The Big Blue: Part II

Today was an absolutely exceptional day on the bike. We rode 61 km of uninterrupted cycle paths, often far from busy roads, stretching all the way between Cavalaire-sur-Mer and Toulon. The route follows a former railway line that has been beautifully transformed into a cycling path. Along the way, we were treated to stunning views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, weaving through pine trees and eucalyptus groves. For anyone looking for a truly lovely cycling itinerary, this one is an absolute must.

To top it all off, we hopped onto a small boat with our bikes to cross Toulon’s harbor and reach La Seyne-sur-Mer. Tonight, we’re camping in the Janas forest. We could have cycled the whole way, of course, but we have this little tradition of always including at least one boat ride with our bikes on our cycling trips. So naturally, we kept it alive today.

The transformation of this old railway into a cycle path has created a genuine living space, perfectly integrated into the surrounding nature and local environment, full of flowers and greenery. It’s shared by joggers, rollerbladers, walkers, and cyclists alike. The path connects multiple towns seamlessly over dozens of kilometers, which must have required real coordination and shared vision to bring such a project to life. At one point, I found myself thinking that someone, somewhere, had this truly brilliant idea, and actually made it happen. Just like the wonderful cycle path in Nice, or the decision to ban trucks from passing through the city of Nice. It really shows that local leaders can make thoughtful, impactful choices when it comes to urban planning. If only there were more of them.

Tomorrow, we’ll leave the Mediterranean coast behind and head to Aix-en-Provence by train and bike, where we’ll spend Sunday with our friends Aude and Joel. Very much looking forward!!