Top 5 most beautiful places in France to ride an electric mountain bike #2
This year, you've decided to try out the famous electric mountain bike you've been hearing about for weeks, if not months! So, are you ready to ride in total freedom on the beautiful French roads?
After the GTMC, the Echappée Jurassienne, the Massif des Vosges, the Luberon and the Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil, here are 5 other destinations that will win you over for a ride lasting from a few hours to several days. We're sure you'll enjoy pedalling your electrically-assisted mountain bike (EABV) at your own pace!
Top 5 most beautiful places in France to ride an electric mountain bike #1
The Allier by electric mountain bike: between mountains and water!
Photo credit : Aloha Studio
In the centre of France lies a land populated by the indomitable Bourbonnais. Their department is just as famous for being the birthplace of the Bourbon royal line as it is for its traditional dishes based around pâté: with potatoes, pears (piquenchagne) or meat.
So there's nothing better than a trip on an electric mountain bike along the paths of the Allier! There are plenty of routes and landscapes to choose from: join the GTMC (Grande Traversée du Massif Central), which crosses the department from north to south for almost 150 km, and enjoy a cultural break in Moulins, wine tasting in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, mustard tasting in Charroux or a beauty break with cosmetics produced by the Benedictine nuns at Chantelle Abbey! The itinerary can be split up to suit all levels.
The Allier has routes as varied as its landscapes: in the Montagne Bourbonnaise, the 15 mountain bike trails in the Bois Noirs massif offer the chance to explore the panoramas and wilderness, while building up your calves over the steep gradients!
Alternatively, you could opt for the gentler terrain of the Tronçais forest, with a 19km route that invites you to take a relaxing, contemplative stroll among the forest's remarkable oak trees. This oak forest, the most beautiful in Europe and awarded the Forêt d'Exception® label, was reforested on the initiative of Colbert in the 17th century.
But the Allier is first and foremost a land of water: as well as the river of the same name, discover the Sioule valley and its Vert Plateau mountain bike base, which offers 13 circuits accessible at different levels, as well as a range of facilities for looking after your bike (washing station, repair kit, etc.). For optimum comfort, why not hire an electric mountain bike from Un Vélo à la Campagne?
Mais l’Allier est avant tout un territoire d’eau : outre la rivière du même nom, découvrez le val de Sioule et sa base VTT du Vert Plateau qui propose 13 circuits accessibles à des niveaux différents ainsi que plusieurs équipements qui permettent de prendre soin de votre monture (station de lavage, kit de réparation…). Pour un confort optimal, pourquoi ne pas louer un VTT électrique auprès d’Un Vélo à la Campagne ?
For more information on electric mountain biking in the Allier, go to velo.allier-tourisme.com
Electric mountain biking in Ariège: the Pyrenees at its best
Photo credit : ADR Ariège Pyrénées
A land of peaks and panoramic views, the Ariège is a land of thrills for anyone setting off on an electric mountain bike. With its steep, mountainous and sometimes hilly terrain, it's the Pyrenees' premier destination for mountain biking. On the Chemin des Bonshommes, the Sentier Cathare or the mountain bike trails, it's impossible to get bored here! And with good reason: the playing fields are endless. The programme includes
- 1,460 km of trails or single tracks of varying degrees of technical difficulty, with almost 75 mountain bike routes divided into 5 distinct mountain bike areas (3 of which are FFC-approved)
- 5 bike parks accessible by shuttle bus or chairlift for descents on marked, groomed trails: a total of more than 80 km of trails, with impressive vertical drops ranging from 300 to 1,400 m.
So saddle up and take a deep breath of Ariège!
Photo credit : ADR Ariège Pyrénées
For more information on electric mountain biking in the Ariège, go to https://www.ariegepyrenees.com/preparer/faire-du-velo/vtt/
Electric mountain biking in the Gard, from the Cévennes to the Mediterranean
For a new perspective on the South, head for the Gard in all its dimensions! The hills of the Cévennes, the vineyards of Provence (to be enjoyed on a guided tour), the wild expanses of the Camargue and, here, the Mediterranean in all its intense beauty... The possibilities for electric mountain biking are as varied as the landscapes you'll pass through.
Photo credit : Gard Tourisme
From north to south, many areas of the Gard are equipped and signposted: the Causses and the Cirque de Navacelles, the Cèze valley, the Uzège, the Gorges du Gardon, the Vidourle valley, the Camargue and the coast.... Half-day, full-day, weekend, multi-day or week-long excursions are all possible. It's up to you to match them to your expectations! There are plenty of bike hire companies and professional guides in the department, who will be able to advise you. And don't forget to pick up the new "VTOPO Gard", the departmental mountain bike guide!
So, are you ready to take your "re'Gard" in all directions?
For more information on mountain biking in the Gard, go to https://www.tourismegard.com/accueil/bouger/randonnees-a-pied-a-velo/a-velo
The Verdon, an Eldorado for electric mountain bikes
Photo credit : TransVerdon
At the gateway to the Alps, the Verdon is an Eldorado for mountain biking. From technical trails to twisting climbs, every route you take is an opportunity to discover sumptuous panoramas in the Verdon Regional Nature Park.
The Verdon mountain-biking offer is based around 2 mountain-biking areas: the Provence Verdon mountain-biking area (1,100 km, 51 trails) and the Des sources aux gorges du Verdon mountain-biking area (650 km, 51 trails). Each area offers signposted, well-maintained trails at 4 different levels of difficulty, offering a variety of routes for everyone and allowing you to spend several days on the same site without getting bored. The first area covers 18 communes to the west of the Verdon, between wooded hills, lake shores and low gorges, or in the heart of the lavender fields on the Plateau de Valensole. The second area features the Haut Verdon massifs and the famous Grand Canyon du Verdon... Thrills guaranteed!
The ultimate adventure for experienced and well-trained mountain bikers is the legendary TransVerdon, a 260km long mountain bike crossing with a VTTAE option. Departing from the Col d'Allos at 2250 metres, on the edge of the Mercantour, you will ride through superb mountain scenery, overlooking the Lac de Castillon and then the Gorges du Verdon from Castellane. Rougon, La Palud-sur-Verdon and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie will enchant you, as will the exceptional descent to Lake Sainte-Croix. The route ends in Gréoux-les-Bains after passing through the lower gorges and the Lac d'Esparron, the final jewel in the crown. It's a physical, technical, fun and breathtaking itinerary.
Photo credit : TransVerdon
Find all the mountain bike routes in the Luberon and Verdon on the Vélo Loisir provence website: https://www.veloloisirprovence.com/page/les-itineraires-velo-vtt
We weren't lying to you: France is a fantastic playground for cyclists of all ages! Make sure you're well equipped so you can enjoy your outings in complete safety, and never hesitate to seek advice from our partners such as Lecyclo.com or the retailers in the Cyclable shops!
