Cycling the River Somme

Looking for a low-carbon, affordable holiday? Try one of the many cycle paths in France, suggests Lewes Climate Hub volunteer Sue Fleming, reporting from Picardy. Plus Cycle Lewes members list their favourite websites to help plan a cycling holiday in France.

This year, we have chosen the hundreds of kilometres of peaceful, tree-lined cycle paths all along the River Somme. Travelling through nature reserves, twisting in and out of dragonflies, and insects. So much food for Swifts everywhere! Indeed, sitting in a street restaurant tonight we’ve been admiring the huge number of the birds screeching around the town – it must have been the teenagers out for the night!

For us, a ferry return with the e-bikes from Newhaven to Dieppe cost just £68. Then once you land in France, there are so many choices of direction.

French overnight accommodation has so far been way superior and cheaper than the equivalent in England. This time of year, camping would also be a good option. The only thing we are missing is a plentiful choice of Lewes coffee shops but refill water seems universally accepted.

Today we did 50 miles (although normally it’s closer to 30) so we’re covering a lot of miles, continually surrounded by water and woods and fields.

The ‘spaciousness’ of France always surprises me. So much to recommend it.

Lewes cyclists’ favourite websites to plan a French cycling trip

https://en.francevelotourisme.com/who-are-we

https://en.eurovelo.com/#routes-and-countries

https://www.france-bike-trips.com/

https://www.cycling-lavelodyssee.com/cycle-route

https://www.avenuevertelondonparis.co.uk/cycle-route

Plus

• Paper Avenue Verte maps and guides are available from DFDS ferry port in Newhaven.
• There is also a new ‘tourist office’ in Newhaven Marine Workshops which has some useful guides for France.
• The Sustrans website sells a detailed guide for the Avenue Verte in A5 format for planning and using en route click here