Cycling holidays

I've been thinking about taking a cycling holiday this year, probably in France, but can't decide whether to 'go it alone' (that is, just turn up with my bike, start cycling, and see what happens next!) or to actually book a cycling holiday where the routes are all laid out for me. Or even whether France is the best place to go - or maybe Tuscany or somewhere else?

Problem is, when I look at these organised cycling holidays it seems they are targetted at reasonably 'inactive' cyclists. Often the organised tours seem to only do about 30 miles a day, even in the flatter parts of France, so I guess a lot of time is spent looking around markets and castles and stuff like that rather than cycling. They also cost quite a lot.

So the other choice, where I just turn up with a bike, sounds good. I can manage to mend a puncture or tighten a spoke, and presumably I would always be able to find a bike shop somewhere if I have a really big problem? Does anyone know if that's true? Otherwise what do I do if I'm miles from anywhere and have a big problem?

Next question, where to go? I want to cycle about 75 miles a day, some hills but not mountains (I'd be too chicken to come hurtling down a mountain track on my own, even if I made it to the top in the first place). I also want to be hot but not baking hot (I can cycle early in the morning if necessary), and must be somewhere pretty scenic but without too many cars around.

I know Provence and the Dordogne pretty well and think they are about right with quite long but 'fairly gentle' type hills. The big roads in those places have a bit of traffic in the summer but I think it would be easy to find routes a bit off the beaten track without much difficulty.

When I look at the websites offering cycling holidays in France they often go to these areas, sometimes also the Loire Valley and Brittany. Are there any other areas that I should think about? Someone told me the Auvergne (in the middle of southern France) was good for cycling, but it looks pretty hilly and I don't know if the weather is reliable enough!

Other question, am I best planning a route and trying to book a different hotel for each night or just booking a gite for the whole week (or fortnight) and setting off in a different direction each day? That way I figure I don't have to carry loads of stuff everywhere, and if I take a day off (or cycle further than I expect) it won't mess up all the days that come later.

Most likely I'll be travelling with wife and children so it would be best if there was something to entertain them as well, and they are not at all interested in cycling. Sightseeing, history, swimming, restaurants etc is more what they are interested in.

Anyway, I'd love to hear any suggestions for places to go, great cycle routes or anything else that will help me sort out a cycling holiday for this summer.

see also Dordogne Cycling