Durant le mois d'août, mon amie et moi même partons visités l'ardèche à vélo.
Etant de la région nantaise, le transport s'effectuera en train+car jusqu'à aubenas.
Nous avons plannifié un parcours (une boucle pour être plus précis : Aubenas-Antraigues sur volane-Thueyts-Joyeuse-Vallon pont d'arc-Aubenas) sur 3 semaines.
Tous ces noms de villages sont mis en avant dans beaucoup de sites internet.
C'est donc la raison pour laquelle notre périple est telle qu'indiquée ci-dessus.
Ma question est la suivante, ces villes sont-elles vraiment aussi attrayantes qu'indiquées dans les brochures touristiques?
Avez-vous des lieux/villages a nous conseillé autres que ceux indiqués?
Par ailleurs, je suis, à lors actuel, en recherche d'un logement insolite ou de caractère ainsi que d'un très bon restaurant (tout en simplicité - sans chichi, mais très charmant et très bon, cuisine régionale si possible), près d'aubenas.
L'anniversaire de mon amie est le 16 Août.
Nous avons décidé de partir d'Aubenas, le 17 Août.
Mais avant notre retour, je souhaiterai lui offrir une magnifique dernière journée en pays ardèchois.
Je vous remercie par avance de vos réponses.
Cordialement
Moi à ta place j'éviterais VALLON PONT D'ARC au mois d'août, plus d'eau dans l'Ardèche et du monde en veux-tu en voilà. Reste dans la montagne ardéchoise, la partie cévennole : fraicheur et peu de monde.
Je suis matif de la région. Tu peux passer par tous ces villages qui sont tous pitorresques de la région en enpruntant de petites routes secondaires à faible traffic ou traffic mesuré (pour la saison du mois d'aout). Le nord sera plus tranquille que le sud mais le paysage y est très différent. L'épicentre de la folie furieuse touristique se trouve à Vallon Pont d'Arc et sa région. Mais tu sera tranquille dans la vallée de l'ibye ou à lagorce. Oublis les gorges de l'ardèche en cette saison et revient au printemps ou en automne.
Attention aux zones isolées (eau) et prends garde au soleil qui tape fort (même en haute Ardèche).
Les incontournables de la région :
Plus dans le nord Ardèche :
Aubenas, Vals-les-bains, Antraïgues (impératif), St Eulalie (Mt Gerbier des joncs) et toute la région assez "désertique" et surtout plus calme en plein mois d'Aout.
Plus dans le sud Ardèche :
Les vans, Banne (impératif), Berrias, Casteljau (bois de païolive), grospierres (résurgence) , Ruoms, Labeaume (impératif), Chauzon, Balazuc (impératif), Rochecolombe (impératif), Vogüé.
Plus proche de Vallon Pont d'Arc :
Sampzon, Lagorce, L'incontournable vallée de l'Ibye (résurgences) entre Vallon et villeneuve de berg et bien sur les gorges de l'Ardèche et vallon pont d'arc à fuir en plein mois d'aout.
Restaurants :
Tourisme de masse oblige bcp de snack, pizzeria et panini à tout va qui ettoufent nos bons vieux village qui perdent de leur superbe chaque année un peu plus. Tu trouvera un excellent restaurant au dessus des vans (Chassagnes) à l'auberge de chanaleilles (standing moyen mais très bien) tu y mangera des choses simples et bonnes typiquement ardéchoises.
A Labeaume, village incontournable mais très prisé aussi, en prenant soin de réserver, tu mangera une très très bonne cuisine familliale et artisanale au bèque-figue. Menu et carte très limitée mais la qualité et l'authenticité passent par là.
bonjour
je m'étais aussi intéressé à ce trajet, mais la SNCF ne transporte pas les vélos sur le parcours nantes/valence.
comment fais-tu pour emporter ton vélo ?
Je vais me mettre à étudier toutes vos pistes avec beaucoup d'intérêt.
Il est vrai que nous ne sommes pas très friand de la populace.
Du coup, une réorientation serait peut être la bienvenue.
Pour répondre à ta question bouaye, notre trajet est nantes - massy (TGV avec vélo accepté mais supplément)/massy - valence (TGV sans vélo accepté)/valence - aubenas (autocar).
Pour la partie massy - valence, il te faut une housse de transport à vélo.
Exemple: http://www.rueduvelo.com/pro-housse-velo-pro-housses-transport-equipements-33679-665-6-38.z.fr.htm
Ce qui permet à ton vélo d'être considéré comme un "bagage à main" et là c'est autorisé et sans supplément.
Pour en revenir au cadeau MAGIQUE de mon amie, si quelqu'un d'autres à des adresses (resto avec cuisine ardéchoise + chambres d'hôtes dans maison typique) à me conseiller (aux alentours d'aubenas), je suis preneur.
Le tout dans une simplicité absolue.
merci pour le renseignement. C'est bien ce que je craignais : le vélo en bagage, ça veut dire qu'il faut le démonter, ce n'est pas très pratique quand on arrive à destination.
Pour répondre à ta question, j'ai passé 15 jours l'an dernier à St Pierre le Déchausselat, à une trentaine de km d'Aubenas ; très bien, très calme, et un restaurant très particulier, basé sur une coopérative (il faut adhérer pour 1 € symbolique avant de pouvoir manger). C''est vraiment pas cher, c'est très bon et basé sur des produits strictement locaux, et le cadre est magnifique. Problème, comme ils ne font pas ça pour l'argent, ils ne prennent pas beaucoup de réservations, et il faut absolument téléphoner longtemps à l'avance (et je n'ai plus les coordonnées, mais de toute façon, c'est le seul commerce à St pierre !!!).
Mais vraiment sympa : ils te laissent la bouteille sur la table et te la remplissent à volonté... et les quantités sont respectables. Beaucoup de coins sympas pour se baigner dans les environs, et rien à voir avec la cohue de Vallon (qui, malgré tout, est quand même un joli coin à voir aussi).
Merci pour vos réponses et conseils de trajet.
Je vais me mettre à étudier toutes vos pistes avec beaucoup d'intérêt.
Il est vrai que nous ne sommes pas très friand de la populace.
Du coup, une réorientation serait peut être la bienvenue.
Dans les zones à fort tourisme il te suffit de passer par les endroits "juste à côté" qui ne sont pas prisés par le tourisme de masse. Typiquement à Vallon Pont D'arc éviter le centre village après 9h du mat et toute la route des gorges. Mais dans l'arrière pays de vallon tu découvrira des trésors de beauté (vallée de Libye, lagorce etc. etc.)
Pour en revenir au cadeau MAGIQUE de mon amie, si quelqu'un d'autres à des adresses (resto avec cuisine ardéchoise + chambres d'hôtes dans maison typique) à me conseiller (aux alentours d'aubenas), je suis preneur.
Le tout dans une simplicité absolue.
Merci encore à vous
A proximité immédiate d'Aubenas ce sera plus dur, car Aubenas est un pôle de développement économique local qui rend les restaurants "classiques" plus prépondérants que ceux correspondants à ce que tu cherches. Mais il ne doit pas être impossible de trouver une chambre d'hôtes dans laquelle on mange bien... Il faut viser les petits villages alentours, je serai tenté de dire en allant par la route de Joyeuse ou celle de Vogüé au départ d'Aubenas.
Concernant le démontage/remontage du vélo, Bouaye, ce ne sont que les 2 roues à démonter.
Je pense que nous ferons quelques randonnées vers les Vans. Nous essayerons donc de passer vers St Pierre le Déchausselat et jusqu'à Thines (il m'en a été dit que du bien). Merci pour l'info.
Sims, j'ai bien noté tes 2 adresses de resto avec recette locale, au menu.
Je te remercie, pour tes conseils.
Il est sûr qu'une de ces 2 adresses verra notre bout de nez.
Je pensais m'orienter vers la seconde adresse, mais malheureusement, cela se situe trop loin d'aubenas.
Pour un départ le lendemain, je pense que cela risque d'être trop compliqué.
Du coup, je pense réservé à Lanas (3ème adresse).
Je pense que nous ferons quelques randonnées vers les Vans. Nous essayerons donc de passer vers St Pierre le Déchausselat et jusqu'à Thines (il m'en a été dit que du bien). Merci pour l'info.
Hello,
Je suis en partie originaire de ce petit village. Il est magnifique et très chargé en histoire. Visite le mémorial : une fresque sculptée à l'arrière du village en mémoire du massacre perpétré en représailles par les militaires Allemands. Mon grand père me racontait toujours qu'il y avait échappé. De Thines tu peux rejoindre Monselgue qui est aussi très joli.
Voyager à vélo › France › Rhône-Alpes / Sud-Ouest · 4 replies
J'aime bien le cinéma catastrophe mediterranee.france3... Je sais, il y a d'autres trucs plus dangereux, mais ce petit coin de paradis est à éviter de 100 à…
Sur cette vidéo vous aurez des points de vue magnifiques sur ma ville et en particulier de l'un de ses quartiers les plus typiques avec ses immenses séries…
Voyager à vélo › France › Est / Rhône-Alpes / Centre · 1 reply
Cet été nous avons choisi avec ma copine de partir en vacances en vélo. je pense que cela peut etre une merveilleuse expérience. pour débuter en matière de…
Hi,
can anyone give us some tips on how to get to North Cape from Lyon Gerland?
What’s the best route to join the EuroVelo 7?
How many kilometers is it from Lyon to North Cape via EuroVelo 7?
The best month to leave—we’re thinking early May.
Thanks for any advice!
Another long-time dream of Claudio’s: the Petit Mont Cenis pass and the dam at the eponymous lake.
A place where many Italians, including my father, worked in the 1950s–60s.
Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne → Lanslebourg → Petit Mont Cenis → return. 315 km, 3 days. Bivouac at St-Michel-de-M.
Brouter link
Leg One: Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne
Leg Two: St-Michel → Lanslebourg → Mont Cenis Lake → St-Michel
Leg Three: St-Michel → Faverges
And it finally happened in August 2026: in the Maurienne Valley about the famous cycle route known as the V67
17 days, 1,400 km, and 17,500 m of elevation gain cycling in northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳 🚴🇻🇳
From the misty Fansipan to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop, from remote villages to vibrant markets...
I cycled through the north of the country, getting up close with its people—through mud, heat, endless mountain passes, and unforgettable encounters.
Most importantly, I discovered a Vietnam far different from the usual tourist circuits.
Join me on this adventure through a video that captures these 17 days of travel. :)
If Vietnam calls to you, come ride a stretch with me!
🇷🇼 Cycling in Rwanda: 4 episodes, an off-the-beaten-path adventure
After 3 weeks and nearly 1,200 km by bike across Rwanda, I made 4 videos to share this adventure in a different way: the landscapes, the encounters, the villages… but above all, all those incredible scenes of everyday life.
The 4 episodes are available here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGnfbxjccWAg
The 4th episode focuses on rural Rwandan life: simple, authentic, and sometimes surprising scenes that you only truly discover when you take the time to travel by bike.
If you have a few minutes, let yourself be transported to Rwanda…
Hi, I'm looking for info on cycling to Nordkapp via the EuroVelo 7. Has anyone done it already, and where’s the best place to start the EuroVelo 7?
Thanks
Hi,
We bought the MSR bike tent model (2-person + large awning that can fit 2 bikes) back in 2005. It’s served us really well, especially during a year-long trip in Africa. Now, one of the poles is broken, and we’d love to replace it since that’s the only issue with the tent—we still love it! The poles are 9.35 mm in diameter, with 8 sections of 49 cm and 2 sections of 28 cm. Total length when assembled: 416 cm. Actually, two large sections are broken: one straight and one curved. It’s a pain to find replacements since this model is no longer sold anywhere.
Would anyone have this model lying around unused and be willing to sell me a pole?
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience:
I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore.
Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike to meet some friends in Côte d’Ivoire in early November.
I’ll be starting in Abidjan and heading to Abengourou, which is close to the Ghana border.
I’d like to take the trails. Does anyone have recent info on eastern Côte d’Ivoire?
Any tips, safety advice, or must-see stops? I’m open to all suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Fx
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc
PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.