Motorbiking and Exploring the South of France

For bikers, it’s well-placed for riding in any direction. There are fantastic roads nearby wherever you look – north towards the Cevennes, north-west into Lozère (and the viaduct de Millau), west towards the Lac de Salagou, then on into the National Park of Haut Languedoc and the wine regions of St Chinian, Faugères, and along the coast to Pezenas.
Lac de Salagou

Pezenas is another place popular with visitors and retirees. It’s a lovely old town steeped in history with narrow streets and charming shops. It is not far from the coastal resort of Cap d’Agde, famous for its nudist village.

The coastal plain from Beziers to Perpignan has fewer green roads than further north in the mountains. One of the prettiest, however, goes through Bages which is a delightful little fishing village set on a lagoon. The roads along the coast riding on south are mainly spoiled by endless tourist resorts.

However, things look up again on the other side of Perpignan, well situated for forays into Spain, when you reach Collioure. A jewel of a town, its fort stands proud over the sea and its narrow streets are ideal for idling away a few hours. For the keen biker, the coastal and inland roads towards the frontier are a joy to ride. They twist and turn, offer superb views, and an exciting challenge. From Banyuls-sur-Mer, the last town in France is Cerbère where the international train stops. Then you’re in Spain and a whole new world of fantastic roads opens up to you.

I’ve taken you from the east to west, showing you the beautiful spots that are among my favorites in the South of France. I’ve tried to indicate possible retirement locations too, especially from a biker’s point of view, and pointed you in the right direction to explore this beautiful region on your motorbike or bicycle. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

 
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