Why cycle cafes are a growing hit in France

It is a concept that already popular in England - and now cycle cafes are finding a foothold in cycling-mad France.

And no wonder, as they combine two of the country's best-loved pastimes: cycling and drinking coffee.

These are places for cyclists to rest and have a chat with like-minded folk. They are also places to get your bike fixed, or pick up a lock or a new pair of lights - even a new bicycle, if the mood takes you. Whether you are into mountain bikes, road bikes or more niche forms such as gravel bikes or adventure bikes, there is always a discussion to be had over a cappuccino and a slice of cake.

One of the latest cycle cafes was opened by a pair of anglophone expats in Bordeaux.

The combination of coffee, cake and cycling seems to be winning over the French so let's have a look at a map of the best cycle cafes in France.

Café du Cycliste

Nice, 16, Quai des Docks, 06300

Upmarket cycle wear brand with a coffee shop to go with it. Bringing a typically Cote d'Azur class to the market and notably one of the first bicycle cafes in France. Insta: @cafeducycliste_style

http://www.cafeducycliste.com/where-we-ride/le-cafe/

Musette bicycles & coffee

Bordeaux, 72 Cours de la Somme, 33800

Opened by two anglophone expats in Bordeaux. Offers espresso coffee, bicycle repairs, Genesis vélos, and a vegetarian menu.

https://musettebordeaux.com

La Cyclerie Café

Poitiers, 60 Bis Boulevard Pont-Achard, 86000

Opened in a former garage in Poitiers.

Le Café-Vélo

Grenoble, 59 Rue Nicolas Chorier 38000

One of the original cycle cafés in France.

http://www.cafe-velo.fr/

Un Vélo Pour Tous

Périgueux, 7 avenue Daumesnil

Cycle café, bar and bike-hire in the town centre.

http://unvelopourtous.fr/

Cycles Get Lost

Lille, 84 Rue de Cambrai, 59000

Original name and also offers cycles for sale.

http://www.cyclesgetlost.com/cyclegetlost/acceuil.html

Jour de Vélo

Paris, 41 rue de Citeaux, 75012

Recently opened in central Paris.

https://www.jourdevelo.fr/

Steel Cyclewear & Coffeeshop

Paris, 58, rue de la Fontaine au Roi, 75011

The store front for their magazine in a chilled Parisian neighbourhood. There is no workshop but they have cycling accessories, including socks.

http://shop.steelmagazine.fr/magasins

La Bicycletterie

Lyon, 16 Rue Romarin, 69001

One of the first cycle cafés to open in France and still going strong.

http://www.la-bicycletterie.com/

Café Vélo

Agen, rue du Duc d'Orléans, 47000

Recently opened in a renovated water treatment building in Agen. Offering everything a cyclist could want - including beds, as they also run a hostel perfect for tired-out riders at the end of a long day.

cafe-velo.net