There are times when you just want to ride your bike on your own, with your significant other, or even with your family and still put in some good miles. You don’t want to deal with the stress and the competitive factor that most cyclists bring with them to everything they do, or be around a group of people you don’t know on an organized cycling trip.
In other words, if you want a low-key active adventure, where you can move at your own pace and even indulge in some basic tourism, and you plan to spend time in France, specifically Paris, a five hour train trip to the south of the country can open the door to an active adventure in Les Cévennes d’Ardèche.
About Cévennes d’Ardèche and Activities Available
The region, as mentioned, is in the south of France. Here you can experience not only cycling but hiking, canoeing, swimming, and exploration of charming French villages. While Paris is an amazing city and offers many delights, the French countryside contains the real, scenic, and historical France with scenery you usually only see during the broadcast of Le Tour de France.
But if cycling is the main activity you wish to indulge in while visiting the region, there is plenty to keep you occupied. The area features a 102 kilometer (63 miles) greenway, known simply as Via Ardèche, which can be used by cyclists, walkers, runners, rollerbladers, etc.
Much like in America with its “Rails to Trails” programs, the greenway is built atop existing rail lines no longer in use. This is an ongoing project, so the trail is opening in phases. Eventually, it will, most likely, become much longer and encompass a larger area. But in addition to road cycling, the Cévennes d’Ardèche region also has areas to satisfy mountain bikers and gravel riders.
16 Easy to Moderate Routes To Choose From On The Via Ardèche
The greenway, however, is not about just cycling. There are also the activities riders can see and do along the way, such as geological wonders, Medieval towns and villages with hotels, bed and breakfasts, and farm to table restaurants.
That said, cyclists have 16 routes they can choose from to ride that are rated from easy to moderate. All of them are fairly short from 5 kilometers (3 miles) up to 30 kilometers (18 miles). But for the more athletic rider who likes a challenge and wants to take on a longer distance, there is a ride called La traversée Cévenole that is 133 kilometers (82 miles) with 1,080 meters (3,500 feet) of altitude gain.
This ride is labeled as a three day ride. At the end of the route, riders pick up a train and travel back 33 kilometers that passes through tunnels and viaducts to where they started the route at La Bastide-Puylaurent. If you’re really ambitious, you might be able to ride this route in one to two days.
Last Thoughts
Les Cévennes d’Ardèche looks to be a great place to indulge in a relaxed, active vacation on your own, with your romantic partner, or even your family. If a big European city like Paris seems too stressful, a trip to the south of France will allow you to experience the real France with its scenery, villages, and people.
The greenway appears to be open year-round, but I’m sure the spring, summer, and fall months probably have a steady flow of visitors. So, check out the website and find what type of adventure you want to do.
If you are going to cycle the greenway, you’ll encounter lots to see along the way. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take on that three day, 82 mile ride with the reward of a train journey at the end. Whatever you decide, bike riding through the south of France seems like a lovely way to see a part of France most people don’t experience.
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Bicycle Day Trips - Bicycle Travel: Events, Rides, Destinations, Other Cycling Topics 
