Your children may not jump with glee when you suggest a nice summer holiday in a cottage in the French countryside, but there is still plenty to do. The south of France offers up plenty of great places like Alpilles, Cannes, Marseille, Nice and St Tropez. Each of those places will provide great culture and history whilst been surrounded by a glorious landscape that waiting to be explored.

One idea for families is to explore the great outdoors in the south of France, so why not head into a bike shop and hire bicycles for the family, this way you can reach further and still take in the serenity of France.

If you are heading to France particularly to enjoy a biking trip, as many do, then you should consider heading to the likes of Alpilles with long mountainous regions with plenty of public trails. You could cut costs on your holiday by purchasing a mountain bike online rather than paying the sometimes pricey rental or retail costs of local suppliers.

Of course the south of France is so much more than beautiful countryside as it also has a relaxing way of life and an intoxicating culture that you will enjoy submerging yourself into. Museums, landmarks and shops selling local handmade products are just some of the delights that await those considering spending an unforgettable summer in France.

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Cycling in France is very well supported by people of all ages. No doubt the famous Tour de France cycle race has added to the popularity. The French have made cycling even more accessible to its people by the numerous dedicated cycle paths provided throughout the country known as veloroutes.

Taking a cycling holiday through France will provide the cyclist with a sense of peaceful tranquillity. With the added attractions of chateaux, breathtaking countryside with its gorges, valleys and hilltops, make this the ideal way to do this. Many of the sights are easily missed if travelling by car and the slower moving cyclist can appreciate the surroundings all the more.

The veloroutes give access to the centre of the countryside, using the green ways or voies vertes. They take the cyclist through country lanes, canal towpaths and converted rail tracks. The cyclist feels a sense of safety on the green ways as all motorised vehicles are banned.  Bicycles can be hired from the many outlets on the routes.

There are parts of France that are so quiet and peaceful that it is a rarity to see a motor car. This is ideal cycling territory and many enthusiastic cyclists will pass along the way. Part of the pleasure is stopping for lunch at one of the many small hotels and villages and savouring the excellent local food and wine.

Many hotels offer a service whereby luggage is transported by them, leaving the cyclist unhindered and free to ride and enjoy the scenery. These hotels cater solely for the holiday cyclist.

Another holiday ride to consider is the French Alps route and here are some of the most breathtaking views to be seen, with climbs like Alpe d’Huez and Col de la Croix der Fer to enjoy. Other climbing routes on offer are the Col d’Aspin and the Col de Portet d’Aspet, both situated in the Pyrenees.

The holiday cyclist should plan his route carefully as there is so much to see. Each area and village has its own attraction like Roquefort cheese, Armagnac brandy and Gaillac wines and a poorly planned holiday could mean many of these are missed.

If the cyclist does not feel up to a vigorous mountain bike holiday, then he may consider the more gentle approach and there are areas that cater for the family group as well as the novice. One such area noted for its family friendly cycling holiday is Brittany where many of the routes are flat.

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The resort’s champions, accustomed to snowboarding and freeriding, thrill the crowds in summer with their mountain biking exploits. In 2008, 170 daredevil downhill bikers took part in the K Bourre at the Saint-Lary Mountain Bike Park.

Just one year on from the opening of its Mountain Bike Park, Saint-Lary is imposing itself as a mountain biking venue.

With all the experience gained from its snowpark, the Pyrenean resort opened this excellent Mountain Bike a year ago. With wooden bike tracks and a route that respects the initial layout of the land, the Saint-Lary Mountain Bike Park is fully integrated into the landscape!

Trails to suit every one, small and big time racers alike: from downhill family trails of around 6km (ideal for a ride with children), to courses resembling real competitive circuits, secure, fully equipped and well laid out – a total of some ten waymarked trails in Saint-Lary 1700 and Saint-Lary 1900.

A unique concept of its kind! “We designed the Mountain Bike Park along the same lines as we did the ski slopes and snowboard park”, a spokesperson from the Tourist Office explained. Accordingly, just as in winter, the ski lift operates continuously throughout the day, providing access to the Mountain Bike Park trails.

Rates: 3.5 euros for the ascent, 10 euros for a day pass, 30 euros for a 10 trip pass

As the flagship resort in the Pyrenees, Saint-Lary is just a few kilometres from the Spanish border and one hour away from Pau and Toulouse airports (with flights from London by Easyjet or Ryanair). For more information, please visit: www.saintlary.com

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Parc Floral de Paris, a site within easy reach of the wide array Paris Hotels, will play host to the celebration.

A number of pavilions will be set up to showcase the newest innovations in cycling, while a conference hall is to provide visitors with the chance to view, discuss and purchase a wide array of bike accessories.

Meanwhile, practice slopes give guests the opportunity to try out some of the latest models, while specially-constructed circuits are available for people keen to engage in something a little more sedate.

A number of demonstrations will also take place, providing spectators with the chance to see some of the cycles in action.

Guests can attend Paris Bike Days between 09:00 and 19:00 local time on each day of the showcase.

Tickets for the event cost €8 for adults and €5 for children, while youngsters under the age of three are able to enter for free. A number of concessions are also available.

For those heading to Parc Floral de Paris to watch the show, LateRooms.com offers over 360 Hotels in Paris. Here you will find a wide variety of hotels that range from cheap hotel to more exclusive boutique hotels.

The Malte Opera is in the Opera Neighbourhood and is offering its standard double rooms from a £100 a night. The hotel Malte Opera offers 64 rooms and duplex apartments. This hotel has received some fantastic reviews and as a result has an average customer rating of 5/6

The discreetly luxurious Villa Opera Drouot which is in the heart of Paris and the Opera area has double rooms from £160 a night which is a saving of £198 off the normal rack rate!

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Price includes return Eurostar train travel (London), all transportation, seven nights’ B&B and the services of a tour leader. There are available departures 13 & 20 September, 2008.

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