Every July for three weeks the Tour de France winds its way through French town and country, capturing the hearts of citizens who line the roads to cheer the peloton. In most train stations in France the SNCF rents bicycles for a modest price. They can also transport your bicycle on most trains. Relaxing on a Slow Boat Less than a century ago France's network of canals and navigable rivers comprised 12,000 kilometers and attracted worldwide admiration. Today, with commerce that demands the greater speed of more modern forms of transport, the waterways have become the province of the leisure traveler.
Numerous enterprises offer houseboats and barges for rental to vacationers.
Even those without boating experience can manage the pace of a gentle cruise along a tree-lined canal. The automobile is a comfortable and efficient means of travel in France. Roads are well-maintained and the road network is one of the most complete in the world. There are 8,000 kilometers of limited-access roads called autoroutes . French driving habits and driving laws differ from those in other countries, however, so if you plan to rent a car in France, it is advisable to learn a few things in advance.