Guides du Cycliste en France: De Paris à Toulouse et aux Pyrénées
Contents
- An introductory section explaining how the guide is organised into sections from town to town, how distances are given (partial, not cumulative, measured church to church), how road conditions and hotels are indicated, and which maps are recommended. It also includes tables of sunrise and sunset times, the weights of objects a cyclist might carry, practical notes on the machine, the road, hotels, the traveller's hygiene and accidents, administrative regulations, and railways.
- Covers the 686-kilometre main itinerary in twelve sections running from Paris through Dourdan, Orléans, Romorantin, Châteauroux, Argenton-sur-Creuse, Limoges, Uzerche, Brive, Souillac, Cahors, and Montauban to Toulouse, with an excursion to the châteaux along the Loire. It details the route, distances, sights, hotels, and mechanics in each town along the way.
- Covers the 385-kilometre itinerary in seven sections from Limoges through Saint-Yrieix, Périgueux, Bergerac, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Agen, and Auch to Tarbes. It gives the roads, distances, points of interest such as Périgueux and Brantôme, and accommodation along the route.
- Covers the itinerary from Limoges to Perpignan in lettered sections A to H, passing through Uzerche, Tulle, Aurillac, Rodez, Albi, Castres, and Carcassonne. It describes the roads, climbs, distances, and notable towns and sights along the way to the Mediterranean.
- An overview of the Pyrenees mountain range, its length and highest peaks, glaciers and lakes, explaining that cyclists can best see the chain by following it from Perpignan to Bayonne either deep through the mountain valleys and passes or along the edge of the plain. It advises on the best season (June to September), the dangers of steep descents and the need for a good brake, and includes a glossary of regional Pyrenean terms.
- Covers the lowland route across the foot of the Pyrenees in sections 1-P to 9-P, running from Perpignan through Quillan, Foix, Saint-Girons, Saint-Gaudens, Lannemezan, Tarbes, Pau, and Orthez to Bayonne. It details the roads, distances, sights, and lodgings, with this being the easier of the two ways with better roads and shorter climbs.
- Covers the mountain route through the Pyrenees in sections 1-M to 10-M, running from Perpignan through Prades, Belcaire, Tarascon-de-l'Ariège, Saint-Girons, Bagnères-de-Luchon, Luz, Lourdes, Oloron, and Mauléon to Bayonne. It describes the harder, more scenic itinerary over the high passes and valleys, with their roads, distances, and accommodation.
- An alphabetical index at the end of the volume listing towns, villages, hamlets, rivers, passes, and other place names mentioned in the guide, each with its page references. It also follows tables of the distances from Paris to Toulouse, Tarbes, and Perpignan.