Our favourite cycle routes in France (1)

Linking Notre-Dame de Paris, ground zero of the roads of France, to the marvellous perched abbey of the Mont-Saint-Michel by crossing the Chevreuse Valley, the hills of the Perche and Maine regions and then the Normandy hedgerows... This is what promises you a great show! Over 450km of signposted routes, you will come across the history of France and some of its most beautiful monuments, such as the Château de Versailles and the sublime cathedral of Chartres. Via pretty greenways and quiet roads, the Véloscénie is certainly one of the most beautiful bike rides starting from Paris. So take your time!

La Véloscénie

With Mont Blanc in their sights, the most athletic will tackle the legendary passes of the Alps like the riders of the Tour de France. Electric assistance is not forbidden but beware, the Grandes Alpes Route by bike is not something you can improvise! With a slightly gentler relief, the Auvergne and its old volcanoes are easy on the calves. Old railway lines that have been converted into greenways, such as the Via Fluvia between the Loire and the Rhône, and the Dolce Via, 90km through the heart of the wild landscapes of Ardèche, are a delight to stroll along. From Lyon, capital of the region and food capital of France, the banks of the Rhône can be enjoyed along the ViaRhôna. Don't miss the section between Vienne Condrieu and the Île du Beurre nature reserve. Roman remains, terraced vineyards of the famous AOC Côte-Rôtie and verdant orchards make the miles go by with ease.

The ViaRhôna The Route des Grandes Alpes The Via Fluvia The Dolce Via The Voie Bleue

There's no better way to explore Burgundy, its vineyards and its climats, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, than on two wheels. Between vineyards and canals, gentle hills, art cities and villages with world-famous appellations, bucolic greenways and flat towpaths bring the Tour de Bourgogne within pedal range. One route among others? From Auxerre to Dijon, the Burgundy canal is a royal road, a blue thread running for 215km past chateaux, locks, cellars and remarkable sites, such as Alesia and the Pouilly vault, as well as the green valley of the Ouche.

Visit Burgundy by bike The Tour de Bourgogne à Vélo

Small ports, large lighthouses, capes, cliffs, dunes, beaches... Cycling along the Breton coastline offers a great breath of fresh air. From Roscoff, from the Abers region and the beautiful Finistère, you can cycle a section of the Vélomaritime to the Mont-Saint-Michel. Via the Pink Granite Coast and the spectacular Capes d'Erquy and Fréhel, Brittany has a lot to offer. But it also has some nice surprises inland, along its canals and former railway lines that have been converted into greenways. The Nantes-Brest Canal, with its flower-filled lock houses and peaceful stops around Lake Guerlédan, is a favourite. The Ille et Rance canal is also the best way to get to Saint-Malo and Dinard in complete peace and quiet.

The Vélomaritime The canals by bike The Nantes-Brest Canal