It’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with France while watching Le Tour. Between the stunning countryside, enchanting villages and world renowned vineyards, you’re sure to be inspired to take a tour of your own. Peregrine offers two self-guided, fully supported cycling tours in France. Each tour includes accommodation, luggage transfers, detailed route notes and maps, bike and helmet hire.

Obviously, it needn’t be as gruelling as Le Tour and you can take the pain factor down a notch by making some leisurely stops along the way. After all, there's no point whizzing past all that divine scenery without stopping to smell the roses…or the lavender, as the case may be.

On the 7-day Cycling Through Provence tour you’ll pedal your way through spectacular vineyards and perched villages, exploring some of the most enchanting country side in Provence. Beginning in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue you’ll cycle to the foothills of Mont Ventoux, famous for its role in the Tour de France; bask in some of Provence’s most picturesque villages and ride amongst world renowned vineyards before finishing in the Roman capital of France, Vaison la Romaine.

The Cycling Through Provence tour costs $1,495 per person twin share and includes 4 nights comfortable hotels, 2 nights guest house accommodation with breakfast each morning.

Or perhaps you’ll be tempted to cycle the lush landscape of the Loire Valley, with its fairy tale Chateaux. On Peregrine’s 6-day Cycling the Loire Valley you’ll taking winding roads past vineyards and through forests that spill out on to grand estates. The terrain is flat and the cycling is easy. This tour starts and finishes in the charming town of Blois.

Cycling the Loire Valley tour costs $1,295 per person twin share and includes 5 nights comfortable hotel accommodation with 5 breakfasts and 3 dinners.

Because these tours are self-guided they do not include the services of a tour leader, but your luggage will be transferred each day to your next hotel. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.  Both tours operate for a minimum of two people and depart on a daily basis between March 1 and October 31.

Phone Peregrine on 1  300 655 433 or visit www.peregrineadventures.com