The Area

Gastrobiking Holidays are based in a small village on the edge of the Vercors National Park which lies between Grenoble and north of Provence.

The surrounding area offers a variety of terrain including flat, hilly and mountainous circuits. The roads are amazingly quiet (even during the July and August as the locals are on holiday) and exceptionally well maintained.

For the weekend cyclist there are numerous circuits over a variety of terrain. The sports cyclist is treated to an unrivalled playground offering flat, hilly and mountainous circuits on roads which are frequently used in the Tour de France.

The traffic free roads and lanes and relative lack of tourists ensure you will have a real French experience.

Click here for a Michelin map of the area (you can even zoom in and out).

The cycling can be divided into three main areas:

The Vercors - The Wild Country

The Vercors offers spectacular cycling. To the east of our base, the Vercors National Park has over 400 miles (600km) of scenic roads. Some wind their way through natural forests whilst several others have been carved in a quite outrageous manner into the walls of several gorges.

Known as the 'Gateway to the Vercors', St.Nazaire is ideally situated for exploring most of the Plateaux. The climbs are long but not as severe as those in the Alps and the Pyrenees. The gradients are mostly between 5% and 7% and our local knowledge enables you to climb the gentler ones and descend the steeper ones. Of course, if it's hard climbs you want, we know where they are. Our base is at 170 metres and the climbs in the Vercors are mainly to between 1000 and 1400 metres. This normally means that we do most of our climbing in the morning, so that you can enjoy your lunch in the knowledge that it's all downhill on the way home.

The Vercors has a long tradition for being an area for outdoor pursuits. It hosted many events in the 1968 Winter Olympics and has the largest cross-country skiing area in Europe. It is a popular walking and fishing area.

Over the centuries the Vercors has been renowned outlaw country and during World War II it provided a natural fortress for the French Resistance who, in 1944, took on the might of the occupying forces. There are numerous memorials across the Plateaux, including the ruined village of Valchevrieres and the impressive Resistance Museum.

Drome les Collines - The Rolling Hills

Although not as dramatic as the Vercors, the area to the north-west of Saint Nazaire is a very picturesque area for cycling and is a favourite area for many of our regulars. Several of our guests have likened it to Tuscany. Sleepy stone built villages dating back centuries are interlaced with numerous quiet roads over undulating terrain. The gentle gradients can be appreciated by those who aren't natural hill climbers but you'll still be surprised by the altitude you gain.

There are fantastic views over the Vercors especially in May and June when there is still snow on the jagged peaks. On clear days there are vistas over the main Alps (including Mont Blanc), the Ardeche and the expanse of the Rhone Valley. There are many historic churches and the Abbey of St.Antoine, with it's Gothic architecture, is not to be missed, not the mention the honey and walnut speciality in the Creperie.

The Isere Valley - The Flatlands

It's not all hills and the Isere Valley has its fair share of quiet country lanes winding through orchards of cherry and walnut trees. It's a great area for spinning the pedals and just cruising along stopping somewhere nice for lunch on the way.

Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is a popular excursion. An hour in the car and you can be timing yourself against the likes of Lance Armstrong and Pantani.

The Ardeche

You can head over to the Ardeche for yet another different type of scenery. It's possible to ride all the way there but if you take the car for 30 mins you can have a great day out.

Links to other websites

Steephill tv travelogue features video footage and photos of some of the gorge of Combe Laval and the cliffs at Presles both of which are within 10 miles of our base.