St Malo to Nice

Day 1

Leaving the walled town of St Malo you will follow the rocky Breton coastline to Cancale, a pretty fishing port. Leaving here, the route takes you around the Bay of Mont St Michel to one of the most famous places in France. A shorter day, but it would be wrong not to explore the famous abbey at Mont St Michel. We stay just beyond in a comfortable hotel with excellent restaurant. (51 miles).

Day 3

In mileage terms a longer day but the terrain is not arduous and everyone always makes good time and gets into a good rythmn on this day; you will make good time to Angers with ample opportunity to wander around this lovely city. The second half is all following a river and the first crosses very gently undulating farmland. (70 miles).

Day 5

Today you will really start to feel like you are exploring rural France as the route heads into the delightful Creuse region. A stop for lunch by a ruined chateau is our recommendation, in one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.  We continue to a well-preserved market town for the night where our hotel is more simple but clean and near the historic abbey with its UNESCO murals. (55 miles).

Day 7

As well as some climbs there are some great descents, one 5 miles long! This is rural France at its best and some stunning views will open up before you on the way to our lakeside hotel. Enjoy a glass of wine with the view over the lake. (51 miles). 

Day 9

The main event today is the ascent of the Puy Mary, a proper mountain climb. The views at the top are simply spectacular and there is a very good mountain restaurant for an early lunch. Then, enjoy the descent! Another small climb leads to Murat, and another one out of the town, before you cross a plateau leading to St Flour with its dramatic cathedral dominating the town. (48 miles)

Day 11

South of St Flour are several climbs of several kilometres but once again sensible pacing will win the day. You will pass a ruined castle beside a lake, cross a huge dam and then, after our suggested lunch stop, ride along my favourite road in France beside a babbling brook; looking back you can see the high peaks disappearing behind you. Approaching Marvejols there is a fantastic descent which goes on and on and on before a stiff hill and the descent into Mende for the night in our historic hotel by the ramparts. (63 miles).

Day 13

A spectacular ride takes you through the Ardeche Gorge with its 14 viewing platforms from which to marvel at this natural wonder. Don't forget your camera today! Crossing the river Rhone we are now in Provence and our hotel is a real charmer in an historic Roman town with a wonderful terrace on which to enjoy a sundowner after a swim in the pool, with breathtaking views over the countryside. (59 miles).

Day 15

Some lovely riding along quiet roads with remote hilltop villages. You pass through busier Manosque and then one last climb to finally descend into Greoux, a bustling small town with lots of great places to eat and watch the world go by. (48 miles).

Day 17

There are easier and harder section on today’s ride but you will find the kilometres pass quickly as you approach your destination. The first section along the old 'Route Napoleon' is a climb to warm up, and then a pretty section across the plateau before passing the lovely toen of Greolieres, and a final descent along the Col de Vence to the western end of the famous  Promenade des Anglais on the seafront, and journey’s end! (62 miles).

Travel Information

Start: St Malo
Finish: Nice

Unfortunately we are no longer able to take unaccompanied bikes back to the UK due to the new border restrictions, but we can take bike bags / boxes (if notified in advance) and keep them in the vans for the duration of your holiday.

Click here for our Travel Information page.