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Fun & active travel activities in France

Looking at a few unusual activities while on our France tour this June. (Visiting Tours/Strasbourg/Paris)

Wondering if anyone had done these and has referral’s or feedback.

  1. hot air ballooning in Loire Valley. Looks like it goes over Chenonceau and Amboise area.

  2. Electric biking through Alsace wine villages. Not sure if we should do a tour, or could do this on our own time.

3 Motorcycle with sidecar ride through Paris. It’s a 45 minute ride around louvre/champs elysee/Eiffel tower. Retro tours, the reviews are all excellent.

Have y’all done anything really memorable you would recommend?

Posted by
920 posts

Have done the hot air balloon ride over the Loire Valley……so special. We were staying in Amboise and caught the balloon down the road from there…..they take you up in the early morning or late afternoon….we chose the late afternoon and sailed over Chenonceau and the countryside near it…….18 people in our balloon and 9 other balloons were up when ours was……a beautiful afternoon for a bucket list item!

Posted by
589 posts

We also loved our hot air balloon ride. Read the fine print carefully if you make reservations. The balloons cannot go up in certain weather conditions and some companies will only give a rain check. Not helpful if you are on a tight schedule. I found one company that would refund your money if the balloon couldn't fly. As Jane said it was a bucket list experience. We went in the evening in May and the lighting at dusk was absolutely beautiful.
https://www.aerocom.fr/

Posted by
71 posts

The balloon places I’ve looked at are offering “insurance” for $25, so you can get your money back in case of weather. It does look amazing.

We ballooned over Sedona, AZ about 20:years ago, and it was amazing.

Posted by
95 posts

Not sure if you're looking for a one-day ride or something longer, but my wife and I did a self-guided bike ride through Alsace that included overnight stays in Obernai, Riquewihr, and Colmar.
We biked through fabulous country and tasted wine every day from local vintners. We were on Hybrid bikes, and depending on your fitness, e-bikes might be necessary, as there were some climbs. Great way to see the country and learn Alsatian culture.
https://www.discoverfrance.com/european-tours-destinations/alsatian-wine-bike-route