Newly inaugurated cycle paths in the southern Italian region of Puglia are attracting French holidaymakers as cycling becomes an increasingly popular vacation activity. A total of 22 million French citizens practice cycling during their holidays, taking advantage of expanded bicycle routes established across Europe in recent years.
Among those visiting the region are French travelers Jeanne and Thomas, who spent 150 euros for a bike ride through the Apulian countryside. Their excursion began in the paved cobblestone alleys of Gallipoli, winding through rural landscapes to the sound of birdsong before reaching the outskirts of Taranto.
Expanding bicycle networks in southern Italy
The cycling trip was featured in a travel report by French television news service TF1info during the weekend edition of TF1's 1pm news broadcast. According to the network, the combination of newly completed cycling paths and scenic rural landscapes provides ideal conditions for a dream holiday in southern Italy.
Puglia, located in the southeastern heel of the Italian peninsula, is a major destination for Mediterranean tourism. The region is recognized for its flat coastal plains, historic agricultural countryside filled with ancient olive groves, and mild climate, making its rural roads and dedicated cycle paths well suited for extended bicycle touring.
The route followed by Jeanne and Thomas spans the Salento peninsula, connecting two prominent historical settlements along Italy's Ionian coast. Gallipoli features an old town constructed on a limestone island with narrow stone streets, while Taranto, situated further north on the Gulf of Taranto, is an ancient port city originally founded as a Greek colony.
Growth of cycle tourism across Europe
Cycling has become one of the most widely practiced recreational activities for French vacationers, with 22 million people engaging in the sport during their annual holidays. In recent years, national and regional authorities across Europe have invested in dedicated cycle paths and greenways designed to separate bicycle traffic from motor vehicles and connect historic towns with surrounding rural landscapes.
TF1, France's primary private television network, regularly broadcasts feature segments on European travel destinations during its flagship 1pm weekend news program, which reaches millions of viewers nationwide. The broadcaster reported that new cycling infrastructure in Puglia offers all the necessary elements for holidaymakers seeking an outdoor getaway on two wheels.
