first want to pick where you’re going in France, then find a rental outfit. Determine whether they’ll deliver bikes to you, pick them back up (especially if you’re going one way, and not returning where you’re starting), or where the shop is for you to pick up and return. Do they rent helmets (if you’re not bringing you own), locks, and other gear? What are the prices, and just what do you get for that price?

As for location, how steep are you wanting, or willing, to climb on bikes? The Pyrenees in the southwest, or the Alps on the eastern border, are serious mountains, to either embrace or avoid, depending on one’s inclination. Swimming, though, would either be swimming pools or lakes.

If the desired swimming part would involve the ocean, consider Brittany, in the northwest. The Tour de France passes through regularly, and you could search for past routes in the Internet for ideas and inspiration. The Mur de Bretagne, although not a major mountain, is a substantial climb that’s featured on many past Tours.

We went by rental car. not bicycle, but that trip included the Granit Rose coast, Brest, Pont Aven, Josselyn, Quimper (aka Kemper), Concarneau, and Lorient. Lots of great beach sites, and a different feel from the rest of France.

Another possibility is biking along canals, like the Canal du Midi. Old canal towpaths that were once used for animals to tow canal boats are now great for biking. I wouldn’t personally want to swim in the canal, but I know that some people do.

Kelly,
France is over 244,000 square miles, with a huge variety of landscapes, topography and weather. Which part of France are you envisioning in your dream? And which type of swimming...Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, canals, rivers, lakes? And what time of year? What months?
It is hard to give suggestions for such a very broad question. How do you see yourselves, both in biking or swimming? What image comes to mind? Please give it some thought and come back with some parameters so forum members can be of help.

Have you considered securing a self-guided bike trip, perhaps molded to your specific requirements? I've booked many self-guided bike trips in Europe through Bike Tours dot com. It's a firm based in America with excellent staff and connections with bike touring firms throughout Europe. The firm has a solid website where you can search common trips. If you don't find one that's suitable, call and talk to staff....as not all possible trips are listed. My routine is to book a route that suits us and when in Europe, make our way to the start city/hotel. Detailed bike route information is supplied. In addition, representatives from bike firms meet us at the beginning accommodations, provide the bikes and adjust as necessary. The firms are available to fix problems mid-trips and gather the bikes at the conclusion of the routes.

One starting resource for you to explore will be https://www.freewheelingfrance.com/

They have regional info on bike hire, self-guided trips, routes and more.

For many years, the Île de Ré and the Île d'Oléron have consistently ranked among the top 10 vacation spots for the French, and they are also right at the top of the list for biking and swimming. These two neighboring islands are located just south of Brittany.

So it is safe to say they have to be part of your trip given what you are looking for, any French person would tell you the same.

HOwever there is a difference in style, though: the Île de Ré is loved by trendy Parisians known as "bobos" (short for bourgeois-bohème), while the Île d'Oléron is more natural and wild.

Both islands feature countless scenic cycling routes on completely flat terrain, loads of sandy beaches, and plenty of bike rental shops. You can access both islands via a bridge (though it is a toll bridge for the Île de Ré).

Île de Ré

https://www.iledere.com/en/

Île d'Oléron

https://www.oleron-island.com/discover

Personally, I prefer the Île d'Oléron and its vibe where I go from time to time. I only go to the Île de Ré when I want to show off a little. :-)

Was just going to post what JoLui so effeciently explained. I would also suggest looking at Île de Ré or Île d'Oléron. They are both made for biking and swimming. And are beautiful.
You could also look at Cap Ferret and Arcachon area. Lots of biking around as well as swimming. Some parts of Cap Ferret also have many "bobos" ;-) but it's a great place to spend a vacation too.

Just an addition, if you should choose to go to Ile de Re and/or Ile d'Oleron....they are not that far from Bordeaux, and if you have a few extra days, Bordeaux deserves a visit of about 3 days. It is undervisited, IMO, by Americans.

OOps, my booboo! I didn't mean the two iles, I meant if you are near Arcachon, Bordeaux is not far. Sorry!

Judy wasn't all that far off regarding Bordeaux and the two islands, there is actually a route from Bordeaux via the D1215 that takes you through the Médoc vineyards and includes a ferry crossing across the Gironde Estuary (it’s easy, like going through a highway toll booth, and then you're on the ferry. There are between 10 and 20 crossings a day depending on the time of year). Once you cross the estuary, you arrive in Royan, just 40 minutes from Oléron.

Alternatively, taking the standard highway route takes a little over 2h to reach Oléron (a bit longer for Ré) provided you don't stop in Cognac to visit the cellars. :-)

https://www.guide-bordeaux-gironde.com/en/experiences/weekend-et-holidays/article-the-bac-le-verdon-royan-all-you-need-to-know-about-crossing-the-gironde-estuary-158.html

Hello. It would be helpful to know what time of year you plan to swim and whether waves are a concern for you. On some coasts—such as northwestern Brittany—the water remains cool even in summer. Other west-facing coasts experience heavy surf; for example, the stretch between the Gironde estuary and Spain. You can get an idea of ​​water temperatures in France by month and day here; simply change the date in the input fields. On the Atlantic coast, from La Rochelle down to the Basque Country, the water is pleasant from late June through at least September. As previously mentioned, the Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron are great choices, offering plenty of sheltered beaches. https://www.meteociel.fr/observations-meteo/temperature-de-la-mer.php?jour=15&mois=8&annee=2026&mode=0&region=&sub=OK

kellyotis4,
Do any of the suggestions sound interesting to you? It still would be helpful to know when and for how long you wish to travel, and more details about your swimming wishes and biking levels. ???

Thank you all for these helpful ideas!! We are thinking of going late spring, May ish or September, for 7-10 days. My son has been a mt bike guide, but the rest of us are more 25 mile road/gravel types. I’m just starting to explore ideas and was feeling a little overwhelmed so these all give me good ideas to think about. Thank you!!🙏

As experienced cyclists, if you are looking for serious riding, while Oléron and Ré islands are ideal for swimming starting in the summer months, they might not be what you are looking for. These spots are popular with city dwellers who only ride occasionally for casual leisure rides on dedicated bike paths, and the terrain is completely flat.

In May, given the sea temperatures, there really aren't any places suitable for swimming. Your best bet would be the Mediterranean coast, which also offers great cycling outside of major urban areas. This region stretches from Provence in the southeast all the way to the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains near Perpignan in the southwest, and September would actually be a much better time to go than May. That gives you a massive 500-kilometer stretch of coastline to explore and a wide variety of landscapes and local characteristics that are covered by various travel guides.

It is up to you to do some further research to see what appeals to you. You can start here:

https://en.francevelotourisme.com/