Accueil Vélo Test

What cyclists need

Cyclists are usually undemanding guests and cheerful visitors. After a successful and stressless ride in the sun, they are in a good mood, hungry and thirsty and just want to eat, drink and sleep well afterwards. From their hotel, guesthouse, campsite or restaurant they expect to be able to store their bikes easily and securely. Pedelec (electric bike) riders will want a socket to charge their batteries. Offering cyclists a warm welcome can also mean providing a good quality air pump and a set of tools for those minor adjustments. Hotels and restaurants should definitely provide these.

Bett + Bike

In Germany, there is the “Bed+Bike” (Bett und Bike) label, which regulates exactly what a bicycle-friendly hotel, guesthouse, campsite, holiday flat or even restaurant should provide. A distinction is made between bed and bike accommodation: hotels, guesthouses, inns, guesthouses or hostels with cycle-friendly service, bed and bike camping, bed and bike holiday flats and bed and bike sports. 

Nine countries (Germany, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria) are affiliated to Bett und Bike. Unfortunately, France is missing from this list. 

Accueil Vélo

In France, the label is called “Accueil Vélo” and it includes not just accomodation options but also Tourist Offices, Museums, Vineyards and others. You find he official site for “Accueil Vélo” here.

Deep down in their menu we found a link that we strongly recommend to use. It brings you immediately on the map you need for our area. 

To be listed in “Accueil Vélo” suppliers have to guarantee these special conditions

• Being within 5km of a cycle route
• Having adapted equipment for cyclists: secured bicycle shelter, repair kit
• Benefitting from a warm welcome (useful information and advice (routes, weather, etc…)
• Having services adapted to cyclists: luggage transfers, washing and drying of linen, bicycle rental, bicycles washing…

We have compiled a list of “Acceuil Vélo” providers. Unfortunately, we found that there are a number of businesses that either do not meet these five requirements or do not bother to list them on their website. Over time we are going to check out some of them to find out what is actually the case. Until then you will hopefully find what you need with what we can provide you here. 

You can also look at:

La Méditerranée à Vélo and read the explanation we got from them: “on the map, tick off the desired service providers (accommodation, hire company, repair shop, restaurant, places to visit, tourist offices, leisure facilities, etc.)” 

and also Visit Var can help you.