From the book

Route 1 – Lake Geneva to Caen

Morges (Switzerland) to Ouistreham Riva-Bella. About 800km. September 2007.

The first of our rides came about when a friend of mine had the idea of riding his bicycle back from his Swiss holiday home, instead of putting it on the back of the car, and wanted company. His wife, calculating that she would get bored waiting for him to catch up, preferred to drive home.

Once we got over the Jura and I retrieved my underwear from BA, we enjoyed the ride, which took us through Burgundy and along a quiet stretch of the Loire on our way to Normandy’s D-Day beaches and the Caen ferry. Highlights were a wine tasting pause half way up the Côte de Nuits near Beaune, dinner at Marc Meneau’s restaurant L’Espérance in Vézelay; and Guédelon, a medieval castle in the making between Burgundy and the Loire.

Route 1 map: Lake Geneva to CaenOpen the map in Google My Maps

Information:

Jura: www.franche-comte.org

Burgundy: www.crt-bourgogne.fr

Loire: www.visaloire.com

Normandy: www.normandie-tourisme.fr

Swiss trains: www.sbb.ch

Ferries: www.brittany-ferries.co.uk

…’nor were we the slowest on the road….’. Near the Doubs/Jura border

Lost in France. Unmatching socks saves decision making agony in the morning. The black sock goes on the left foot, obviously — Lost in France. Unmatching socks save decision making agony in the morning. The black sock goes on the left foot, obviously

Hautes Cotes de Nuits and new-season moux chez Marcillet at Fussey

Vezelay was the mid-point of the line we drew across France and L’Esperance was our halfway house — Vezelay was the mid-point of the line we drew across France

Guedelon. Due for completion in 2023 unless they introduce the 35 hour week before the end of the 13th centuiry. These pictures were taken in Sept 2007. The fort must be quite a bit taller by now. This horse was brilliant at reversing in to a parking space — Guedelon. These pictures were taken in Sept 2007. The fort must be quite a bit taller by now. This horse was brilliant at reversing in to a parking space

Squirrel cage, with human squirrel inside. The horse has forgotten to reverse — Guedelon wellness centre; treadmill. The horse has forgotten to reverse

Route 1: Lake Geneva to Caen

Stories from this route

Route 1

Dinner with Marc Meneau

Cycling and motoring itineraries differ in this respect: car tours are constructed around points of special interest – sightseeing or eating; on a bike…

Route 1

Guédelon

Guédelon gave us our sightseeing surprise of the week: a medieval castle under construction in the middle of nowhere, using only medieval materials and…

The book

France on Two Wheels, by Adam Ruck

Six long bike rides for the bon vivant cyclist, published by Short Books in April 2012 and reprinted (with a few corrections and updates) in March 2014. This site is a companion and extension to the guide.

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