Читать книгу The Loire Cycle Route. From the source in the Massif Central to the Atlantic coast онлайн

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TGV Sud-Est high-speed trains run from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Lyon and on to Marseille. Most trains on this route, particularly those serving Marseille, do not carry cycles; however, there are a few services each day which call at Lyon, Valence and Avignon that have a limited amount of cycle accommodation with mandatory reservation (€10). Details can be found and bookings made at the SNCF (French Railways) website, www.voyages-sncf.com

Provision of cycle space on European trains is steadily increasing, and up-to-date information on travelling by train with a bicycle can be found at a website dedicated to worldwide rail travel, ‘The man in seat 61’: www.seat61.com

By air

Airports at Lyon (three trains daily taking 30 minutes to Valence Ville), and Marseille (hourly service taking 2 hours to Valence Ville or three trains daily taking 4–5 hours to Langogne via Nîmes), both served by a variety of international airlines, can be used to access the Loire source. Airlines have different requirements regarding how cycles are presented and some, but not all, make a charge, which you should pay when booking as it is usually greater at the airport. All require tyres partially deflated, handlebars turned and pedals removed (loosen pedals beforehand to make them easier to remove at the airport). Most will accept your cycle in a transparent polythene bike-bag, although some insist on use of a cardboard bike-box. Excess Baggage Company counters at Heathrow and Gatwick sell cardboard bike boxes (www.left-baggage.co.uk). Away from the airports, boxes can be obtained from cycle shops, sometimes for free. You do however have the problem of how to get the box to the airport.