France

Are you unsure if your legs are up to tackling some of our more moderately graded tours in Dordogne or Provence? Do you want to make your easy-going France cycling holiday a little bit easier? Then opting for E-Bike hire is for you.

By no means "cheating", E-Bikes are commonly being coined as the "great equaliser" in cycling, as you will still pedal the same distance, but the electric rechargeable battery is there to give you a boost when you need it. They are an excellent tool for helping you feel confident on some long days or steeper sections that you may otherwise feel unsure about.

It's possible to upgrade to an E-Bike on almost all our cycling tours in France. However, if it's a tailored E-Biking experience you are looking for, then check out our E-Biking in Provence tour!

Top Tip: Further to the apparent benefits, E-Bikes are actually just great fun to ride, especially on the quiet country lanes in France - that extra zip of pedal power almost takes you back to being a kid again!

Burgundy - The most famous dish is the Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy). This beef stew is made using the distinctive Burgundian red wine, which sets it apart from any other beef stews you may have tried. The beef is slow-cooked and tender, and the stew typically includes carrots, onions, garlic and a bouquet garni (bundle of thyme, parsley and bay leaves) then is garnished with pearl onions, mushrooms and bacon. Usually served with potatoes, this is the perfect hearty meal after cycling in Burgundy. 

Provence - If you are looking for some sugary treats to eat whilst cycling in Provence, then look no further than the Calisson. These diamond-shaped sweets are made with almonds and have a marzipan consistency but with the fruity sweet taste of melon. So stock up and pretend just like they will make it home as gifts! 

Loire - Tarte Tatin, the story goes that two sisters accidentally created the Tarte Tatin at the Hotel Tatin in Lamotte-Beuvron, which they ran in the centre of the Loire Valley in the 1880s. There are many variations of the story, but the most popular is that one of the sisters was trying to make an apple pie but was overworked that day and left the apples cooking in butter and sugar too long. She then tried to save the dish when she smelt burning by putting the pastry base on top of the apples in the pan then finishing it in the oven. When she took it out, she flipped it upside down so that the apples were on the top then served it to the guests, who loved the new dessert, much to her surprise. 

Dordogne - Fraise du Perigord are strawberries grown in the Dordogne region of France and must meet strict criteria to be sold. From sugar content to shine, the strawberries are put through their paces! They have an intensely sweet flavour and must be shipped 48 hours after harvest. So if you are full of deliciously rich food but still have some room for a light dessert, then why not buy some strawberries and ice cream? They won't be hard to find in this strawberry showcasing region.